The thermometer registered just below freezing, but that didn’t deter the hundreds of runners from completing the 5K race hosted by Girls on the Run on Nov. 22.
The previous two years, Girls on the Run completed their fall program by participating in the Cornwall Lions Club Fall Harvest race, but there were a number of reasons the council hosted its first fall race and second this year. A 5K was held at the end of the spring program.
Kim Quimby, council director, said it’s mandated by contract with Girls on the Run International that local chapters host their own races. Quimby expected to begin organizing races last year, but the numbers have been growing beyond expectation. There are about 100 coaches and 32 teams in Orange County. Over 350 girls currently participate in Girls on the Run. They were joined, on Saturday, by over 464 running buddies and community members who registed to participate in the race.
Like the spring 5K, the event was held at the Cornwall Middle School track. Participants were asked to begin arriving at 8:30 with the race to begin at 10 a.m.
A number of activities were planned to help keep the runners’ minds off the frigid weather. Coined GOTR Village, runners could visit the Happy Hair Station and get their hair spray-painted pink, green, or purple. Face or hand tattoos were available at the Spirit Station. It was also at this station participants could paint their pinky blue signifying their stance against bullying. A photo booth was set up complete with props. A Friends and Family Zone allowed spectators to create signs in order to cheer on their runner(s).
About 15 minutes before the race, participants were asked to gather on the field in the middle of the track. The runners were broken up by color — pink, green, and purple to allow for a staggered start.
With five minutes to go before racetime, Daisy Williams-Mangieri, one of the Girls on the Run coaches, led the group in a Zumba warm-up.
The course began with a 3/4 lap around the track. Runners then exited onto Lee Road and made a left onto Mailler Avenue and up through the residential area of Maple Avenue. The runners then looped back onto Lee Road where they took a right and headed up for a lap around Cornwall Elementary School before completing the race with a final lap around the track.
Quimby noted the race is perfect for spectators because the runners can be seen multiple times throughout the course.
What was different about this race is it’s untimed.
“It’s not about the place,” Quimby said. “It’s about the girls finishing the event.”
To further de-emphasize the importance of finish, four Pink Ladies volunteered to finish last.
“One of the things that’s on everyone’s mind when they go to race, especially girls and women, is nobody wants to come in last,” Quimby said. “Although we put all this emphasis on nobody coming in first, somebody still needs to come in last, so we thought why not take the pressure off all the girls and nobody is going to come in last. Our pink ladies are going to come in last.”
Tess Cadden., Jami, Strauss, Cathy, O’Sullivan, and Sioban Wynne began walking the course after everyone had started the run.
After the Pink Ladies crossed the finish line there was one order of business left to take care of — the naming of the coach of the year.
All 350 girls were invited to submit an entry for their coach of the year by drawing a picture, telling a story about something the coach did during the season, or by writing a poem. The entries were then read by the Girls on the Run Board.
Kasey Capen, from the Pine Tree Elementary School Team, was named coach of the year and will now be in the running to be recognized with the honor by Girls on the Run International. The overall winner will win a trip to the annual Summit meeting in San Diego.
