Despite a foreboding forecast where we found weather worse than predicted, over 500 runners and walkers finished the Be Kind 5K and fitness walk.

In the men's race the first place hardware went to a man with quite a bit of hardware already...in his right leg. Alex Izewski was involved in a terrible car accident in October of 2022, leaving him with a compound fracture of his right tibia. "Yeah, they put 5 Screws and a 13 inch metal plate in my shin." said Izewski. His recovery was difficult: Seven months with no weight bearing followed by months and months of physical therapy and finally an opportunity to run on a low gravity treadmill. It seemed like he might not ever run again. "I never gave up hope." said today's champion "But there were some dark times."

In the women's race, it was the master edging out the rising star. Forty year old Kellie Shimer must have been hearing footsteps as she outlasted 12 year old Isha Awasthi for the overall female prize, winning by less than 2 seconds.

Local hero Nancy Smith won the female age-graded masters with an unbelievable age-graded score of 88.43, almost 10 points higher than the next age-graded score in either gender. Nancy, who recently competed in the Tokyo Marathon, is in training for the World IRONMAN 70.3 Championships.

At age 53, longtime 5K series runner Vitaly Belotserkovsky took the men's Masters age-graded award, running an impressive 18:58.76, finishing 5th place overall.

Since there was a brand new 5K course yesterday, there will be no incentive points for series standing purposes. Eye those records next year!

Prior to the race, a moment of silence was held for the late Dick Patterson, longtime Bucks 5K Series President. Many of the runners in the 5K series got their start running 5K series races under Dick Patterson's tutelage.

Race director Keith Fenimore had to be "blown away" by the turnout in today's event. Over 500 participants braved the wind and rain to compete in today's run. A successful, albeit windy, after-party was enjoyed by the brave souls willing to negotiate the harsh conditions.

Be Kind 5K race proceeds benefit the Kin Wellness center, Buck's County's new innovative cancer center that provides free services to local cancer patients in both treatment and recovery.

Thanks to all who turned out. There is a quick turn-around for our next event. Next week's race will be the Bookin' for Lookin' 5K and 10K races in Newtown. This year's event boasts a brand new 10K race. The race courses are certified and are blazing fast, taking place in parts of Tyler Park and Council Rock North High School's campus. It's not too late to register. For information and to register or volunteer go to: www.bucks5kseries.com

Johnny King-Marino
"You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back" -Steve Prefontaine