b'SPRING 202125Rock N Race moves to Memorial FieldSome changes are coming to the annual RockWhile the event may look different thisLast years live Rock N Race was canceled N Race, which traditionally draws thousandsyear, it will still offer music and take-homebecause of the pandemic, but thanks of walkers and runners to downtown Concordrefreshments, and, most importantly, theto founding donors Norm and Melinda to support important services for Concordopportunity to honor people with cancer,Payson and 1,000 runners and walkers who Hospital Payson Center for Cancer Carepast and present, by raising funds for HOPEparticipated in a virtual Rock N Race, the patients and their families. Resource Center, said Susan Chase, Concordevent raised more than $310,000.The 2021 Rock N Race is scheduled for MayHospital Trust Senior Philanthropy Officer. Realizing the pandemic would reduce 22, with a live run and walk starting andThe Rock N Race is important to theparticipation, the Paysons matched donations finishing at Memorial Field instead of thecommunity and to Concord Hospital becauseup to $150,000 from their private foundation, Statehouse. The 5K race is scheduled to takemoney raised from participants and sponsorsensuring the events success and maintaining place in the morning, with the walk in thesupports Payson Centers HOPE Resourceimportant HOPE Resource Center services.afternoon. Payson supporters also can chooseCenter. HOPE provides more than 1,000Since 2003, Rock N Race, sponsored by a virtual run or walk.patients a year with programs and servicesMerrimack County Savings Bank, has raised Memorial Field was chosen because it offerssuch as social work, nutritional counseling,more than $3.8 million for Payson Center.plenty of space for social distancing and othercomplementary therapies and funds for out-state and CDC COVID-19 guidelines requiredof-pocket expensesall at no cost to patients for road race and outdoor events.'