As the Bible says, “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,” and a perfect illustration of this was the 5K race held by Berkshire South Regional Community Center (BSRCC) this past Sunday morning at the Walter J. Koladza Airport in Great Barrington.
Indeed, there were some swift runners there, but that didn’t seem to be the point. The point of this race, more appropriately billed as a 5K Run/Walk, was to raise money for Berkshire South’s free TONE (Teen Outreach Nutrition Exercise) program as well as other youth health & wellness programs. And for everyone to have a good time.
According to Jenise Lucey, executive director of Berkshire South. “The TONE program is completely free for teens from 13-18. Not only does the program teach wellness and nutrition, but it also highlights self-care in an activity-driven time of life when self-care is often overlooked.”
On Sunday morning, April 8, in weather cool enough to discourage all but the hearty, some 80 participants turned out on the runway of the airport to register at 8:00am and to start the race at 9:00. This is the 6th annual holding of this event, but the first at the airport, and the consensus was that this new route was the best so far – from the end of the runway, to Seekonk Cross Road, to Locust Hill Road, to Pumpkin Hollow Road, to Egremont Plain Road and back to the finish line at the airport. The panting runners and walkers, all of whom crossed the finish line (some sooner than others), were enthusiastic about the beauty of the route. Also, as they crossed the finish line, they were greeted by cheers and hugs and restorative refreshments provided by in-kind sponsors.
Although everyone who turned out, including those who only stood and cheered, felt like a winner, prizes were given out to the following:
- Luke Breslin, First Place Adult (Male) – a gift certificates for $50 from the Prairie Whale Restaurant;
- Rebecca Leonard, First Place Adult (Female) – a gift certificate for $50 from the Prairie Whale Restaurant;
- Kevin Crozier, Second Place Adult (Male) – a $25 gift certificate from The BookLoft;
- Helena Pfingst, Second Place Adult (Female) – a $25 gift certificate from The BookLoft;
- Genevieve Syrett, winner of Youth Division (Ages 13-17) – a $30 Amazon gift card;
- Lilly Haskins-Vaughan, First Place Children’s Division (Under 13) and third place in the race overall – a $30 gift certificate from Tom’s Toys;
- Vincent Dragonetti, Second Place Children’s Division – a $20 gift certificate from Tom’s Toys
- Eugene Kalish, Senior Division (Male) –a $50 Amazon gift card; and
- Nancy Graham, Senior Division (Female) – a $50 Amazon gift card.
And the day’s event was supported by many local businesses.
- NBT Bank at the $500 Advertising Sponsorship Level;
- Allegrone Companies, Autobahn Service, Big Elm Brewing and Okerstrom-Lang Landscape Architects at the $250 Advertising Sponsorship Level;
- Adelson & Company PC, Barnbrook Realty and Innovative Therapy Solutions at the $100 Advertising Sponsorship Level; and
- Berkshire Aviation Enterprises, Berkshire Mountain Spring Water, Home Sweet Home Doughnut Shoppe, Monterey T-Shirts, The Bookloft, The Great Barrington Bagel Co. and Deli, The Windflower Inn and Tom’s Toys as Event supporters & In-Kind Sponsors.
For a list of all participants, and their times, click here.