The Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center (the Reggie) at Roxbury Community College (RCC) kicked off its 30th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, April 5, 2025, with a Road Race at Franklin Park. The event featured a 4.2-mile run, or 2.1-mile walk, along with other family-friendly activities, to bring the community together in support of health, wellness, and athletic excellence. Over 175 attended to formally begin the 30th Anniversary Celebration and honor the legacy of Reggie Lewis.
The Road Race was the start of a series of fundraising activities aimed at augmenting the Reggie’s current fitness and community offerings, and creating new programs to further support the community. Although Back Bay and Roxbury are two miles apart, there is a 23-year difference in life expectancy for people living in the two neighborhoods. The Reggie is helping address this health inequity as the home of health and wellness in Roxbury and beyond.
“The Reggie is much more than just a track; it’s a full-service athletic complex that offers fitness and health programming for the entire community,” said Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson, President of RCC. “The discrepancy in health access and equity within the small distance between the greater Roxbury community and the Back Bay area is astounding and unacceptable. The funds raised today and through the rest of our 30th Anniversary events will help us to drive even more progress toward this goal.”
Thanks to the generosity of Abbot, the top two male and female finishers received bibs to the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) 5K later this month. In addition to the race, members of the community were able to enjoy the morning in Franklin Park while spending time with their families.
“Health and wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all or siloed to a certain age group, which was a huge motivator in making the Road Race also centered around family fun,” said Executive Director, Business Development & Marketing, Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. “As we look at the future of the Reggie, we’re excited to build out programs and classes to broaden what people can try, how they exercise, and how our community approaches well-being overall.”
The Road Race was also made possible through donations from State Street and the Lewis
Family Foundation, and in-kind sponsorships from New Balance and AK’s. To learn more
about the Reggie, its 30th Anniversary celebration, and upcoming events, visit www.rcc.mass.edu/reggie30.
