Clinton community to honor longstanding contributors Bob Bonci, Bill Marsh at latest Tribute Road Race

In Clinton, one would be hard pressed to find a finer tradition than the Tribute Road Race in May, a 5-mile event treasured by road running enthusiasts from near and far.

It’s tough to find a tighter-knit community in Central Mass. than Clinton, where it seems everyone knows each other. And the Tribute couldn’t reflect such spirit any better, producing a quality race with a challenging course, all while honoring outstanding citizens who have long-standing contributions to the town.

And this year, on May 14, the Tribute returns to its rightful space in the spring and again is honoring two of its finest, including one who was the face of the race for more than 30 years.

MORE: Looking for a road race in your area? Check out the local Running Calendar

The 43rd Tribute event tips its cap this year to former race director Bill Marsh, a longtime sportswriter for the Item, and revered coach and educator Bob Bonci.

“I don’t know what to say,” the 74-year-old Marsh said. “I really want to thank the Booster Association for honoring me.”

“Bill has been around with me as long as I’ve been a coach,” said Bonci, who retired in 2011 after a 35-year career in the Clinton public schools, mostly at the middle school. “He’s so good to the area, and it’s an honor to be honored with him.”

Since 1980, Marsh, who himself enjoyed a 39-year career in teaching, has covered from youth sports to the pros for the Item. He again was at the Boston Marathon this year, tracking local finishers, including mother-daughter Elizabeth and Emily Helenius of West Boylston. “In a way, they try to keep it amateur, with the runners from your community who run for a cause and for the fun of it,” he said.

Marsh was there with then Item sports editor Bob Doolan when Tribute founder H. Mitchell Gould handed them the keys to the race in 1987. From then through 2019, the Item organized the race, which was followed by fun-filled post-race ceremonies at the Old Timer Restaurant, then the Strand Theater.

“It was a labor of love for all those years,” said Marsh, who has called Clinton home for the last 48 years.

“We had a lot of help,” recalled Marsh, who notes that former Item publisher Frank Hewitt was an ardent supporter and champion of the event. “He did as much or more for the race than I did.”

While under the Item banner, the event raised more than $150,000 for scholarships, which continue to bear H. Mitchell Gould’s name.

After the cancellation of the 2020 race due to COVID-19, the Clinton Gaels Boosters Athletic Association succeeded the Item as operators of the event, and like many other road races in the area, they brought back the Tribute in the fall, in September.

Yet one must remember that with the Tribute comes tradition. The Gaels Boosters have invited Marsh to return as emcee of the post-race ceremonies, a role he and the town cherished for so many years.

“The race was always supported enthusiastically by the youth of the town,” Marsh said. “They loved to come out and compete with each other.”

Such enthusiasm has been shared by more than just the youth. Bonci ran in the event several times over the years, and during his younger days was focused on breaking 40 minutes, a sub-8-minute-per-mile pace over a course that features its fair share of inclines.

“And sure enough, one year I did it — 39:39,” he said. “Made sure I saved the bib and wrote my time on it.”

Born and raised in Clinton, Bonci began coaching in town 50 years ago, when as a senior in high school was recruited to head up the Angels, in Little League minors. Not long after, he was coaching the basketball team at St. John’s School in Clinton, which led to sub-varsity and varsity positions in West Boylston and Clinton.

After coaching at Fitchburg State for 10 years, Tony Gannon coaxed Bonci in returning as JV boys coach at Clinton in 1998, and he’s been there since. In 2021, he filled in for Steve Manguso as varsity coach during the pandemic before returning to his No. 2 seat. Bonci also has been Clinton’s golf coach since 1999.

“Bob’s been so involved, I always can’t wait to do a golf story with him every year,” Marsh said. “He’s been so great with the Clinton student-athletes.”

“I’m so humbled by this honor,” said Bonci, who turns 68 in May. “I’d see people who’ve been honored at the Tribute and thought what great people they are. I’m so grateful to be honored like this.”

For online registration, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Clinton/TributeRoadRace. Registrations can be mailed to Tribute 2022, Clinton Gaels Athletic Booster, P.O. Box 102, Clinton, MA 01510, or drop off registration at Emotionz Graphix & Apparel, 787 Main St. Clinton.

Bonci couldn’t be more excited for this year’s race.

“It’s a fun time” he said. “It’s always a great time and to see people I haven’t seen in a long time. It’s a great community event for our town.”

Besse captures Lyons finale

Hopefully making his first appearance at the Tribute is Templeton running standout Arthur Besse, who’s coming off a victory in last Sunday’s Jay Lyons Memorial 5K.

“I’ve never run that race, but I’ve always wanted to,” said Besse, who has focused his recent training to 5Ks and 10Ks and indicates he could be up for the challenging 5-miler.

Besse, who keeps on thriving as he nears his 50th birthday in August, has won about 100 races big and small, but the Lyons victory always will be close to his heart. The event ran for the 20th and final time, starting and ending at Blessed Sacrament Church in Worcester.

“It was pretty emotional, there was a lot of emotion there, talking about Jay and the six firefighters,” said Besse, who once finished second in his previous three races at the event.

Besse won in 16:58 on even splits, a little more than a month after placing fourth at the Celtic 5K in 16:56. And yes, the Besses have emerged as a masters power couple bringing home the hardware, as wife Heidi was tops in her age group in 22:41.

“Winning that gave me a real special feeling," Arthur Besse said. "I always felt that I could win, and to be there for the last race, that felt very special.”

—Contact John Conceison at john.conceison@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @ConceisonJohn.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Clinton community to honor longstanding contributors Bob Bonci, Bill Marsh at latest Tribute Road Race