Credit: Courtesy of the Shanley family
The Erin Shanley Memorial Foundation will hold its 15th annual 5K race and 1-mile walk on Sunday, Aug. 18, at the Lions Club Pavillion on Stissing Lake Road. This event benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has become a beloved tradition in the community, regularly drawing over 100 participants from near and far.
The event honors Erin Shanley, a talented student-athlete from Stanfordville who died in a motor vehicle accident in 2004. Erin was a junior at Stissing Mountain High School and was well-known for her accomplishments both on and off the field. In 2003, she earned All-State honors as a center/midfielder on the field hockey team and was the Mid-Hudson Athletic League Player of the Year. Erin’s mother, Val Shanley, fondly recalls her daughter as “helpful, happy and someone who just knew how to live life.”
The idea for the race originated from Erin’s love for helping others. At the age of 10, she gave $25 to St. Jude’s during a WRWD fundraiser. The radio station announced the names of donors on air and Erin, thrilled to hear hers, contributed every year. Inspired by her giving spirit, the Shanley family, along with close family friend Tim Reynolds, organized the first memorial race, in 2008, with proceeds from registrations going to St. Jude’s. Initially held at Hunn’s Lake, the event later moved to the Pine Plains Lions Club for better safety and parking.
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the race continued, with participants running solo, submitting their times and still receiving their commemorative T-shirts. That option remains available for those unable to come to Pine Plains; they can run a course of their choosing and contribute to the cause.
The event features a post-race breakfast and a raffle, which was introduced in 2022 and quickly became a favorite among participants. Last year, the foundation had its most successful year, raising $14,000. It has already taken in $6,000 this year, thanks to sponsors including County Fare, Crown Energy, Stanford Lions Club and All Star Dentistry.
Credit: Mike Manning
The 5K race and 1-mile walk are family-oriented events with categories for men, women, boys and girls. Winners in each category will receive gift certificates as prizes. WRWD, a long-time partner of the foundation, will provide music and continues to honor Erin through its annual radiothon, which features a dedicated “Erin Shanley Hour” every March.
Reynolds, who now lives in Ithaca and who still serves as the event’s coordinator, reflected on its significance: “Keeping Erin’s memory alive in the community is incredibly important to us. It’s an amazing way to bring the Pine Plains and Stanfordville communities together while supporting a cause that was close to Erin’s heart.”
It costs $10 to register for the 5K, $5 to enter the 1-mile walk and $5 for the breakfast. Participants can also make an additional donation for an Erin Shanley Memorial T-shirt or tank top. Those interested in joining can register on race day between 8 and 8:45 a.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion.