Wareham's YMCA will celebrate its 12th anniversary with the Gleason Family YMCA 5K Road Race on May 17, which was started by a group of volunteers that wanted to share with the community that a new YMCA was coming to Wareham.

Bringing a YMCA to Wareham was the vision and idea of Dr. Charles (Sherm) Gleason, a pediatrician in the South Coast area. About 14 years ago, the youths of Wareham told Gleason that they had nothing to do and nowhere to go.  Being someone that cared profoundly in youth, he set forth to bring a YMCA to Wareham.

He then donated the land and the seed funding to start a campaign to raise funds to build a state of the art facility with a pool, rock climbing wall, Wellness Center, basketball court and skate board park.

The Gleason Family YMCA opened it doors in August 2004 and has grown to over 8,000 members. There have been several expansions since 2004, including the Wellness Center, basketball court and indoor track.

In 2010, an outdoor pool and family center opened. At each ribbon-cutting, Gleason donned a huge smile as he documented the events with his ever-present camera.

Gleason's vision continues to this day. He wanted the YMCA to be available for everyone in our community regardless financial ability. The 5K Road Race is one of the events the YMCA hosts each year to raise funds for the YMCA’s financial aid program, which provides memberships, and programs such as camp, swimming and sports to those that can not afford the YMCA experience on their own.

Last year there were over 300 runners, including some of New England’s top runners, at the race. There are also family, friends and spectators along the course that cheer the runners on.

This year's race will be held on Saturday, May 17 starting at 9 a.m. sharp. The race’s start and finish will take place at the Onset Village Pier.

The race receives sponsorship from many local businesses including the Law Office of Scott Brilliant, Wareham Pediatrics, Bayside Runner, The Greater Boston Running Company. The major sponsor of this year’s race will be Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank.Marc Anthony’s Restaurant provides in-kind lunch for runners after the race and Dunkin Donuts provided coffee and donuts. The first 150 registrations will receive free t-shirts.

The event requires over forty volunteers and support comes from the YMCA members and staff, and Wareham Bike Path Committee. The Wareham Police Department also provides officers along the route.

Eight years ago, the race was certified by the USA Track and Field Association, encouraging top rated runners from all over New England to come and use this event to qualify for other races.

For more information call (508) 295-9922. Online registration can be done at www.jbrace.com until noon on May 16. Day of the race registrations can be done on Onset Pier up to 8:30 a.m.