By Beth David, Editor
The ninth annual West Island 5K saw a small field compared to 2019, the last time it was held, due to the pandemic. In 2019 a combined 382 took to the streets. This Sunday, 4/24/22, a combined 211 raced along the streets of West Island: 29 in the Kids Fun Mile, and 182 in the 5K.
Taylor Fortnam, 25, of Providence, RI, set a new women’s course record with a time of 18:24, shaving off four seconds from the old record and finished third overall. First place overall winner Jason Eddy, 25, of E. Falmouth, crossed the line in 17:24.
In the Kids Fun Mile, eight-year-old Denver Shimala beat out the competition to come in first in 7:20. Ava Guerriero, 12, came in second, and was first girl over the line, in 7:35. Jacob Eddy came in third for the young’uns with a time of 7:36.
With a temperature of 49 degrees and a breeze off the ocean, it was a bit on the cold side, but the runners seemed to like it.
Kyle Bueno (24:52), said it was “perfect” for running.
Race organizer Lyle Drew thanked all the runners, walkers and volunteers who participated.
“Lots of great positive energy and fun,” he wrote on Facebook.
All proceeds of the race benefit the Cross Country running program at Fairhaven High School. Mr. Drew started the race to benefit the program eight years ago when he found out it was in dire need of funds and in danger of shutting down.’
He said the program allowed him to “grow as a young man.”
Visit https://westisland5k.org.
See race results at https://my.racewire.com/result/9092961
- Steven Ramsey 37, of Acushnet, raises his fists in victory as he approaches the finish line of the ninth annual West Island 5K on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- Runners begin the race on Causeway Road at the top of the hill for the ninth annual West Island 5K on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- James Miller, 66, of Acushnet, raises his fists in victory as he approaches the finish line of the ninth annual West Island 5K on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- Hannah Necombe, 25 of E. Falmouth, raises her hands and shouts in victory as she approaches the finish line of the ninth annual West Island 5K on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- L-R: Annemarie and Dwayne Almeida cross the finish line together at the ninth annual West Island 5K on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- Runners round the bend at the start of the Kids Mile Fun Run at the ninth annual West Island 5K/Fun Run on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- Roger Masson sports a big smile as he crosses the finish line and his accompanying adult shows his support at the Kids Mile Fun Run on West Island on 4/24/22, with a time of 8:14. Photo by Beth David.
- Mirabella Gonsalves looks just as fresh at the finish as she did at the start of the Kids Mile Fun Run on West Island on 4/24/22, finishing with a time of 14:09. Photo by Beth David.
- L-R: Denver Shimala receives the prize for first boy and first overall over the finish line with a time of 7:20 after the Kids Mile Fun Run on West Island on 4/24/22, and gets to pose with race organizer Lyle Drew. Photo by Beth David.
- L-R: Ava Guerriero receives the prize for first girl (and second overall) over the finish line with a time of 7:35 after the Kids Mile Fun Run on West Island on 4/24/22, and gets to pose with race organizer Lyle Drew. Photo by Beth David.
- L-R: Ayda Medeiros and Vera Moran are clearly enjoying running together during the Kids Mile Fun Run on West Island on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
- L-R: Ayda Medeiros and Vera Moran are still enjoying running together as they approach the finish line of the Kids Mile Fun Run on West Island on 4/24/22. Photo by Beth David.
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