This summer, Thomas Rivier ’28 and Ryan Wilson ’28 continued to grow their vision of creating more track race opportunities for runners of all ages and abilities in Concord, Mass. Although their venture, The Sunrise Classic, only got its start in 2024, it’s already showing exciting momentum.
Following in the footsteps of morning starts like The Sunrise Marathon & 5K in NYC that roams the Hudson River Trails and North Carolina’s Outer Banks’ OBX Sunrise 5k Run that runs along the shores of Nags Head, The Sunrise Classic touted itself as a way to “beat the summer heat, and your own PRs by racing in [one of] the only 5K [races] that kicks off at sunrise.”
But for Rivier and Wilson, it was about more than just running. Staying true to their mission of making a community impact, The Sunrise Classic is about inclusivity and community. By keeping registration fees affordable and offering races for all ages and skill levels, the pair created a welcoming environment where everyone—from families and beginners to seasoned athletes—can challenge themselves, connect with others, and share a love for the sport.
That event was made possible thanks to support from the TIA Incubator. Stage gate funding from TIA allowed Rivier and Wilson to take a huge step forward, by establishing The Sunrise Classic as its own nonprofit organization. Becoming an independent entity has made it much easier for them to manage funds, make decisions, and plan for expansion without depending on oversight from an outside party.
The journey hasn’t just been about growing a race, they said, it’s been about growing as leaders. Establishing and maintaining a nonprofit has given Rivier and Wilson hands-on experience with learning the ins and outs of organizing a community event, from securing sponsors and managing volunteers to coordinating logistics, such as food permits, emergency services, and venue rentals. Running social media accounts, connecting with participants, and building a brand around The Sunrise Classic have rounded out an impressive set of new skills.
“The learnings from this experience have been far greater than we could have ever imagined,” they reflected. “These lessons are invaluable and will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”
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