More than 350 runners started off 2017 in a fit and healthy way on New Year’s Day, participating in the 2017 Resolution Run 5K from Riverside Park near the Vero Beach Museum of Art.
The race is the fourth in the 2016-17 Run Vero Race Series sponsored by Runner’s Depot, which included the August Twilight 2-Mile at the Riverhouse, October’s Frightening 4K from South Beach and December’s Candy Cane 3K, which preceded the Christmas Parade on Ocean Drive. Still to come in the series are the Feb. 11 Cupcake 2-Mile at AW Young Park and the April 1 Citrus Classic 5K at Pocahontas Park.
The six-race series promotes the overall wellness of the community by donating a portion of race proceeds to local nonprofits. The Education Foundation of Indian River County was the beneficiary in this first race of 2017, and provided roughly 20 volunteers to help out at the event.
While all of the participants had clearly made the commitment to start the year off right, many were keeping their New Year’s resolutions fairly simple or, more times than not, opting out of the tradition altogether.
“To spread more love in the world,” said the always upbeat Jennifer Jones of her resolution.
“I don’t have one,” said Makaela Tippins, before adding succinctly of her plan for the new year, “Making the most of it.”
Not surprisingly, many resolutions had to do with health or running, such as Carol Koiro, who said hers was to stay fit, and Shawn Hoyt, who said he hoped to do more triathlons in 2017. Jessica Schmitt said she wanted to run in a marathon in North Carolina, but then added with a smile, “To be debt-free – every year.”
“Thanks for getting your New Year’s off with a good start,” said Jim Van Veen to runners at the start line, before a New Year’s race countdown that ended with confetti canisters shot over the heads of participants as they took off. Van Veen credited wife Meredith with the festive idea, adding, “We thought it would add some atmosphere.”
“It’s a beautiful day and a good start to a new year,” said Trish Metzinger, waiting with husband Jim for their son-in-law Tyler Donnelly to cross the finish line. Tyler and their daughter Margaret, both teachers in Chicago, were visiting for the holiday.
Shoshanna Shelley and Joanna Findley waited with their friend Gloria Dowd to cheer on husband Bob Dowd.
Shelley said her resolution was not to make a New Year’s resolution, reasoning, “You end up resenting yourself because you don’t follow through with them. I think if we make a resolution we should make it for one day. We should start them one day at a time and then renew it.”
Sounds like a pretty good plan.
Joseph Granberg finished first with an impressive 17:25, while James Granberg was close on his heels at 17:30. Lotte Branigan was the top female finisher at 19.26.
