Paul Gauthier Memorial 5k

There will be 2 Events: A Virtual 5k (6/21/20 thru 7/12/20) and Actual 5k in Laconia, NH (9/5/20)

This race is founded by Sheryl Gauthier in honor of her husband Paul Gauthier who died in November 2019 from leukemia.  All proceeds from the event will benefit a scholarship set up in Pauls’ memory with the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation https://www.lrscholarship.org/    

Virtual 5k June 21, 2020 through July 12, 2020

You may run your virtual race any time between June 21, 2020 through July 12, 2020. We will post all results as they are received on a daily basis up through July 12. You will be STRONGLY encouraged to send us your photos to post on our registration page and other social media! 

The cost will be $15 for adults and $5 for children (12 & under). 

We will be offering RaceJoy (Free) to all virtual race registrants.  RaceJoy is an app that allows you to use your smart phone to live track your virtual 5k via GPS tracking technology and create real time results that can be both texted and/or emailed to you as well as directly to us so we can post your results! . 

With RaceJoy you will be able to "Run Anywhere" and receive live GPS tracking.  If you prefer not to use RaceJoy, you may also run your 5k anywhere you wish, simply send us your results manually. 

Our online race registration technology will also allow you to print up your own race bib as well as a finishers certificate!!.

Actual 5k- Saturday, September 5, 2020. 

The 5k race will be held on Saturday September 5, 2020 at the The Downtown Gym & Wellness Center 171 Fair Street, Laconia, NH 03246 starting at 9:00 A.M.  Early bird registration now through August 19, 2020 ($20 adults, $15 for kids 14 and under) and regular registration ($25 adults, $20 for kids 14 and under) from August 20, 2020 through Thur. Sept. 3, 2020 11:59 P.M. Race day registration $30 adults and $25 for kids 14 and under). You may register up until 8:30 A.M. on the day of the race. Free shirts for the first 50 registered entrants! If you weren't lucky enough to be one of the first 50 to sign up and get a complimentary race shirt, you can order one. Just click on the More tab, select Store and follow the instructions!  If you cannot make the race but still wish to support our cause, you still may donate by clicking on the “Donate” tab above. Just a note that we are not a 501(c)3 non-profit.  We look forward to seeing you on Sept. 5, 2020!! and a special thanks to our sponsors!   

More About Paul

After an accident in June of 2015 Paul Gauthier was diagnosed with leukemia.  In September of 2015 Paul received a stem cell transplant and stayed in remission for a little over two years.  Just before Christmas in 2017 Paul relapsed.  He went through a clinical trial during the summer of 2018 and things looked promising.  In March of 2019 Paul caught the flu and was on a ventilator for 5 ½ days.  After coming off of the ventilator Paul lived on oxygen for the rest of his life. On November 24, 2019 Paul Gauthier passed away with much love from family, friends and the nurses, LNA’s and doctors who had cared for him through his walk with leukemia.

Paul said many times that “Love is all that is” and he lived his life that way. Paul didn’t “battle” cancer, that would indicate that he lost and he didn’t, he won in so many ways. He accepted what came his way and always found the positive and the way to help someone else in situations that could be perceived as catastrophic. Many times Paul would be going through his own treatment with the side affects but he would be on the phone or sitting in a waiting room encouraging others to keep going.

When Paul was in the hospital, just before he passed, he asked his wife to set up a scholarship in his name for nurses and LNA’s.  Many times throughout his walk with leukemia he received care above and beyond by the nurses and LNAs at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and at Brigham and Womens Hospital.  He would have long talks with many of them either while receiving treatment or in the middle of the night when they thought they were just coming in for vitals.  Paul was always willing to share his story and his walk in the hopes that it would encourage someone else to stay positive and keep on going, many times one second at a time.

Paul had a very special place in his heart for those men and women that took care of him.  They many times helped to give him the hope and the strength to keep going.  They would joke with him, listen to him and encourage him.

It was Paul’s wish to be able to help people who wished to go on to nursing school or to become an LNA.  He knew that a living legacy would be to help future generations going on in the nursing field so that they can be there to help people like Paul going through often times scary and painful treatments.

Paul was once in a workshop, and the question was what are your three core values?  Everyone around the room answered with their three core values.  Paul was the last to answer and when it came to him his answer was “I only have one, Love is all that is.”

His wish was to help Nurses and LNA’s pass on LOVE to their patients.  He was thankful to those that did that for him.