The Wildwood Police Department hosted their Second Annual Wildwood Police Department Autism 5K Run. The event was hosted to draw awareness to autism and raise funds for the Jack & Allie Foundation, a non-profit organization for Autism Awareness.
“The race went very well this year. We had 139 runners signed up to run in this race, and 106 came out this Saturday for the race. Last year, we had 75 runners who came out for our Autism Fun Run,” said event coordinator Crystal “Ace” Acevedo of the Wildwood Police Department.
She said they don’t have their final total yet, but believes it will be about $10,000.
“The Wildwood Police Department 5K timed run/walk for autism was organized and full of energy. The race course was well marked with a lot of support from the Wildwood race volunteers,” said Dianne Schultz of the Villagers Running Club.
“The sponsors at the venue offered stretching and many options to fuel up before and after the run. The race packet was filled with many items including a dry-fit shirt. The after-race event included medals for various age groups and a local business gift card giveaway. I feel with all that this race has to offer, it has great potential to continue growing each year.”
“Officer Ace gave a presentation about the race event and introduced the Jack & Allie Foundation charity at our monthly meeting in March. Our club members like to run and want to support local charities. One member ran the Boston Marathon on Monday and ran in this race on Saturday. Another member, although injured, felt she wanted to support Officer Ace and the charity,” Shultz said.
“Although this race is in its early stages and is currently a small event, it offers everything you can find at the larger race events.”
Overall winners of the included Demetrius Singleton of Leesburg in the men’s division, with 22 minutes and 16 seconds. The women’s division winner was Jessica Cline of Wildwood at 25 minutes, 38 seconds.
The Hand/Wheel Motorized first winner in the Wildwood Police Department Autism Awareness 5K was Joey Gibbs of Summerfield with 16 minutes, 47 seconds.
Victoria DeJesus of Clermont took first in female 14 and under, Trenton Conner of Floral City took first in the maile 15-19 category, while Elenna Ventura of Ocklawaha took first in female age 15-19. Andrew Scoot of Oxford took first for men 20-29 and Kelley Gulledge of Dunnellon for women. Michael DeJesus of Clermont for first in males 30-39 and the female was Sarah Scaff of Belleview. The winners in the 40-49 category were Harold Linginfelter of Summerfield and Many Pimental of Dunnellon. The male 50-59 winner was Ned Larivee of The Villages and the female was Dianne Schultz of The Villages. The 60-69 winners were Larry Grant of Oxford and Corinne McFadden of Waterford, Wis. The 70 and over winners were James McFadden of Waterford, Wis. And Beatriz Donovan of The Villages.
Acevedo said she plans to work on making the event bigger and better each year.
Sponsors for the event included the Rotary Club of the Villages - Noon, Village Discount Pharmacy, West Financial Group, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming The Villages, Roberto’s Ristoranted and Pizzeria, Waste-Management, Citizens First Bank, Mike Scott Plumbing, CEPRA Landscape, Global Contracting Group LLC, Race Time Sports, Hughes Brothers Construction, Stretch Zone, Gators Dockside Brownwood, City fire Brownwood, Fiesta Grande Mexican Restaurant, Oakwood Express, The Villages Running Club and ABEL’s Academy.
