More than 300 participate in annual YMCA road race
More than 300 people, from children to adults, participated in the annual Gleason Family YMCA 5K Road Race in Onset on Saturday. Organizers estimated the event raced roughly $3,500 for the YMCA’s Annual Support campaign, which provides financial aid for individuals and families who cannot afford membership fees, programs, or camp on their own.
The top three male and female winners of the 3.1 mile race took home cash prizes of $150, $100, and $75, respectively. The male winners were 24-year old Tom Davis of Newton with a time of 16:09, 40-year-old Joe Navas of North Eastham with 16:13, and 21-year-old Brian Cohen of Easton with a time of 16:55.
The female winners were 43-year-old Anne Curi of Falmouth, who clocked in at 18:56, 23-year-old Ali Smrlina with a time of 19:43, and 33-year old Gretchen Parmentier with 21:59.
"The village of Onset has really embraced the race," said Gleason Family YMCA Marketing & Development Director Jo-Ann Watson. The race is now in its ninth year.
The Gleason Family YMCA gave out more than $220,000 in financial aid in 2010 and has already awarded $82,000 through the month of April for 2011, said YMCA Executive Director Laura Prisco. Fundraisers such as this one are particularly important to the Y, as it does not turn anyone away from a membership or any programs because of the inability to pay.
The youngest participating member of Saturday's 5K was 7 years old, while the oldest was 75.
Prisco said the YMCA likes to run events for "people of all fitness abilities and age levels."
For more information about the Gleason Family YMCA and its programs, click here.