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September 09, 2010 |
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A RAMBLE FOR FREEDOM By staff writer Monday, April 21, 1997 What has 30,000 spectators, 3,000 runners, and integrates art, literature, and athletics to help support literary freedom and the fight against cancer? It's the James Joyce Ramble, a 10K run in Dedham, Massachusetts that is now in its 14th year. Proceeds from the ramble, which will be held this year on April 27, are donated to Boston's Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and last year's Ramble earned $21,000 for the cause. Since 1989 the race has been run in recognition of a contemporary writer facing persecution somewhere in the world; this year the focus is on imprisoned Chinese writer Wei Jingsheng, who has spent almost 18 years in prison for writing about the country's need for social and political reform. In fact, the race seems to have everything going for it--except a broad show of support from the book industry. "I'm kind of stunned," race Director Martin Hanley told BTW, noting the absence of sponsors from the literary world. "Everything's all set in place, but to grow the race we need support from the industry." He speculated that what he called "the human rights factor" may be deterring some potential sponsors. The exception is Viking Penguin, which has been a strong supporter of the annual event. "They've been good," Hanley said. "They send all the James Joyce titles they carry--several hundred copies, usually." The books are given out after the race, mostly to youngsters who run. "When you give a kid a book as a prize, they read it," Hanley said. "I've had kids come up and thank me and tell me what a great book it was." Each mile of the race is named after a Joyce work, with costumed actors in period wardrobe reading aloud; following the race, malt beverage and live Irish music abound, prizes are awarded, and a literary quiz is held. Booksellers and publishers who would like to get involved can contact Martin Hanley at (781) 329-9744. |
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