Over 300 runners, walkers and wheelchair racers hit the pavement on Sunday, January 5, 2020 to kick off the New Year in our 9th annual SSYMCA George “Trigger” Burke Frozen 5K road race. Participants braved the wind and enjoyed the sun as they helped support the South Shore YMCA’s Annual Support Campaign, strengthening our community by raising funds for financial assistance to ensure the Y memberships, programs and services remain accessible and available to all.
After finishing the race, participants were greeted by another 200 of their families and friends for the post-race party and awards ceremony in the Quincy YMCA Briggs Family Field House, enjoying music and food from local restaurants and retailers including the Inn at Bay Point, Fratellis Pastry Shop, Stop & Shop, Star Market and Home Depot. There, kids and families danced together, played active games and challenged themselves on inflatable obstacle courses and bounce house.
Race Winners
Overall Winners:
Women
- 1st Place: Victora Rocha 18:21
- 2nd Place: Erin Lohrenz 19:25
- 3rd Place: Brenda Greene 20:30
Men
- 1st Place: Patrick Driscoll 16:59
- 2nd Place: Matthew Beaulieu 18:28
- 3rd Place: Ted Coyle 19:50
View all race results and times here: 2020 Frozen 5k Race Results
Last year, the Frozen 5K road race that runners throughout Quincy and beyond have come to know and love was officially renamed the “SSYMCA George ‘Trigger’ Burke Frozen 5K.” Burke and his family were in attendance once again this year to cheer on racers, celebrate, and award prizes to the winners.
Burke has been a strong advocate for the South Shore Y over the years, and ultimately attributes this passion and the soft spot in his heart to the place that helped teach and instill his love for the sport which would forever change his life.
“When I was a young boy, I attended camp through the Quincy YMCA,” said Burke. “I started playing basketball in that gym on Washington Street in the YMCA and ended up with the greatest team ever in the history of basketball. People ask me ‘why do you give to the Y,’ and it’s simple. It’s because they do so much good in our community.”
A pro-level basketball player and esteemed lawyer, the former Quincy High, UMass and Boston Celtics player remains one of only a select few Minutemen to have his jersey number retired alongside names like Julius “Dr. J” Erving. Burke continued to rack up records while wearing green for his next team – the Boston Celtics. He’s received a lengthy list of accolades over time including being named a second team All American, and first team All East, All New England, All Yankee Conference, and All Boston Garden.
After wrapping up his basketball career on the parquet, he finished law school and began his legal career. A former acting mayor of the City of Quincy and District Attorney of Norfolk County, Burke went on to enjoy a successful law career.
He is recognized as a community leader and philanthropist throughout the Quincy and beyond, and is still supporting causes that resonate with him in and around the city he loves.
“George is a community leader through and through,” said Kathy Quigley, Development Director, South Shore YMCA, Quincy Branch. “He cares deeply about Quincy, and that every individual in our community has the opportunity to do better in their life. He’s given so much of himself to so many, and his generous philanthropic efforts have touched more people than we’ll ever know. George believes in the South Shore YMCA, and in the good we are doing in our community. He loves that people can use the Y as a catalyst to embrace their community, and that they receive opportunities here that they likely wouldn’t elsewhere.”
“The Y is a charity and generous donations like George “Trigger” Burke’s help to remove barriers so that everyone can learn, grow and thrive,” said Mary Orne, Vice President of Development, South Shore YMCA. “When you support the Y, your gift changes lives. No matter your level of involvement with the Y, you’re helping to bring lasting change about for you and for those in your community.”
To have his name side-by-side with the Y and an event like the Frozen 5K means the world to Burke.
“It means everything to me because I believe that you’ve got to help others in life. You have to do things for others. You have to support those who have less than you. I have a little, and I made what I have right here in the city I love. It’s only right to give it right back to the city and to organizations who help to do so much for our community like the South Shore Y.”
For details on sponsorship opportunities at the South Shore YMCA such as the SSYMCA George “Trigger” Burke Frozen 5k, contact Mary Orne at morne@ssymca.org or 781-264-9400 ext. 3306.
THANKS TO OUR 2020 SPONSORS!
