To the editor:

For the past 15 years, Warren's well known Kee sisters have been directing the annual Finish For A Guinness 5K road race on Labor Day weekend, which raises funds for the Rhode Island ALS Chapter as well as other charitable causes, and while I have had the honor and privilege of participating in this race for all 15 years of its existence, this year's edition was rather melancholy, as the sisters decided that this would be the final year the race would be held.

As someone who has competed in well over 1,000 road races all over the United States, I know full well how much work is involved in putting on an event of this size and complexity, and what started as a road race with humble beginnings in honor of Christopher Stone, the husband of Amy Stone (one of the Kee sisters) who passed away from ALS, grew into one of the premier road races in our area, drawing thousands of runners from all over New England to Warren for this great event.

And while the race could not have succeeded without the generous support of businesses and individuals from Warren and beyond, along with hundreds of volunteers, it was the hard work and dedication of the Kee sisters which made this event so enjoyable and successful, all while raising money for a most worthy cause. The town of Warren is extremely fortunate to have numerous residents who do things every day to make the town better, and the work of the Kee sisters in organizing and producing the Finish For A Guinness 5K for all these years is a perfect example of what being great citizens is all about.

While myself and thousands of runners are going to sorely miss the Finish For A Guinness, we thank the Kee sisters for 15 years of fun and great memories!

Mike Proto
245 Chestnut St.
Bristol