SUN PHOTO/TOM VAUGHT
Dawn Rappold ran the race carrying her
2-year-old daughter,
Jackie, and with her 6-year-old son, Tony.
HOLMES BEACH – The mercury was in the 30s and cold winds brought chill factors that were unfathomable for this part of Florida last Saturday, but that didn’t stop 150 runners from participating in the third annual Dolphin Dash at Anna Maria Elementary School.
According to organizer Becky Walter, 27 AME students participated this year. They all came from the school’s running club, which she organized and manages. She said that the club would continue to meet on Wednesdays before school until the end of the school year.
In the 5-K race, Nicole Rodhouse took first place overall for women and Jonathan Huffy was first overall for men. Diane Lehman and Mickey Hooke were masters winners. Arlene Jarzab and Brent Van Winkle were grand masters winners. Erma McMullen and Frank Davis were senior grand masters winners.
Most of the students ran in the one-mile run, but six-year-old Daniel Sentman also participated in the 5-K run. He was the youngest runner in that race.
Walter said she was honored by one of the runners this year.
"My former track and basketball coach, Phyllis Ruth, ran this year," Walter said, "She is the person who helped me train for, and enter my first road race and inspired me to become a lifelong runner."
The cold weather didn’t seem to affect any runners, although some of them took precautions.
"I drank some water before the race so my mouth would be cold," said Max Moneuse, who came in fourth in the 13-15 year old group in the one-mile run. "Toward the end, it was starting to get dry."
In addition to healthy snacks and water, A Castaway Charters donated hot chocolate and cups that were sold at the race.
"I want to thank all of the sponsored, volunteers and the Bradenton Runners Club for their participation," she said, "Thanks also to the Holmes Beach Police Department for making sure the runners were safe."
