33 runners celebrate Cinco de Mayo with 5k and 10k
Despite the chilly temperatures Saturday morning, May 2, the outdoor track of Lexington's Orthman Community Center YMCA hosted 33 runners for a Cinco de Mayo 5k and 10K.
YMCA Assistant Director Amy Adams said, "We the were wanting to do more 5- and 10Ks in the community. We know that is a need in our community and a desire for people that want to be able to run more and do these types of races."
Britany Meyers (left in pink) finished first in the 5K at 27:35. Garret Converse (right in white) finished second in the 10K at 39:00, while his brother Zackery (right in red) finished third for the 10K at 39:30.
Adams and the YMCA did not keep track of times as the Cinco de Mayo runs were meant to be self-competitive. No prizes were given for top finishers as the event's purpose was fun and self-improvement.
"We try to make our routes pretty close to the same every year so they can try to beat their time from last time," said Adams. "Most of them have smartwatches, so they keep track of their own times. Instead of competing against each other, it's more of competing against yourself."
This map of the race route was provided to Cinco de Mayo runners.
This year's route started at the outdoor track of the YMCA, then turned north and west down 13th Street. Runners in the 5K turned around in the parking lot of the Optimist Club Complex, then went back down 13th street and to the YMCA.
The 10K runners ran down 13th Street, then took Airport Road north on the walking path toward 20th Street, then east on 20th Street and back to the trail to head south toward 13th Street. They then proceeded down 13th and back to the YMCA.
Brittany Meyers said she "got a little lost" during the 5K route, ended up running part of the 10k route as well and still finished first in the 5K. Her final time was 27:35.
Taylor Severger crosses the finish line to take second place in the 5K at a final time of 28:30.
Joaquin Molina finishes in third for the 5K.
The second finisher for the 5K was Taylor Severger at 28:30. Nine-year-old Joaquin Molina took third place in the at about 29:30.
Vanessa Strong finished first in the 10K at 36:25.
Vanessa Strong finished first in the 10K at 36:25. Brothers Garret and Zackery Converse came in second and third. Garret finished at 39:00 even and then turned right around to cheer on his Zackery, who finished at 39:30.
Each person who finished the runs received breakfast burritos grilled at the track by Riley and Carter Gruntorad.
