Captain Gerald F. DeConto Memorial Scholarship

Thank you to our past participants and welcome to those of you who are new to our race and scholarship fund!  Our annual 5k Run & Walk supports the Captain Gerald F. DeConto Memorial Scholarship Fund. Captain DeConto, a Sandwich MA native, was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Thanks to your generosity we have been proudly awarding scholarships in Captain DeConto's memory since 2002. 

The 5k starts with a brief memorial tribute at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday September 22, 2024 at Stop & Shop Plaza 65 Rt 6A in Sandwich, MA. The course is a scenic 3.1 mile route around the Sandwich Marina and beach area finishing back at the Stop & Shop Plaza. Runners and walkers are welcome. Runners will leave the starting line first with official timing by Spitler Race Systems of Pawtucket RI. Virtual option also available (run or walk anywhere/any time on 9/21 or 9/22).

#DeContoRace2024

Participants can register online, by mail or in-person.
·       For online registration please see the Sign Up tab.  
·       For mail-in registration please visit www.geralddeconto5k.com for forms and instructions.
·       In-person registration and t-shirt/bib pick up will be held at Stop & Shop Plaza 65 Rt 6A Sandwich, MA on:
              Saturday September 21, 2024 11am to 2pm
              Sunday September 22, 2024 7:30am to 8:30am
(Please note that online registration for the in-person race ends at 8:00pm EDT on Sept 21st.  You can still register in person before the race on Sept 22nd.)

Donations to our scholarship fund can also be made online, by mail or in-person.  For online donations and mail-in instructions please see the Donate tab. To donate in person please visit us at our registration table during one of our registration events listed above. We truly appreciate your support and generosity!

Thank you for your interest in our race and memorial scholarship fund! For more information visit www.geralddeconto5k.com

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Race & Scholarship Fund History: Captain DeConto, a Sandwich MA native, was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon while on duty in the Navy Command Center. At the time of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon, Captain DeConto was in direct communication with the Secretary of the Navy coordinating the Navy’s response to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Captain DeConto was a dedicated Naval officer who was respected and admired by those he served for, by those he served with, and by those who served for him.

Captain DeConto was a high-spirited, caring person who enjoyed many activities, one of which was running, and he enjoyed them most when they were shared with family and friends. His Navy career took him all over the world, but he returned home to Cape Cod whenever he could and he spent the weekend before 9/11 in Sandwich with family and friends. The Captain Gerald F. DeConto USN Scholarship Fund was set up in his memory to honor him and the legacy he left behind which is one of service to his country, leadership, friendship, and love of life and family. It is his family’s hope that through the scholarship fund Captain DeConto will continue to influence the lives of young people and that his memory and the ideals he believed in will live on.