The weather could not have been more beautiful for the 13.1-mile Beachside Half-Marathon, which benefits the county’s youngest citizens through the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition. Kathleen Cain, Healthy Start executive director, said the U.S. Track-and-Field-certified event takes a year to plan and organize.
“We are improving the run every year and this year, our sixth, is the best one yet,” said Cain. “I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers – Eddie Branigan, race director; Georgia Irish, race chair; Cheri Sofia, office manager; Tor Jones, the run committee members and many others.”
Runners agreed that the best part about the race were the wonderful views they had as they ran the course, which encompassed most of Central Beach and was laid out to be as comfortable for participants as it was scenic.
Sally Carey of Ohio, who has family in Vero, said when she first arrived the humidity was tough, especially for runners not used to this weather.
“Whoever organized this race did a brilliant job though,” she added. “There were so many stretches of shade in the neighborhood areas that it really helped.”
Racer Colin Goldsmith of Loxahatchee said the views at the start of the race were spectacular.
“We had two sunrises, the first over the Barber Bridge at mile one and then coming over that second one [Alma Lee Loy Bridge] was just gorgeous,” said Goldsmith, who finished as the first male in his age group, coming in just seconds behind the first female to finish, Erin Gollery.
“She really pulled me along,” said Goldsmith of Gollery. “You always need someone either behind you or in front of you to keep you on your pace. It really helps.”
Erin Flynn ran confidently and relaxed, even casually pointing out to spectators, the large dolphin playing below in the lagoon as she ran over the Alma Lee Loy Bridge.
Participants were encouraged along the way by refreshment teams, who acted as cheerleaders as they held out cups of water.
“Good job!” and “You’re doing Great!” yelled a group of teens and their assistant coach from the Vero Beach High School Track team.
“When I saw that bridge I did not think I could get over it,” said Carey. “All I wanted to do was make sure I didn’t walk it. But when I got over it, I said I can do this.”
Every runner received cheers and applause by members of the Healthy Start committee and all had medallions placed over their necks after they crossed the finish line.
First to cross the finish line was Bill Vanos, 42, from Orlando; first woman was Erin Gollery, 25, from Nashville.
As the last racers were finishing, two smaller races began – the Kids’ Run and Toddler Dash. With their parents cheering loudly, kids ran to Marine Bank’s Pelican Pete and back and received medallions of their own.
The Healthy Start Coalition hoped to raise $10,000 to support its various programs which provide pregnant women and their children with vital health care and support from pregnancy through infancy.
“We do it for our babies,” said Cane. “We need to raise the funds to keep our programs in existence. We are doing our best for our very youngest.”