Gingerbread 5K hits cold morning streets of Port Royal

Gingerbread 5K hits cold morning streets of Port Royal

gingerbread 5k port royalBy Martha McDuff | The first ever Gingerbread 5K  in the Beaufort area hit the streets of Port Royal on a cold Saturday morning but the weather didn’t damper the turnout, or the festive atmosphere of Beaufort’s inaugural Christmas race. The enthusiastic crowd runners, walkers, dogs and strollers donned their ugly sweaters, Santa hats and elf and reindeer costumes to enjoy the 40 degree morning race, hosted by Friends of Caroline Hospice. 

The course was one I had never run before and it brings you to all the highlights in Port Royal. It included Paris Avenue, the neighborhoods and The Sands. The course was well marked with wonderful volunteers and a police car led the way.

The top finishers of the 5K:

1st Place: Nash Mills 18:07
2nd Place: Charlie Bennett 19:14
3rd Place: Gavin Moore 19:17

The race was timed by Tim Waz of Grounded Running, who was dressed in his reindeer costume. 

“We’re very happy to partner with Friends of Caroline Hospice to put on this fun event in Port Royal,” Tim said.

“Kudos to the Town of Port Royal for their help and their willingness to offer a new, flat, fast course in the area. We’ll be working with Friends of Caroline Hospice throughout this year to have the new course certified by the USATF,” he added.

“The turnout was fantastic for a first year race and it was cool to see all the festive costumes,” said Lindsay Roberg, Director of Friends of Caroine Hospice, who was on hand volunteering at the event.

A 5K is a lot of fun. A festive costumed 5K is even more fun.

Thanks to Friends of Caroline Hospice for bringing this to our community and we’re looking forward to next year.

For over 100 photos of the fun, visit our Gingerbread 5K Photo Gallery here.

Photos by ESPB/Jessica Miller

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