Frannie Peabody Center 5km Race in Ogunquit

Ogunquit is a favorite destination for runners, walkers, sunbathers, and others. Every year there are charity races that utilize the beautiful white sands of Ogunquit beach!

One local charity is the Frannie Peabody Center of Portland/Ogunquit. The Frannie Peabody mission is to "Prevent the spread of HIV and provide support for those living with HIV/AIDS in Maine". This agency does amazing things for people living with HIV. They also provide services for people at risk of HIV. Frannie Peabody's commitment to the people of Ogunquit has been exemplary! Consistently they have provided services, education, testing and prevention to countless visitors and residents.
         

Running through Ogunquit Square (Photo courtesy of Rick Barber)

This year was the 5th annual Frannie Peabody 5km race/walk. This professionally timed race features: runners, team runners, walkers and many  dedicated volunteers. Ogunquit's own Jimmy Lucibello is a big advocate and fundraiser for Frannie Peabody Center. He has personally raised over $8100 for this event and has donated his time to helping people that suffer from HIV. This year over $50,000 was raised, here in the little town of Ogunquit.

Greg & Jimmy Lucibello

The cost of the race is $25 which is amazing. For $25 you get a T-shirt, "goody-bag", yoga stretch, timed race, food,  post run message; and a beautiful race through Ogunquit that starts and ends on the beach! Ogunquit's Funny Man, Khris Francis, was the master of ceremonies. I always enjoy this hometown race and some of my guests at Ogunquit Beach Inn were able to participate this year.

My cousin Joshua ran the race this year. Joshua has got "bitten"  by the race bug. Throughout the spring, Joshua has been doing 5k's throughout northern New England. It was really fun to run with a member of my family; something I have never done before. Joshua towers over 6'2" (1.88cm), and is a Clydesdale of a runner. He trots along with a steady determined stride. His stamina is amazing. He gets so much out of running as I do!

Joshua & Greg

With rain in the forecast, spectator turnout was modest. Miraculously the sky cleared and the warm ocean breezes gave a refreshing start to this quick 5k race. The last 1.5 kilometers was the best and the hardest. Running on Ogunquit beach is something I do virtually everyday, but there was a modest headwind that slowed me down a bit. Running on sand does take more of an effort due to the texture of the sand against your running shoes.

I placed 5th overall with a time of 21.07/6.48 per mile. Not my best time, but a good time with friends, family and many wonderful volunteers, that make this, "A Beautiful Place, by-the-sea", for all!

The last 200 meters  I just "emptied my tank" and did my customary collapse as the tide rolled in at the finish line!

Frannie Peabody 5km Race - Ogunquit Maine

A race with drag queens in high heeled sneakers? Only in Ogunquit!

Today marks the 4th annual Frannie Peabody Center 5 kilometer run/walk for AIDS.  The Frannie Peabody center assists over 1500 clients that have AIDS in Maine. Frannie Peabody also sponsors outreach and AIDS testing in Maine. I am proud that the people of  Ogunquit provide so much monetary support for this wonderful agency. Once again the amazing Jimmy Lucibello raised over $8000 in donations.

After 31 years on our cultural landscape, AIDS is still a reality. Many people that attended the race have friends that are living with HIV or AIDS. The virus does not discriminate and education and awareness are essential in today's modern world.

It's also nice to have a 5 kilometer race in my adopted home town; I run some part of this course virtually every day. Race started on the beach, then north on Route One/Main Street (escorted by Ogunquit's Finest) then a right on to Ocean Ave, and then 1.5 kilometers of hard packed sand on Ogunquit beach!

(Running through the village centre.  Picture courtesy of Rick at Moon Over Maine)

This little race packs a lot of schwag.  Yoga stretches, and a goodie bag with t-shirt and snacks. Food from  Julies Provisto and Bread and Roses Bakery. The race ended at the beach with an old fashioned healthy cookout from Nancy's Catering. Entertainment provided by a DeeJay and  3 AIDS Awareness drag queens.Topped off with perfect weather and big waves! It doesn't get much better!

(Ogunquit's Mark Register & Bobby Winn)

I came in fifth overall with a time of 20.24/6.34 per mile. First place winner was elite runner and Ogunquit selectman Bobby Winn, followed by Ogunquit's Bryan Wilson and Mark Register. The race was professionally timed, and once again Bobby Winn set the course and built the starting gate!

Frannie Peabody 5k Beach Race Ogunquit 2011

Race against AIDS....

                                                                                                        (photo courtesy of Anthony Defeo)

Its hard to believe that it has been 30 years since the  AIDS pandemic reached our cultural radar screen.  AIDS has also affected the little hamlet of Ogunquit, as it has it many communities.

The Frannie Peabody Center is dedicated to providing comprehensive services to people with HIV/AIDS. This organization does amazing things for many people in the Ogunquit area.

Today marks the 3rd Annual Frannie Peabody Beach to Bay 5km Race for AIDS and 5k Walk.  The race is administered by Ogunquit's Jimmy Lucibello.

Over the  past 8 years I have done a variety of races for all kinds of causes.  However, the Ogunquit race is a bit different. For a small town race, it's actually quite festive. The whole weekend is devoted to AIDS awareness with functions and events taking place throughout the town.  The AIDS race featured:  a barbecue, food, massage therapists, deejay, yoga, goodie bags with t-shirt, and a giant piñata shaped as an AIDS ribbon. And of course there were drag queens to entertain and enlighten the masses. The AIDS memorial quilt was also on display at the Dunaway Center.

The race course was a bit different this year. It was a combination of beach, street, sand and wooden footbridge race.

The Ogunquit Police Department gave the runners and walkers an escort through town.  Ogunquit selectman Bobby Winn,  measured and set the race course. Winn is not only town selectman, he is also an elite runner, placing first at today's event.

I came in 4th overall with a time of 20.36. Not bad for a mixed course of sand, beach, and road. I averaged 6.38 minutes a mile. There was a modest headwind for the last mile on the beach.

The day was perfect: bright morning sun, great run on the beach with friends, food, entertainment and a lot of monetary support for the Frannie Peabody Center.....

See the results here....

For more information: http://www.peabodycenter.org/

To contact or find out about men's support group Click Here

Ogunquit Beach & Bay 5k run for AIDS. Frannie Peabody Center

“Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you  travelled from where you started.”                                     
                                 -unknown

(photo courtesy of Jordan.Freedman@gmail.com)

One thing that always amazes me about Ogunquit is how philanthropic people are. There are countless fundraisers, benefits and organizations that are always competing for donations in this little village. This weekend was no different.
I participated in the  "Beach & Bay 5k Run & Walk for AIDS" sponsored by the Frannie Peabody Center. This organization does amazing work in Ogunquit and in Maine. The center provides services with people with HIV or AIDS.
Ogunquit's comedian  Kris Francis was the Master of Ceremonies at today's event. Before he officially started the race, he asked all participants "to visualize and focus on someone who has died of AIDS or HIV".

This certified race was at 11 am this morning on Ogunquit beach. Weather was great, with a modest headwind coming from the south.
Ogunquit's elite runner, Bobby Winn came in first place (again) with a time of 17.14 minutes.
The race is very inclusive with 165 runners, walkers, drag queens and even a person with a wheelchair ( which in not easy in the sand!),


Many people donated there time, money and inkind services. Normand of Maine Street had the barbecue for runners and  walkers,  Julies Provisto had great coffee and other treats. Food was provided by many of the local bakeries and restaurants.

Winner, Bobby Winn and Mark Register.

Mark is a director for the Frannie Peabody Center. Mark oversees the development aspect and assists with the planning the 5k Beach and Bay with Ogunquit's AIDS activist Jimmy Lucibello. Lucibello stated that the event raised over $21,000. Amazing for such a small town; and that does not include the inkind donations or other services provided.

I came in 7th with a time of 22.03 almost one minute off from last year's time. Not my best race, but then again, I am running on Ogunquit beach amongst friends for a worthwhile cause......