Father, daughter beat the heat, earn age-group medals
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Larry Kessler and his daughter Alana both won age-group medals in the Hope Health 5k Run / Walk held Sunday, Aug. 7 in downtown North Attleboro. Alana won the 20-29 age group while Larry finished second in the 60-69 age group, his last in that group as next week he will turn 70.
The 20th anniversary of the Hope Health 5K Run / Walk to benefit hospice care drew a field of about 150 runners and walkers, who defied the ongoing heat wave by finishing the race.
Covering a course revised at the last minute due to road projects in the streets near downtown North Attleboro, the runners did as they've been doing for two decades: raising money for local hospice care.
That has been the one constant of the race, which over the years has changed names and distances as it originally had been a 5-miler before being scaled back several years ago to a 5K (3.1 miles).
Larry Kessler and his daughter Alana both won age-group medals in the Hope Health 5k Run / Walk held Sunday, Aug. 7 in downtown North Attleboro. Alana won the 20-29 age group while Larry finished second in the 60-69 age group, his last in that group as next week he will turn 70.
The 20th anniversary of the Hope Health 5K Run / Walk to benefit hospice care drew a field of about 150 runners and walkers, who defied the ongoing heat wave by finishing the race.
Covering a course revised at the last minute due to road projects in the streets near downtown North Attleboro, the runners did as they've been doing for two decades: raising money for local hospice care.
That has been the one constant of the race, which over the years has changed names and distances as it originally had been a 5-miler before being scaled back several years ago to a 5K (3.1 miles).
The race almost got changed to a 2.9-miler before the dedicated and longtime race director, Dr. Mark Young, added a loop on Barrows Street near the Community School on Sunday morning to have the race returned to a 5K.
For the second year in a row, my daughter and I both earned age-group awards. Alana won her age group (20-29) with a time of 28-plus minutes, and I took second in my age group (60-69) with a time of 51 minutes and 10 seconds.
The heat and humidity posed a steep challenge and I was a feeling fatigued and beat right after finishing until a towel soaked in ice water brought me and other runners back. Thanks to Mark Young for thinking of having that amenity ready for the participants.
This race, the second in-person one since it had to be turned into a virtual run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provided another lift to people's psyches and spirits.
It's also notable that, in an era when so many fun community events have been marred by shootings and other tragic disturbances, that it came off without any problems --- something that can unfortunately no longer be taken for granted.
Finally, kudos to Young, the race volunteers and to everyone's MVP --- DJ Nate Adams --- for working together to bring an excellent and enjoyable event to the greater North Attleboro community.
For the second year in a row, my daughter and I both earned age-group awards. Alana won her age group (20-29) with a time of 28-plus minutes, and I took second in my age group (60-69) with a time of 51 minutes and 10 seconds.
The heat and humidity posed a steep challenge and I was a feeling fatigued and beat right after finishing until a towel soaked in ice water brought me and other runners back. Thanks to Mark Young for thinking of having that amenity ready for the participants.
This race, the second in-person one since it had to be turned into a virtual run in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, provided another lift to people's psyches and spirits.
It's also notable that, in an era when so many fun community events have been marred by shootings and other tragic disturbances, that it came off without any problems --- something that can unfortunately no longer be taken for granted.
Finally, kudos to Young, the race volunteers and to everyone's MVP --- DJ Nate Adams --- for working together to bring an excellent and enjoyable event to the greater North Attleboro community.
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