Wow! So many wows from the 39th Annual Dr. Gann’s Diet of Hope Cinco De Mayo Running Fiesta! Over 1000 people crossed the finish line including 10k runners and walkers, 5k runners and walkers, assisted wheelchair athletes, and FitKidz!
I have to start by saying none of this would be possible without volunteers. It takes 75-80 people to put this race on, from packet pickup to setting up cones at 3:30 in the morning. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
The Cinco De Mayo 10k was the Road Runners Club of America State Championship. Overall winners are recognized on a national level. Female winners were: Lauren Reasoner (Overall), Tia Accetta (Masters), Sharon Silvas (Grand Masters), Mary Black (Super Grand Masters). Male winners were: Bjorn Wastvedt (Overall), Orlando Velazquez (Masters), Bob Jones (Grand Masters), and Richard Senti (Super Grand Masters). Mary Black set a state record for the 65-69 age group with a time of: 52:08
The 5k also had some speedy finishers. Thomas Franco was the overall male winner with a finish time of 20:25. Second and third were taken by David Jeck and Michael Durkin, respectively. Lisa Barriga lead the women with a finish time of 22:58, followed closely by Katie McNulty and Sharon Snyder. Kathy Wong set a state record for the female 80-99 age group with a finish time of 46:58.
Anyone that won an award, but did not get it at the race, can pick it up at Fleet Feet 7607 N Oracle Rd #121, Oro Valley 85704 until May 20th.
Thank you to the sponsors that help support race operations and provide food for the post race fiesta. We had great partners this year: Dr Gann’s Diet of Hope, Desert Diamond Casinos, SPARCC Sports Medicine, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Geico, Fleet Feet, Lennar, La Estrella Bakery, Eegee’s, El Saguarito Healthy Mexican, Tile Outlet, Tap & Bottle, and United Healthcare-Susan Perez.
Sponsors and race entry help Southern Arizona Roadrunners give back to the community. The beneficiaries for this race were:
1. $1000 Scholarship to Cholla High School Student, Andrew Beltran. Andrew runs for Cholla cross country and will be studying chemistry at Haveford College in Pennsylvania.
2. Cholla High School Mariachi Program to fund their performances, including transportation.
3. La Frontera’s La Paloma Family Services. Funds will help cover the cost of extra- curricular activities for children placed in foster care.
Next year will be the 40th year of Dr Gann’s Diet of Hope Cinco De Mayo Running Fiesta, so we’re super excited for even more greatness!
