Memorial Run to Take Place in Lynnfield

On September 25, 2011 the 8th annual OD’s Run/Walk will be held in Lynnfield. The Run/Walk honors the memory of Lynnfield resident Johnny “OD” O’Donnell, who passed away in December 2003. Additionally, the run helps to raise money for the scholarship fund established in his name.

“It has turned into a bigger event than we had ever expected,” said Johnny’s aunt, Karen Mahon. Mahon helps organize and run the event. “Each year we draw in about 200 runners and 100 walkers,” she said. Additionally, according to Mahon, many people will come to race, but there are also a large number who run or walk to honor Johnny. "We have pictures of Johnny, we talk about him, it's still a nice way for us to have a traditional memorial each year," Mahon said.

The course starts at the High School, a fitting location as meant a lot to Johnny, who would often come back to visit even after he graduated. “He was like the mayor of the school, from janitors to lunch cafeteria workers, even teachers he didn’t have for class, he knew, he just loved the school,” said his father, John O’Donnell.

The course used to cover the High School Cross Country route, a 2.75 mile run. The route was later changed to create a traditional 5K run (3.1 miles). Runners will turn left onto Essex Street from the High School, take a right onto Oxbow Road and continue on a couple different roads throughout The Grant and eventually come back to Essex via Midland Road.

Johnny's impact on the school can still be felt, as many of the athletic teams will either help out or run in the event. Lynnfield High School students can be seen mapping out the route, or helping out at the water station along the run.

The run/walk is sponsored by many businesses and people, including Sports Medicine North, which was founded by Lynnfield resident Dr. Jeffrey Polanksy and Dr. Ira Evans.

Scholarships

The money earned from  the run goes to memorial scholarships given to Lynnfield High Seniors for their further education. The main scholarship, called the John M. O'Donnell Scholarship, is awarded to a student who writes an essay on an adversity they had to overcome in their life. This scholarship can be awarded to anyone in the school.

In addition, another scholarship, called OD's True Pioneer Scholarship, is primarily an athletic scholarship awarded to two seniors (generally a male and female) who demonstrates the true pioneer spirits. Students applying for this scholarship write an essay about how they exhibit the pioneer spirit. "It's not always the best athlete, or the best in sport," O'Donnell explained, "essays are often about being the best supporting teammate." O'Donnell said that three awards were given out in the past year because the essays were so strong.  

Scholarships are handed out during Award's Night and O'Donnell and one of his younger sons attend the ceremony to hand out the award.

Johnny O’Donnell

Johnny was a three season athlete at Lynnfield High School, and an athletic event is a fitting tribute. “Johnny just loved being around his teammates,” said his father. He won the Wrestling Coach’s Award in his Senior year, not because he was the best athlete on the team, but because his teammates, who vote for the award’s recipient, had a lot of love and respect for him, according to his father.

In the fall Johnny played Varsity Football for the Pioneers and wrestled at the Varsity level in the winter. In the spring of his freshman and sophomore year, he played JV Baseball. When Johnny became a junior and could no longer play JV Baseball, he helped out with the team to stay involved.

Johnny was a big Red Sox fan, and a Patriots fan. He worked for the DPW in town, and once he got his own car, he was often out and about meeting people. Johnny was never afraid to go and meet friends.

Johnny spent a lot of time at the family summer home in New Hampshire, where he loved fishing and swimming. "We couldn't get him out of the water," said O'Donnell. Johnny was close with his immediate and extended family, many of whom participate or help out at the annual run. "He touched people, the friends that he did make, friends, families, neighbors, it's a tribute to his personality," O'Donnell said.