2023
Slideshow by Trisha LaBossiere, library trustee
Past Races
The Lilyan Wright Fun Run is a part of the Western New Hampshire Trail Running Series. This race is organized and hosted by the Olive G Pettis Library Trustees in honor of our Trustee Emeritus Ms Lilyan Wright. Lilyan Wright served the community for many years until her passing in 2017.
Proceeds from this race will benefit the Library and Goshen DIscovery Park, a 1/4 mile trail behind the library & town hall.
Thank you to these sponsors for supporting the 2024 race!
Your continued support is vital to making this event a success.
Saturday - September 6, 2025
This race has two distance options: 3 miles and 5.7 miles - Walkers are welcome! You don't have to be fast to have fun.
Pre-Register (online only) at http://www.wnhtrs.com/index.php?n=lilyan_wright_10k
Cost $25(20+), $20(15-19), Free (under 15)
Registration day off will be open from 7:30-8:45 am.
Cost $30(20+), $25(15-19), Free (under 15)
The Race starts promptly at 9 am.
The top finishers in each category will be awarded prizes and all participants will be entered into a raffle as well.
Who was Lilyan Wright?
Race Details
Dr. Lilyan Boyd Wright of Goshen, New Hampshire lived an active life filled with adventure, sports, travel, and local community engagement. Lilyan served as the Dean for the College of Physical Education at the College of New Jersey. She also served as the Woman’s Athletic Director. Lilyan’s accomplishments include being inducted into Temple University and The College of New Jersey Hall of Fame. She was also honored by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce in 2016 as its “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” at the age of 95.
An avid and accomplished athlete, Lilyan’s passion for Field Hockey was a lifetime endeavor and her advocacy of women’s rights in education and athletics championing Title IX and related equal opportunity issues was never ending. After retiring, Lilyan spent her remaining years teaching, coaching and refereeing boys and girls field hockey across the country. Her dedication and love of the sport of field hockey led to the New Hampshire Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (NHAHPERD) creating a Lilyan B. Wright Service Award recognizing an individual or organization making a significant contribution to NHAHPERD.
Originally from Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Lilyan and husband Richard moved to Goshen and adopted Goshen as their hometown where she served on the Church of the Epiphany vestry as well as a Goshen Library Trustee. Lilyan remained active throughout her life in athletics and in addition to field hockey, she enjoyed hiking, alpine and cross-country skiing, tennis, sailing, running and especially teaching aerobics to "Lilyan's Limber Ladies" at the Newport Recreation Center, among a myriad of other physical activities well into her mid-90's. Lilyan died November 14, 2017.