Three hundred and two registered runners gathered early Saturday morning at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square for the Running of the Squares 5K Race. With an air horn blast at 8 a.m., runners ranging in age from 10 to 87 took off amidst cheers from family, friends, pets, and The Villages Cheerleaders.
Cloud coverage kept them cool and fresh fruit and cool water waited for them on the other side of the finish line.
The race was tight, but South Sumter High School junior Joseph Cilenti, 16, crossed the finish line first, completing the 3.1 mile course with a time of 19 minutes and 53 seconds.
Cilenti had taken part in his first-ever 5K this past September at the House of Hope 5K. You can read about his first-place finish in that race HERE
Following in his footsteps was younger brother Jonah, running his first race and placing 13th overall.
Hannah DuShane, 22, of Oxford, was the first woman to finish the race, and placed fifth overall at 21 minutes and 6 seconds.
This year’s youngest runner was 10-year-old Tanner Smith of Ocala. He is new to running, but took first place in the 14 & Under division and finished sixth over all at 21 minutes and 56 seconds.
This year’s oldest participant was U.S. Air Force veteran David Weber of Gainesville.
The 87-year-old Baltimore native is a long-time runner and finished Saturday’s race in just 55 minutes and 25 seconds.
Familiar faces from The Villages held their own, running individually and with community teams. House of Hope had the largest community team this year with 17 members running and plenty of support on the sidelines. Properties of The Villages was close behind with 16.
The final race of this year’s series takes place March 26 at Spanish Springs Town Square.
Results from Saturday’s race can be found at https://runsignup.com/race/results/?raceId=5745#resultSetId-21758
