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2008 RITA CASH 5K 5K
May 10, 2008 - Jacksonville FL
Photos by Ed Hardee
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Saturday, May 10 was a great day to run for good causes in North Florida. Runners took part in the RITA CASH 5K at Jacksonville’s Tinseltown, then cheered on the finishers in the Girls on the Run 5K, which started a half hour later.
The RITA CASH 5K, presented by JTC Running, is sponsored by the RITA (Research is the Answer) Foundation and Donna Hicken Foundation. The "CASH" part of the race’s name stands for Caring and Sharing Hope. Runners could raise money through sponsorships and pledges, and donate them to the charities of their choice.
The ample parking at Tinseltown came in handy as probably a thousand or more runners, volunteers and spectators were on hand for the two big events. The noncompetitive GOTR 5K was for girls age 8-12 who take part in the after-school program that encourages health and self-esteem through running.
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The blast of the cannon
signals the start of the RITA CASH 5K. |
Runners in both 5Ks lined up in the Tinseltown parking area, started with a dash across Gate Parkway and ran a two-loop course around DeerLake Road. Appropriately for Mother’s Day weekend, the RITA 5K also included a mother-daughter (and sister-sister) team competition.
Despite a warm and humid morning that seemed to mark the return of summer to North Florida, several Amelia Island Runners made the trip and endured the heat on their way to successful finishes.
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The Harms family of Neptune Beach – Craig, Susan and Nancy -- all took first in their age groups, as did Al Saffer of Jacksonville. Susan and Nancy added a second-place award in the team competition. Fernandina Beach was also well represented with Brooke Springer and the running Stanley family, Susan, David, Josh and Katie.
Brooke Springer, left,
was wearing the AIR colors.
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AIR runner Susan Stanley
crosses the finish line. |
RITA age-group winner Al Saffer
stayed for the Girls on the Run event. |
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