Captain Gerald F. DeConto, USN Memorial Scholarship 5k Run/Walk

🏃‍♂️ Race Overview

Thank you to our past participants and welcome to those of you who are new to our race and scholarship fund! Our annual 5k Run & Walk supports the Captain Gerald F. DeConto Memorial Scholarship Fund. Captain DeConto, a Sandwich MA native, was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Thanks to your generosity we have been proudly awarding scholarships in Captain DeConto's memory since 2002.

📅 Event Details

• Date: Sunday September 21, 2025
• Time: Brief memorial tribute at 9:00 a.m.
• Location: Stop & Shop Plaza 65 Rt 6A, Sandwich, MA
• Course: A scenic 3.1 mile route around the Sandwich Marina and beach area finishing back at the Stop & Shop Plaza.

🖥️ Registration Information

• Online Registration: Please see the Sign Up tab.
• Mail-in Registration: Visit www.geralddeconto5k.com for forms and instructions.
• In-person Registration: Will be held at Stop & Shop Plaza 65 Rt 6A Sandwich, MA on:
• Dates for In-person: Saturday September 20, 2025, 11am to 2pm & Sunday September 21, 2025, 7:30am to 8:30am

🌍 Virtual Participation

Virtual option also available (run or walk anywhere/any time on 9/20 or 9/21).

💵 Donations

To donate to the Captain Gerald F. DeConto Memorial Scholarship Fund please see the Donate tab.

🙏 Special Notes

This year we will also honor and remember Patricia DeConto, Captain DeConto's mother, who passed away unexpectedly in May. For more than two decades she dealt with the tragedy of her son’s death on 9/11 with dignity and grace, while working tirelessly to make sure his sacrifice was not forgotten. She helped build a sports stadium in his memory and was the heart of this road race fundraiser inspiring all who attended with her encouraging words and heartfelt gratitude. She taught us that the best way to honor Jerry was to help others in his memory, and we will continue that legacy now in both of their memories.

📜 Race & Scholarship Fund History

Captain DeConto, a Sandwich MA native, was killed during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon while on duty in the Navy Command Center. At the time of the terrorist attack on the Pentagon, Captain DeConto was in direct communication with the Secretary of the Navy coordinating the Navy’s response to the attacks on the World Trade Center. Captain DeConto was a dedicated Naval officer who was respected and admired by those he served for, by those he served with, and by those who served for him.

Captain DeConto was a high-spirited, caring person who enjoyed many activities, one of which was running, and he enjoyed them most when they were shared with family and friends. His Navy career took him all over the world, but he returned home to Cape Cod whenever he could and he spent the weekend before 9/11 in Sandwich with family and friends. The Captain Gerald F. DeConto USN Scholarship Fund was set up in his memory to honor him and the legacy he left behind which is one of service to his country, leadership, friendship, and love of life and family. It is his family’s hope that through the scholarship fund Captain DeConto will continue to influence the lives of young people and that his memory and the ideals he believed in will live on.

🔗 More Information

For more information visit www.geralddeconto5k.com.

Join us for the run and help continue Captain DeConto's legacy!