18th Peter Makris Memorial Run draws riders from near and far to honor a legacy

LACONIA — Motorcyclists from the Lakes Region and beyond gathered at the NASWA Resort for the 18th annual Peter Makris Memorial Run on Saturday. There were 279 people registered to ride to the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, escorted by State Police. The run is expected to raise $50,000 this year for Easterseals NH's Veterans Count program among other organizations.

“It's wonderful to be able to carry on my dad's legacy of giving back to his fellow veterans and his beloved community,” said Cynthia Makris, Peter's daughter and the third generation in her family to run the NASWA Resort.

The run has raised $275,000 in 17 years for Veterans Count, where Cynthia serves as vice chair, and $575,000 total for the various beneficiaries, including the Laconia Fire Department Life-Saving Fund, the Community Emergency Response Team, Building Dreams for Marines, Belknap House, and the NH Veterans Home. To learn more about the cause, visit naswa.com/peter-makris-memorial-run. 

Before the ride, the resort parking lot was jam-packed with motorcycles, with everyone from Peter’s fellow Marine Leathernecks to casual riders hoping for a pleasant route. Cynthia traveled on the back of her father’s red Honda Gold Wing trike, with her friend Paul Goodwin driving. Republican gubernatorial candidate Kelly Ayotte rode with friend Andy Crews on the back of his Harley-Davidson CVO. Ayotte said while it wasn’t her first time at Laconia Motorcycle Week, it’s her first time riding in the Peter Makris Annual Memorial Run.

“This is going to be awesome today. It's a beautiful day for a ride, and to think about this kickoff to Motorcycle Week, it’s a great time for the community,” she said.

Gov. Chris Sununu is a regular visitor to Laconia Motorcycle Week. Ayotte said she plans to continue that tradition if elected.

“This Motorcycle Week is phenomenal. It's such a great part of New Hampshire, a great week for our state and this area. The travel, the tourism, the beauty of the Lakes Region,” she said. “I'll definitely be here for Motorcycle Week. It would be an honor.”

Some came from out of state for the run. Satwineer Singh came all the way from Parsippany, New Jersey, for the weekend.

“It’s the first time we’re doing this kind of event. We knew about this ride that’s going to happen today, we just wanted to come and see,” Singh said.

The memorial run also attracts local motorcyclists who knew Peter personally. Lonnie Potter, 59, who grew up in Laconia and now lives in Gilford, worked security at Weirs Beach. He said when he was working, Peter would often come to the beach.

“Peter was my best friend, and we hung out on the beach all day, every day,” Potter said.

Potter, a retired firefighter who has been coming to Motorcycle Week since the '80s, says the memorial run is the perfect way to honor Peter.

“It’s not only to celebrate Peter, but the charities for police and firefighters, and giving back to society.”