They run. They walk. They crawl.
When the organizers of the annual Louis Sullivan 5K to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital say they welcome all participants from ages two to 80-plus, they mean it. And whether it’s by feet, hands and feet, hands and knees and feet, or paws, the goal of the race isn’t to win, but to get to the finish line.
“The important thing isn’t where you finish, but that you finish at all,” retired Dr. Louis Sullivan said as racers lined up at the edge of Washington Park in Oak Bluffs on Saturday morning. Although there were no babies for the diaper run this year, the 30th annual 5K through some of the most beautiful terrain in East Chop featured 301 runners, race-walkers, and strollers — of both the two-footed and four-wheeled variety.
Sam Feldman, 89, of Chilmark was one of the morning’s most enthusiastic participants, high-fiving the competitors he preferred to call companions.
“I’ve done this for 30 years and I really respect everything Dr. Sullivan’s done, from initiating this to keeping it alive,” Mr. Feldman said. “Now I’ve got to go find Jerry Wyner. We walk across the finish line arm-in-arm together every year.”
Dr. Sullivan, a summer resident of Martha’s Vineyard, started the race three decades ago when he was a member of George H.W. Bush’s cabinet as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. As a way to become better acquainted with his employees, he decided to take them for a walk.
“I expected 10 to 12 people to show up and got 57,” Dr. Sullivan said.
After starting the walk near the Sea View Hotel for a few years, the police told Dr. Sullivan that he had to move it to Washington Park. The event continued to grow, and eventually Dr. Sullivan decided to charge an entrance fee to raise money for the hospital.
“It just spontaneously came about like that,” Dr. Sullivan said. “Now the race has a dual purpose of emphasizing healthy lifestyles and supporting the hospital.”
Over the past 30 years, the annual 5K has raised over $600,000, promoting health, inclusivity and community along the way.
Jeannie Wright, who works for the Oak Bluffs police department, said the hospital has a special place in her heart. In fact, it may have saved her life. Over a decade ago, she was diagnosed with type-one diabetes at the hospital and has tried to live a healthier lifestyle ever since.
“It took nurses telling me I was going to lose my vision and my toes to have a real come to Jesus moment,” Ms. Wright said. Now she’s raised over $17,000 for type-one diabetes research through runs, bikes and walks.
Other runners had deep family ties to the race.
“It’s a tradition in the family,” said 85-year-old Cynthia Peterson, who ran with her children, Tycho and Celeste, four of her grandchildren, and their dog, Loki. Thirteen-year-old grandson William Peterson won second in his age group with a time of 24 minutes. Cynthia finished at just over an hour, with Celeste and Tycho accompanying her across the finish line.
“I just love watching the enjoyment on all their faces,” Ms. Peterson said.
About 40 minutes before that, Ryan O’Connor of Bristol, Conn., blew out the field with a blazing time of 17:40. This was his first time on Martha’s Vineyard.
“I drove up this morning and thought I was going to miss the race,” Mr. O’Connor said moments after he crossed the finish line, tore off his shirt and let out a primal groan.
“I ran here from the ferry,” he continued. “This is my first chance to enjoy the Vineyard and I’ve been running for 90 per cent of the time I’ve been here. I feel like my heart is going to blow out of my chest. Oh man, I’m hurting but that was good, and what a beautiful course. If I wasn’t suffering so much I would have enjoyed it!”
Only seconds after the first runners came through the gate, 75-year-old retired science teacher Marston Clough straight-legged his way to the finish line as the first race-walker to complete the course.
“We were in the first race-walk here,” said Mr. Marston and his wife Louise after the competition. “Dr. Sullivan had Secret Service here, and we thought, well, we can walk faster than them.”
Now the couple count themselves as two of the fastest walkers on the Island.
The real surprise of the day came on the women’s side, when 12-year-old Vineyarder Maia Donnelly beat out all her adult competitors with a time of a little over 22 minutes. She couldn’t contain her excitement after seeing her dad, Brian Donnelly, who crossed the finish line a few minutes before his daughter.
“That was awesome!” Maia said. “No, that was epic!”
“This might be the last year I can beat her,” Mr. Donnelly added. Maia’s coach Reann Steenkamp had some words of praise for his impressive runner.
“She’s beating the boys on our team,” Mr. Steenkamp said. “Maia’s one of those girls who always smiles. If I can borrow her smile for one day, I’ll make friends.”
The competitive bug affected Sam Feldman too, who crossed the finish line without his 93-year-old friend. Mr. Wyner. And why weren’t they arm-in-arm?
“He beat me!” Mr. Feldman roared. “That son of a . . . He better be ready for next year.”
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