James Joyce Ramble Returns To Dedham - Perhaps For Final Run

DEDHAM, MA - On Sunday, the rhythms of runners' feet and the prose of James Joyce will interlace as Dedham celebrates the 37th James Joyce Ramble for what could possibly be the last time.

The 10K race will attract at least 200 professional runners from around the country, as it is the USA Track & Field National Masters race, according to race organizer and founder Martin Hanley. During its history, it has attracted as many as 2,000 runners.

This year, the Ramble is the only USATF championship race in New England. It is the eighth time in the race's history that this distinction has been earned.

"The first race was run in 1984," Hanley, who grew up in Dedham, explained. "This was back when running was becoming really popular.

"I was out doing a lot of road races at the time," he continued. "Some were good, but some were half-baked. At every single race, they would play the theme song from the movie 'Chariots of Fire.' I talked with my friends and thought we could do something a little more compelling."

The race, which begins at the Endicott Estate at 11 a.m., always features costumed actors reading from the works of Irish author James Joyce at markers. This year is special because it is the 100th anniversary of the publication of "Ulysses," a Joyce classic. Every registered runner will receive a ribbon and a free book.

Joyce was also a political activist. For this reason, Hanley said that each race highlights the condition of a human rights activist. This year, it is in honor of Gui Minhai, was sentenced to 10 years in a Chinese prison in 2020 for opening a bookstore.

"I think this is a heritage race," Hanley said. "It resonates with people in many different ways."

There also will be a children's races called the North Star Kid's Ramble beginning at 9 a.m., broken down into different age groups. The children’s races are held in the field adjacent to the greenhouse on the corner of Walnut and Mount Vernon Streets. They are being co-sponsored by the The Blue Bunny Bookstore and its non-profit partner, the Reynolds Center for Teaching, Learning and Creativity, as well as the Dedham Library Innovation Team.

A fundraising walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute also will be held.

Blues musician Johnny Hoy will be playing with his band, the Bluefish, at the Endicott Estate after the race. Local restaurant Blue Ribbon BBQ will be providing the food, and Jack's Abby craft lagers can be sold to patrons over age 21.

Hanley, who used to work in the film and broadcast industries, said the race has undergone some challenges over the years. The biggest one was trying to hold the race only six days after the Boston Marathon bombing nine years ago.

"On the Tuesday or Wednesday of that week, we didn't know what to do because the person who set off the bomb was still on the loose," Hanley said. "We are only about 10 miles away, so we didn't know if we would be a target."

This year, the challenge has been the ramifications of COVID-19. Several members of his volunteer team have either died from the virus or currently have it, according to Hanley.

"We have been losing a lot of our friends," he said. "I am about to give it up. Trying to finance it has become a little too much to bear."

Sponsors have dwindled as businesses have been hard hit by the pandemic, he added. Hanley said that he will finance much of the race, an event which costs about $50,000, on his own. The Norfolk and Dedham Group and National Amusements are two of a handful of businesses sponsoring the race.

"I hope it is not the last one, but if it is, I want to go out on my terms," he added. "It may be time to pass on the torch."

He added that he hopes that some runners who stayed in Boston after the marathon will participate.

Steve Vaitones, the managing director of USATF, said that the sport has been evolving. While more people prefer 5K races now, he said this contest is attracting athletes from track clubs from Oregon, California and Michigan, to name a few.

"The masters, who are in the age 40 and over division, get a five-minute head start," Vaitones said.

He added that sponsors have been reluctant to back races in general over the past two years because they could be canceled due to the pandemic.

"It's also hard for a local road race like this," Vaitones added. "A lot of people are coming from around the country, so they won't be patronizing a local coffee shop that is a sponsor, for example. I give Martin a lot of credit for keeping this race going because it's always well done and has a festive atmosphere."

Find race and entry information at ramble.org.