Full stomachs and full hearts at Doughboy Dash

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 5/21/15

With the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky, over 300 people participated in the Third Annual Iggy’s Doughboy Dash Sunday afternoon, benefiting the A-T Children’s Project.

The two-mile …

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Full stomachs and full hearts at Doughboy Dash

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With the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky, over 300 people participated in the Third Annual Iggy’s Doughboy Dash Sunday afternoon, benefiting the A-T Children’s Project.

The two-mile race, which looped around Oakland Beach, had a pitstop halfway where runners had to eat a dozen mini-doughboys before racing to the finish. Some were strategic eaters, sipping water while eating, while others tried to just shove them down.

Altogether, the dash raised more than $33,500 for the A-T Children’s Project.

The non-profit organization supports medical research for A-T, or ataxia-telangiectasia, and the funds raised by the dash will primarily benefit the research being done at Johns Hopkins. The researchers and doctors at Johns Hopkins work with A-T patients from all over the world and work closely with local doctors with A-T patients.

A-T is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive loss of muscle control and can have similar symptoms to various other conditions such as cancer, immune deficiency and cystic fibrosis.

Cathy Martin, the race coordinator whose son Andrew has A-T, explained that currently there is neither a cure nor a treatment for A-T.

She said, “Although rare, we can learn a lot from A-T because everything we learn indirectly impacts the research for other conditions.”

She said if the money raised helps the doctors at Johns Hopkins learn one or two things new about A-T then it is all worth it.

Martin came up with the idea for the Iggy’s Doughboy Dash after seeing something similar, the Krispy Kreme Challenge, and has since seen the local race grow every year. She wanted the race to be something fun and family-oriented so that everyone could be involved.

Martin has been friends with the owners of Iggy’s for a long time, and when she approached David Gravino he quickly jumped on board for the race. The race has been held in Oakland Beach for the last three years and starts just behind the new Iggy’s Boardwalk location.

“You can’t find a more supportive and charitable family,” Martin said. “Even during all their transformations and construction last year they made it work, and now they are letting us use these facilities before they even have.”

Both David Gravino and his sister, MaryAnn Gravino Soares, were honored with a plaque after the race for their dedication to the dash and the A-T Children’s Project.

Gravino said he is happy to play a “small part” in raising money for such a deserving cause.

“Giving back to these families, this cause and just the community who has helped us be who we are today is important to us,” he said.

Gravino Soares said it has been amazing to watch the race grow every year for a cause that is “close to their heart.”

Members of the Warwick Police and Fire Departments came out for the event, as did Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Father Robert Marciano, Councilwoman Donna Travis and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian.

“Mayor Fung and I have enjoyed being part of both Doughboy Dashes,” Avedisian said. “Not only do we raise money for charity but I get to highlight Iggy’s, Oakland Beach, and the city as a whole.” 

Martin said, “They don’t have to come out, there aren’t huge prizes, but they always do and it shows they really care.”

This was also the first year the Doughboy Dash allowed participants to raise money as teams and the top two teams were both schools, Holliman Elementary School with $335 and Warwick Veterans Leadership Academy, raising $622.

“That says something about the kids in our community. The have sports and extracurricular activities, but they still made the time and effort to help us raise money,” Martin said.

She said every year the event gets more fun and she is so appreciative of the Warwick community who may not even know about A-T and still come out to support the Children’s Project.

“What a great community we live in to see so many come out,” Martin said. “Plus, it’s doughboys, how can it be anything but a fun day.”

For more information on A-T or to make a donation to the A-T Children’s Project visit www.atcp.org.

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