Oyster Festival 5K runners coast across finish line
Ninety-five runners, salty with sweat, finished the fourth annual Oyster Festival 5K on Sunday, May 28.
One of them was Neal Mullane, who completed the race with his triplets in a stroller. Mullane has numbers on his stroller from all the races he has run this year with his children. So far, they have run 35 races together total.
Others also brought their families to cheer them on or participate in the race with them, making the race an event for everyone to enjoy.
It was 11-year-old Nolen Mounier's first time running a 5K. Mounier came in first place in his age division at just over 22 minutes. He rewarded himself with fresh oysters when he was finished running.
Typically, there are only around 50 participants in the run, according to event coordinator Linda Burke. This was the best turnout the 5K has seen, she said.
The 5K stepped off at 10 a.m., and the Oyster Festival itself began at 11 a.m.
"It's such a beautiful day," Burke said. "I think people are sick of being inside...and I'd like to believe the Oyster Festival itself is an attraction for some people."
For the first time, the run benefited the Wareham Boys & Girls Club, with all money after expenses going to the club.
"A lot of kids who are served by the club either come from a single-parent family or they're lower-moderate income," Burke said. "They really need our help."
The club has more than 100 young people participate in its summer day program and needs funds for transportation and activities.
“Our club needs all the support we can get,” said Sally Paduch, academic supervisor and summer program supervisor for the Boys & Girls Club. “Kids deserve to have a great summer.”
As for the race results: Rory Jenkins came in first place at 16:49; Eric Gall was in second at 16:53, followed by Matthew Coble at 17:29. In the women's category, Katie Rodesky was first at 19:11, then Amy Knoblock at 19:31 and Katie Coble at 20:41. See the full race results here.