When Chuck Adams and Cathy Coutu founded the Don Maynard Memorial 5-Miler in 1995, they had no idea what the race would become. Now, 30 editions later, the annual Greenfield race continues to withstand time, creating a tradition of remembrance and community.

“At first it’s very stressful to put out a race because there are so many boxes to check, but then as you go along I get more excited about doing it now than stressed out,” Adams said. “Race morning is like Christmas morning because everybody comes and everybody is happy and there’s still a few tears and things like that because people still remember him.”

The race, set for its 30th running on Sept. 21, is held in memory of Adams’ friend Don Maynard, who was murdered in his Greenfield home in 1994. Maynard, who was 54 years old, excelled in athletics, biking and running, and often participated in a bowling league with Adams where the two became friends.

After Maynard’s passing, Adams knew there must be a way to celebrate him while commemorating his life.

“(Maynard) was a friend of ours, and when I say ours I mean the running community of Greenfield,” Adams said of his late friend. “... when we heard that he passed away we just said ‘boy, it would be nice if we had some kind of remembrance of him’ and that’s how it started.”

The day includes Maynard’s brother, Clark Maynard, saying a few words in memory of Don.

“(Clark) gets choked up, which gets me choked up, which chokes up half the audience,” Clark said. “It’s been 30 years and it’s still hard to talk about.”

After three decades, the race continues to draw people in, celebrating Maynard’s memory with all proceeds going to the Don Maynard Scholarship Fund. The fund helps to support local seniors across Franklin County, with scholarships awarded in the spring totaling almost $15,000 since the organization was founded.

“It’s a tight community race and it’s a lot of fun,” Adams said. “It’s something that just keeps living.”

The first race on Sept. 23, 1995 brought in about 75 people, said Adams, with steady crowds of 80 to 90 people ever since. Glenn Caffery was the overall winner in the inaugural event, crossing with a time of 27 minutes, 31 seconds. Linda Gavin won the women’s division in 35:48.

Runners take on the five-mile course while walkers take on a three-mile loop. Maynard’s friends show up year after year to watch the runners and participate in the walk, some now in their 80s and 90s. Some come just to watch, appreciative of the outpouring of support. The past 30 years have been spent dedicating one day to a old friend.

Many people show up to run the race without knowing who Maynard is, Adams said. He gladly tells them the story of his friend, leaving a lasting impression.

“If (people) are only in their 20s or early 30s they have no idea,” Adams said. “I tell them the story.”

The 30th running kicks off Saturday, Sept. 21 at 9:30 a.m., taking runners through the Greenfield Meadows and along the Green River. Participants, sorted into age groups, start on the top of Nash’s Mill Road, with runners going one way and walkers going the other. The route takes competitors past Harper’s Store and Bostrom Farm, which double as sponsors of the race. Both local businesses donate a small amount of money toward the race, said Adams, helping it thrive from year to year.

“I think it’s nice that both places we run by are a big hand in this race,” Adams said of the local support.

Registration is available on RunSignup.com and T-shirts will be given to the first 50 participants registered.