Charlottesville Holds 28th Running of Independence Day 5K Race

by Jim Hart

The 28th running of the Kiwanis Independence Day 5K race was a big success. More than $5,500 will go directly to support the efforts of Camp Holiday Trails, a unique summer camp for children with special health needs. This year's race attracted 264 participants, a 40% increase from last year. Remarkably, a 3-year-old strolled across the finish line just ahead of her mother. Our most senior runner, age 85, finished the race once again this year in excellent fashion. The top male runner, Tony Herndon, finished with a time of 17:29, while Holly Rich led the women with a time of 20:03. The Charlottesville Track Club, represented by Carol Finch and Jay Wildermann, once again organized a very professional race and tabulated and published results within minutes of the finish. Special thanks go to the major race sponsor, Better Living Inc., and to more than two dozen other businesses who provided monetary and in-kind support for this Kiwanis signature project. Kiwanis race director Bill Reusing says thanks to our hosts, the Forest Lakes Community and the Lighthouse Worship Center, who helped make this event a great way to celebrate America's birthday.


Pictured are Albemarle High School Key Clubbers who contributed to the race in a special way; finishers displaying the family-friendly nature of this event; and a view of the diversity of runners who came out to "beat the heat' in what has become a Charlottesville summer holiday tradition.