The seventh annual West Island 5K took off under cloudy skies that spit out some rain and even showered on the hardy souls who ran anyway. The Kids Mile Fun Run gets off to a competitive start on Sunday, 4/29/18, at the West Island 5K. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The forecast said rain for Sunday morning, and it did spit out a few drops, even showering steadily for a bit, before the seventh annual West Island 5K. But that did not stop 412 5K runners and 33 kids-mile runners from finishing the course. A total of 520 registered for the event.
Brady Finn, 12, knows he’s number one as he crosses the finish line first in the West Island Kids Mile Fun Run on Sunday, 4/29/18, with a time of 6:45. Photo by Beth David.
Free clam chowder from Mac’s Soda Bar, and a goodies tent benefiting youth cheerleaders, run by seven1-year-old Chloe and her little brother Oliver, greeted runners and spectators near the start/finish line in front of the West Island Improvement Association Community House.
The route, along Balsam Street by the water, to the town beach and back up our own little “heartbreak hill,” was lined with spectators cheering on the runners.
First overall in the kids mile, was 12-year-old Brady Finn of Fairhaven with a time of 6:45. He was followed quickly by Alyssa Parenteau, 9, of Smithfield, RI, with a time of 6:47. Third place went to Falmouth’s Silas Gartner, 10, at 6:50.
For the boys, Silas Gartner was also second place, and Colton Crabbe took third in the boys category with a time of 8:48.
For the girls, it was Ms. Parenteau first, Vivien Poftak, 10, in second place with a time of 7:47; and Megan DaSilva, 9, third in 8:05.
In the 5K, where cash prizes were at stake. First place prize to both men and women finishers was $100; second place was $75; third place was $50. Breaking the course record earned another $100, which Riley Macon of Boston, 23, did when he came in first and broke the course record by five seconds with a time of 15:20
James Miller, 62, gives a double fist pump as he crosses the finish line in 37:34 at the West Island 5K on 4/29/18. Photo by Beth David.
Second place went to Jason Eddy, 38, with a time of 16:33; and third place went to 15-year-old Caleb Gartner, who finished in 16:50. Since Caleb was too young to claim a cash prize, fourth place finisher Michael Stone got lucky, with his time of 17:06.
First woman over the line was Emily Stone, 31, of Falmouth in 19:33, but she did not break the course record of 18:28, set by Anne Preisig in 2014. Ms. Preisig, 50, was the second woman over the line, in 19:53. Third woman was Rebecca Cotugno, 31, with 19:55.
Alyssa Parenteau, 9, is second place overall and first girl over the finish line in 6:47 in the West Island 5K Kids Mile Fun Run on Sunday, 4/29/18. Photo by Beth David.
First West Islander over the line was Scot Pomfret, 41, in 22:16.
For full results, visit racewire.com
All proceeds go to the Fairhaven High School Cross Country program for scholarships, uniforms, end of season banquet/awards; $1,000 to the West Island Improvement Association for annual scholarship; two $1,000-scholarships through Strive and Achieve (www.striveandachieve.org) for students pursuing training and education in skilled labor career fields.
L-R: Elena Bonanno, 12 and Matteo Bonanno, 9, approach the finish line together at 43:23 in the West Island 5K on Sunday, 4/29. Photo by Beth David.
Kate Pimental, 48, Caleb Pimental 6, Emelia Santos, 9, at 40 minutes and a few seconds separating them at the finish line. Photo by Beth David.
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