Christian Lumenello's Lifeguard 5 km Dash on Ogunquit Beach

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must KEEP MOVING.
-Albert Einstein

So many people find pleasure on Ogunquit beach.  This morning there was a 5K race in honor of a lifeguard who lost his life. Hundreds gathered for this festive 5 kilometer run on the sands of Ogunquit beach.

Christian Lumenello was a lifeguard that passed tragically. This was the 3rd annual run that raises thousands of dollars for lifeguard services in Ogunquit.

The weather was overcast and humid, but that did not stop over 300 runners that ran down the beach through tide pools and uneven sand! Once again, elite runner Bobby Winn placed first with an amazing time of 17 minutes and 8 seconds. Bear in mind Bobby is 55 years old!

I placed third in my age category, with a time of 21.30 ( definitely not my best time).

Christian Lumenello 5km Lifeguard Dash- Ogunquit Beach

Today is a bittersweet day. It's a picture perfect day on Ogunquit beach, and there is a 5 kilometer race at low tide.

It's bittersweet, because the race honors the life of  Ogunquit lifeguard, Christian Lumenello. Christian was taken away tragically in September of 2010.

                           (Christian's mother, Laura Rose. Photo courtesy of Samantha Stephens.)

The race, Christian's Lifeguard Dash, is organized by members of the community and his mother, Laura Rose. Christian was the quintessential teenager in the seaside town of Ogunquit, ME. He was an outstanding athlete. Christian also worked in his families restaurant, Rose Cove Cafe.

The race takes place on the hard packed sand of Ogunquit beach. Ogunquit beach is where Christian worked as a lifeguard and assisted in the rescue of many distressed swimmers in the unpredictable Atlantic.

(Photo courtesy of Samantha Stephens)

Proceeds from the race benefit lifeguard services. Last year proceeds bought a jet ski and assisted young people in becoming American Red Cross certified lifeguards.

The weather was picture perfect with wind coming in off the ocean. I completed the 5 kilometer sand course in 21 minutes and 08 seconds, placing 11th out of 207 participants. I placed first in my age group. Last year for this race I clocked in at 21.02, so my timing was off by a few seconds. I find it hard to break the sub 21 time barrier on sand. The last race I did, was a combo of  Ogunquit beach and street, and my time was sub 21 minutes.

Our guest at the Ogunquit Beach Inn Vince from Connecticut also ran this 5 km race.

Christian's Lifeguard Dash

I've done many races here in Maine, Florida and abroad. Often times the races are for a charity, and in someones memory. Today I did Christian's Lifeguard Dash.  I knew Christian Lumenello. This was the first race that I participated in and actually knew the person.

Christian Lumenello was a lifeguard, surfer, athlete and student. He lived in Ogunquit Maine along with his brothers and mother. I saw Christian grow up from a little boy in his mother's ice cream shop to a full fledged lifeguard on Ogunquit Beach. His mother, Laura Rose, owns a popular cafe and ice cream shop, and the family lives up above the shop. On the night of September 11, 2010, Christian was tragically involved in a motor vehicle crash, and passed away at 16.

Today in his memory, his mother, father and many friends sponsored this 5k race in his name. Proceeds from the race will go towards scholarships to certify Ogunquit lifeguards. Christian was credited in many ocean rescues from distressed swimmers. The 5 kilometer race was held on Ogunquit beach at low tide. Christian's mother, Laura Rose started the race with yoga poses and stretches.

There were over 253 runners, walkers and many more spectators gathered on Ogunquit beach for this certified 5 kilometer race. At the first mile marker my pace was 6.38 minutes. On the way back there was a slight head wind. The sand was a bit soft, and there were smaller tidal pools to run through.

I clocked in at 21.02. Not my best race, but not bad nonetheless. I really wanted sub 21 minute. I was 13th out of 253 registered runners. I also came in first in my age bracket.  There was a young woman that was ahead of me. She clocked in at one second earlier. She was clearly a good runner. After finishing the race, I later learned that she has a stress fracture, and went back to her crutches!

Elite runner, Bobby Winn, races for the finish line with one of his past students, Igore. Igore is a student at Wells High School. Bobby Winn is also a selectman for the town of Ogunquit and helped set the course.

Two of my guests at Ogunquit Beach Inn also participated in the 5k race. Jodi won a medal for top female in her age category!

Blogger, Innkeeper, and Ogunquit enthusiast GreGorio  customarily collapses after crossing the finish line....

Photos courtesy of Matty B.

Timing on Coolrunning.