Remembering A Renaissance Runner: Scharfman Memorial Run Sunday

Paul Roberts first noticed Dan Scharfman on a hot, summer day in August several years ago.

Scharfman could hardly go unnoticed.

With temperatures in the 90s and the humidity oppressive, Roberts saw this lanky man happily running on Leonard Street, sans shirt and wearing "tiny little running shorts" as he strode through Belmont Center. 

"It was ungodly weather and I though, 'That guy is just crazy'," said the Cross Street resident, an accomplished runner in his own right. 

Soon after, Roberts would know Scharfman as a fellow IT pro, a running partner and a "really good friend." Roberts learned that despite Scharfman's tendency to go off on legendary training runs of 20-plus miles, he never ran a marathon until he reached 50. 

"That said something about his personality. He ran for the enjoyment of running. He loved the outdoors and running was a way of tapping into that," said Roberts. 

He also witnessed his passion for the town schools with his commitment to the district's performing arts program – he was a well-respected singer and classics major at Brown – and later, after his election to the Belmont School Committee, taking an analytical approach on the committee that revamped the student activity fee structure.

"He was a leader in many areas but one who was able to listen to others concerns and apply them to create a better result," said Roberts.

So when Scharfman died a week after suffering a heart attack in January, Roberts and Dan's large collection of friends didn't have to look far on how to memorialize him.

Why not, said Roberts, combine his athletic endeavor with his commitment to improving education in Belmont?

This Sunday, Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m., Roberts – who is on the race committee – will join up to 500 runners in the inaugural Dan Scharfman Memorial Run, a five kilometer (3.1 mile) race and a mile "jog" that will honor and remember Belmont's running renaissance man.

"We're now in execution mode for the race," Roberts said. Registration is going "really, really well" with 450 people registered for both races. And with as much as 20 percent additional runners coming on the day of the race, Belmont could see nearly 600 runners and joggers pacing up and down its streets. 

"That's pretty incredible," he said, thanking the Brendan Grant Foundation which runs its own annual race on Father's Day in June.

Volunteers are still needed for the race Sunday as course workers and other functions. Learn more here.

The proceeds of the race will be presented to the Foundation for Belmont Education to support the Dan Scharfman Education Innovative Fund and the Innovative Teaching Initiative.

The initiative – which provides up-to-date technology such as iPads to students and staff while providing continuing education for educators in using the new devices – combines two of Dan’s passions and education priorities: professional development for teachers and school technology. 

"What he brought to his job on the School Committee was a very methodical, analytic 'Let's look at all sides of a question'-type of approach," said Roberts. "So Dan looked at technology in the classroom as how can we best use after listening to administrators and staff recommendations rather than just putting it out there," said Roberts.

The 5K race – "A really great course," said Roberts – will start at the track on Harris Field at the High School, cross Concord then head up hill on School Street to the Cambridge Reservoir then back down to Oakley and Goden to Clay Pit Pond and back to the track. 

"The idea was wrap around schools around the course, the Chenery, Burbank and Wellington, in honor of Dan's commitment to education," said Roberts.

With nearly 500 runners and joggers already registered – on-line registration has been stopped – the only question is the weather on Sunday. So far, "the weather Gods have been good to us" with predictions of no precipitation and temperatures in the 40s, said Roberts.

"We're looking for a great first year which will set us up for a great second, third and fourth and then help establish a great fall tradition in Belmont," said Roberts.