Over the past couple of years, Holyoke native and NFL hopeful Harry Melendez has been organizing two to three mile runs in the Paper City to share his training regimen and inspire “community unity through individual improvement,” he says. The group started this season’s weekly gatherings last month, and on April 17 ran in honor of those affected by the tragic events at the Boston Marathon, which had occurred just two days before.

“It was a no-brainer,” Melendez told the Advocate, noting that for the special run the group of 15 or so donned the Boston Marathon’s colors, blue and yellow, as opposed to their usual Holyoke purple.

“It was really great because the AAU Basketball Program I played for as a young man, Springfield Trailblazers, brought their 13U team for the run for Boston,” said Melendez, “and the kids were excited.”

I’m Running For Holyoke meets each Wednesday at 6 p.m. outside Holyoke High School. Visit their Facebook page (ImRunningforHolyoke) for more info.•