Norwood’s Second Annual “Tiot” Relay Race Raises Funds for Youth Recreation-July 12, 1976

The event, held at Norwood’s Endean Park, served as a unique fundraiser organized by patrons and friends of the local Ponderosa Lounge to benefit recreational activities for the town’s youth. Sponsored by Bob Jesseau, the Tiot—named after the tribe of Indians that once roamed the Norwood area—consisted of four separately timed events: a canoe race on the Neponset River, a cross-town bicycle race, a three-mile run, and a three-legged race.

The competition required teams of four to navigate these challenges, with the winners determined by the shortest overall time. Beyond the athletic test, the day functioned as a community picnic, featuring hamburgers, hotdogs, and beer, with approximately $300 raised to fund a puppet theater for local children. The canoe race kicked off the festivities on the Neponset River, where Billy Pender and Billy Hasenfus crossed the finish line in just over 41 minutes. A team of women also competed, successfully defeating a group of men whose canoe capsized.

The bicycle race proved to be a challenging leg for some, with John Symonds securing a decisive victory in just over 20 minutes. The women’s team faced a minor setback when Carol McCloud of Cambridge disappeared during the route, sparking rumors that she had mistakenly pedaled toward Rhode Island, though she remained a resilient part of the women’s collective effort. The running race, a three-mile course from St. Timothy’s Church to Norwood Junior High South, saw Steve Jackson of the Norwood High School track team claim the win. A humorous highlight of the run involved participant Charles Willis, who decided the heat was too intense and opted to hitch a ride with a passing pick-up truck instead of finishing on foot.

The final event was a three-legged race held three times around the track at Endean Park. Billy Pender and Billy Hasenfus emerged victorious, capping off an impressive day of teamwork. The overall winners of the second annual Tiot were Tom Shea, Walter Hasenfus, Billy Hasenfus, and Billy Pender, all representing Norwood. As the afternoon transitioned into a lengthy picnic, participants were already discussing the future of the event. Bob Jesseau and committee member David Thomas noted that plans for next year’s Tiot were already in progress, including a planned publicity campaign to draw more competitors. As for the women’s team, despite placing 10th overall, they left the event with a vow to return next year to “sweep the field.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger