A group of Hopkinton residents with the support of the 26.2 Foundation and UniBank have joined forces to sponsor an event to help raise funds for the Bobbi Gibb Marathon Sculpture Project.

The evening will include a special presentation by Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon (1966), and Bill Rodgers, a four-time Boston winner. They will discuss: "Revolutionary Changes at the Boston Marathon: Women, Money, Drugs and More". The special presentation will be moderated by Amby Burfoot, the 1968 Boston winner and Runner's World Magazine editor.

The evening has two separate, but related parts:

1. A 5:30pm to 7:00pm VIP cocktail party that will include the special presentation at 6:30pm. The $100 admission charge includes hor d'oeuvres, a free poster created specifically for the event by Hopkinton artist Buff Spencer (and autographed by Gibb), and a free copy of Burfoot's new book, “First Ladies of Running," which includes a chapter on Gibb. You can get the book autographed by Gibb, Burfoot, Rodgers, and others.

2. A general event from 7:00pm to 8:30pm that will include short remarks, a cash bar, and dessert for $20. Posters and Burfoot's book for sale separately. Seating is limited for both events, so early reservations are recommended.

All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Bobbi Gibb Marathon Sculpture Project. The project, with Joan Benoit Samuelson as Honorary Chairman, aims to raise funds so that Gibb can create a life-size sculpture of a woman runner on the Boston Marathon course. The Boston course now has several sculptures of male runners, but none of a woman runner. Additional donations for this project can be made at http://www.firstgiving.com/5280_1/bobbi-Gibb-fundraiser