It was a record turnout for the Marblehead Rotary’s 5K for Mental Health on Sunday, Nov. 2. Two-hundred runners laced up and raised about $45,000 to fund the Inner Explorer mindfulness program in Marblehead Public Schools. Last year, 153 people participated.
“This was absolutely our best event ever,” said Rotary’s Nancy Gwin, who helped organize the race. “We even ran out of t-shirts, which is a first.”
The race started and ended at Crocker Park, winding its way through the Old & Historic District.
One likely reason for the large turnout is Board of Health member Tom McMahon’s challenge that he would donate $25 for every person who beat him.
McMahon, who has a quad injury, came in 15th with a time of 21:38.
“The race went very well,” McMahon reported Sunday. “Great showing. And the fast people SHOWED UP. Especially the middle and high school cross country team. Some of those kids took the top times. Very impressive.”
He added: “I cut a check for $350 to the organization for all the people that beat me.”
MHS High School girls cross country coach Will Herlihy crossed the finish line first with a time of 19:18. The top women’s finish was Kristin Gendron with 20:27. Gendron crossed the finish line pushing a stroller with her two kids.
According to Herlihy, the following student runners competed:
Three MHS cross country runners:
Isaac Durand — finished second
Ginny Donato — finished 42nd
Nadia Siragusa — finished 45th
Veterans School runners included:
TJ Waters — finished third
Luke Webster — finished fourth
Dylan Boland — finished fifth
Charlie Hogan — finished sixth
In addition, MHS freshman soccer player Eleanor Morgan came in 11th.
Read all the race results at my.raceresult.com/355504/. Learn more about Marblehead Rotary at marbleheadrotary.com.
