~ Malden Musings ~ Irish American Labor Day Road Race 2025

By Peter Levine

“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Maldonian from border to border, coast to coast and all ships at sea. Let’s go to press.”

I ran into old pallies Mike “Boss Dawg of the Boneyard” McCarthy and Brian “Little Brother of Kevin” Killion at the Saint Rock Festa just last weekend, and both reminded me that they and the rest of the boyos at the Irish American will once again be sponsoring their annual 5K/10K Road Race — Monday, September 1st at 10. And once again, praise the (deity of your choice) for Mike (McCarthy)! Although in IA Road Race semi-retirement — he continues to stick his beak into this much beloved tradition — ensuring success for Maldonia and the venerated Irish American Club.

Praise be and thank you also to retired MPD Sgt. Joey Connelly and wife Diane for their invaluable help in organizing this event (Joe’s late mom Chrisine was a big fan of this column, and I was a big fan of hers in return!). When heaping praise, we cannot forget J.P. Kelley and the rest of the MPD men and women in blue who assist on race day. They do a great job and don’t just mail it in either.

The countdown is over, Malden — and the tradition that makes our Labor Day weekend sparkle brighter than WildFire on Saturday night of the San Rock Festa is charging back down the streets! That’s right, Maldonia’s own legendary Irish American Labor Day Road Race is lacing up once again, ready to turn our city into one giant block party on the move. Summer may have folded up its beach towels and drifted into the sunset, but in its wake comes something even sweeter: decades of Maldonia pride pounding the pavement, neighbors-turned-rivals pushing each other past the finish line, and the kind of post-race “hydration” that could make even the driest Labor Day weekend feel like Mardi Gras (or at least, San Rock on a Saturday night!). So, dust off your Chuck Taylor’s, stretch out those hammies and cue the cheers — because the race is back, the streets are alive and Maldonia is ready to run wild (well, some of us, anyway)!

This event is pure Maldonia magic. Whether you run, walk, cheer or spectate with a “refreshment” in hand, it’s one of those traditions that stitches our community together. Brian assured me that registration is easy as apple pie: sign up the morning of (8:30 a.m. check-in) for $40 or beat the rush online at Irish American 5 & 10K Road Race (runsignup.com) for $35. Bonus: Your entry comes with a nifty T-shirt. And don’t forget, prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place across multiple categories: male and female, seasoned pros and weekend warriors alike. Best of all, every penny raised goes to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Every. Single. Cent. Running, walking or just hanging out — you’ll feel boss knowing your day of fun is fueling an even greater cause. And as tradition dictates, don’t be surprised to see road race legends like Mike “Mr. 02148” Cherone, Rick Gately, David Ritchie, Donny “Spider” Lockhart, Al Macy Jr., Marty Gately, Carolann Gabriella, Danny Siraco (just kidding about Danny) and Mayor Gary “The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street Slayer” Christenson pounding the pavement like the champions they are — while the rest of us embrace our well-earned mastery of sideline cheerleading.

Friends, Romans and Malden newbies, lend me your ears; come by and have a great time right here in your very own backyard. Mark this on your social calendar for a fun-filled day of raffles, music, pizza, hot dogs and (of course) “refreshments” (at the always affordable I.A. prices). Once again, this year there will be a really choice disc jockey (Gus Diaz aka DJ Gus) playing a wide variety of music, including, of course, some good old-fashioned traditional Irish bangers (and possibly some karaoke snuck in).

Brian also wanted to stress, once again, that all proceeds will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Every. Single. Penny. No better way to spend your hard-earned cash, knowing that all earnings go to fighting this hated disease.

I gave the Irish American Labor Day Road Race a whirl once upon a time — back when dinosaurs still roamed Main Street, the Highland was serving 500 pies on a Friday night and sneakers weighed about 10 pounds each. Wicked good time, let me tell you! The friendly faces along the route (yes, even George MacKay & Dom Fermano hollering encouragement) kept me moving when my legs begged me to quit. The pain during (and long after) was epic — but so was the fun and the “liquid therapy” that followed.

This year I’ll be back on the sidelines — don’t worry, I’ve officially retired my running shoes — but I’ll absolutely be partaking in the post-race “hydration station.” The very first one (once again) will be raised high in memory of Mike’s late brother, my pal and yours, the one and only Stevie McCarthy. Second round for Mikes late cousin Joe, who would have been 77 last week.

Special thanks to Brandano Plumbing and O’Brien Construction for always stepping up with much needed sponsorship. Also, L&L Services, United Properties, Butch O’Halloran Construction and Scott Fitzpatrick Construction.

Oh, and I’ll be sure to request DJ Gus play at least one Stiff Little Fingers song (“Barbed Wire Love”?).

It is said in “Malden Musings”…

• We get letters…Mike Bartlett remembers “Kennedy’s Butter & Eggs” on the corner of Exchange and Main Streets: “I remember when Kennedy’s burned…or rather the office building above it did. On a weekday afternoon, I was at my weekly drum lesson on Irving Street (I think my lessons were on Tuesdays). I’m guessing it was 1967. What a sight to see. I remember watching a person on one of the upper floors rescued from a window by a fire fighter on a ladder. I heard there was a fatality as well, but I never knew for certain if that was true. Kennedys remained in business after that; the rest of the building was removed. Looked strange after that, since that office building had been about the height of the back [Exchange Street] part of the Jordan Marsh building.” Now sits Walgreens, btw.
• Apropos of nothing…happy 80th birthday to Chuck Goggin, who had a cup of coffee as a utility infielder for the BoSox in 1974 appearing in a total of 72 Major League Baseball games in his career. Most impressive about Mr. Goggin is that he is the most-decorated Vietnam veteran to play in the majors. “Malden Musings” honors you, Mr. Goggin, for your service to your country AND for your cup of coffee with the local 9. Come to Malden someday, I am positive Veterans’ Services Officer Kevin Jarvis will show you just how much we appreciate you and your service to this country.
• “What you are about to read is a matter of human record. Explain it: we cannot. Disprove it: we cannot. We simply invite you to explore with us the amazing world of the Unknown … to take that One Step … Beyond.” So, it was Gary Cherone’s 64th birthday a couple of weeks back (yeah, I know — don’t he look fabulous?!), and my brother Joe is driving to Revere Beach to hang around Victor’s and get a pie at Bianchi’s. No wait, that was 40 years ago! This morning he’s driving to the beach to read yet another biography on Sandy Koufax and catch some rays when suddenly Extreme’s “Rise” comes on his playlist. Two minutes later — while “Rise” is still playing — his adorable daughter Dorothy texts him and asks him if he wished Gary a happy birthday yet! Coincidence? I think not. You decide. Happy birthday, Gary, from all the Levines, Scibellis and every Maldonian who remembers who the heck you are! LOL. Kids today have such short memory spans, dude…fuhgeddaboudit!
• By the way, Extreme were performing in Romania (not far from Dracula’s Castle, btw) the day of G Force’s birthday and played a rocking little tribute to the recently deceased “Prince of Darkness,” John Michael Osbourne aka Ozzy Osbourne. Happy birthday, G Force, Malden is very proud of you!

We get letters…It was very kind of Gerry Abbott to send me this cherished memory: “Aaaah …. Revere Beach of yesteryear. My wife and I came down from Middleton to see Fats Antoine Domino at the Ebb Tide. Tipped the doorman 10 bucks and he gave us seats right next to the ‘stage.’ (or what passed as stage in those days, haha) The area was about the size of a boxing ring located out in the middle of the floor. Guessing it was between 1968 and 1970. It was just big enough for Fats and his piano. The ‘Fat Man’ just played with a smile, performing every request yelled out. That included my favorite ‘I Wanna Walk You Home.’ At intermission, he sat at the bar, drinking and talking to the bar customers. The story goes that afterwards he would play cards in the back room with the bar owner and a few other crooks. The game was rigged. Fats would lose. Maybe lose ‘all of his pay to play.’ Fats would give them an expensive ring off his finger or agree to play a few extra nights to take care of his debt. If you dig hard enough online you can still find the story of ‘Fat’s Domino’s Legendary Performance at The Ebb Tide.’ Thank you, once again, Peter, for letting an old memory come back to make me smile!!”

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — in the blink of an eye, another chapter in the long, proud history of the Saint Rocco Feast has been written — and closed. Hard to believe it was my 58th year standing on the blacktop of Pearl Street, yet every August it still feels like coming home. My love affair with Saint Rocco began on a warm Monday night in 1967, when big brother Joe took me to the San Rock fireworks at Devir Park. I didn’t know it then, but the colors bursting in the night sky would mark the beginning of a lifelong tradition. Back then, the Feast was the summer’s finish line — the moment we all realized that school was creeping up fast. But before we traded shorts for sweatshirts, there was always one last, glorious blowout.

For me — and for so many who grew up in Edgeworth and Ward 2 — it’s the continuity that means the most. The way you can set your inner clock by it: second weekend in August, every year, without fail. It’s an organic connection that lives in our hearts and minds, a living thread that ties generations together. So, Viva Saint Rocco — thank you for another year of memories. And to everyone reading this — see you ALL next year on Pearl Street.

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at Pe*****@*ol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.