FALMOUTH UNVEILS MONUMENT TO ROAD RACE, WALK FOUNDER TOMMY LEONARD
CAPE COD TIMES
FALMOUTH — The enduring legacy of Tommy Leonard and his impact on Falmouth has long been secure: founder of the Falmouth Road Race in 1973; co-founder of the Falmouth Walk in 1991; untold gifts of kindness and charity to the community.
And now, as an exclamation point to keep Leonard’s memory alive for generations, a Tribute to Tommy celebration culminated Friday morning with the unveiling of a stone monument honoring him at the entrance to Town Hall Square on Main Street.
Leonard passed away in January, 2019, at the age of 85, leaving legions of friends and fans of running.
The pink granite rock set in a small garden is about 40 inches high and includes a St. Louis Cardinals bronzed baseball cap (Leonard’s favorite team) affixed to the top with a plaque reading:
“This memorial is dedicated to one of Falmouth’s legendary citizens. Tommy was co-founder of the Falmouth Walk and founder of the world famous Falmouth Road Race. A renowned barman by trade, he spread good will & happiness throughout the community with his friendship and philanthropic spirit. Your day of duty well done, Marine. Semper Fi.”
In keeping with state pandemic protocols, yesterday’s event was limited to 50 guests, who wore face masks and Tommy Leonard buttons made for the occasion and maintained social distance.
The impetus for the tribute was coordinated by Tom Walrath, president of the Falmouth Walk, with vice president Russ Pelletier and longtime friend Eddie Doyle. Falmouth selectmen approved the monument in March and later in the spring OK’d the naming of a crosswalk in front of the Quarterdeck Restaurant, adjacent to the square, in Leonard’s honor.
Leonard was a longtime bartender and raconteur at the Quarterdeck, unofficial headquarters of the walk. During yesterday’s festivities an open window at the “QD” had a pint of Sam Adams beer on the sill as a spiritual toast to a beloved man.
The crosswalk dedication is scheduled for next August in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the walk.
Falmouth Road Race Inc. contributed to the cost of the project and other donations were received from groups and individuals. Walrath also credited town officials and departments for their support.
Among those on hand for the ceremony were Scott Ghelfi, president of the Falmouth Road Race board of directors; road race director Dave McGillivray; former Boston Marathon director Guy Morse; and Frank Shorter, the Olympic marathon gold medalist in 1972, silver medalist in 1976 and a two-time Falmouth champion.
“I knew right away when I met Tommy so many years ago that he was a genuine person,” said Shorter. “He was humble and authentic. He never asked for anything, other than for you to help him create greater good.”
Leonard’s dream of a local road race was borne out of watching the 1972 Summer Olympics on TV while tending bar at the Brothers 4 in Falmouth Heights. He was inspired seeing Shorter run to victory through the streets of Munich and had a vision of one day getting him to run a race on the Cape.
Leonard enlisted the organizational expertise of Rich Sherman, the town’s recreation director at the time, and John Carroll, a teacher and coach at Falmouth High School. Together they created a spectacle recognized as one of the best short-distance races in the world.
The first Falmouth was run on Aug. 15, 1973 — Leonard 40th birthday — and he was one of 92 finishers. Two years later he got his man. Shorter ran, and won, the 1975 and ’76 races. He has returned to run many years since.
After establishing the road race on a global scale, Leonard returned to his roots and co-founded the Falmouth Walk in 1991 with Doyle to support local charities. The event attracts nearly 1,000 — Shorter has participated in several — and is now a central part of the road race weekend.
“I miss Tommy every day, but with this tribute and monument he’ll be remembered always,” said Doyle. “He’s all around the town now and will be with us forever.”
Pelletier said Leonard had a gift of bringing people together. “He was like a magnet and you always felt good being around him.”
Said Walrath: “I know I’m a better man for having known Tommy.”
Leonard was saluted as Falmouth’s Citizen of the Year in 2009. In 2012 he was honored with a plaque at the Captain Kidd Restaurant in Woods Hole noting the Tommy Leonard Start Line. There is a Tommy Leonard bench at the ball field in Falmouth Heights, adjacent to the road race finish line. It’s inscribed:
“Thanks Tommy for making people happy.”