In its 8th year, the Run for Kathy 5K, which is held each year in October at Allen Pond Park in Bowie, MD, is an incredibly well organized and community supported event.

The 5K course has everything. The start is straight and wide open--all runners have plenty of room to get into position and settle into their pace. Upon leaving Allen Pond Park, the runners file straight down Northview Drive before turning to make a loop through the residential community which has some small hills. Safety is clearly a priority at this race as all traffic is strictly controlled by well positioned officers from the Prince Georges County Police. The course makes its way back to the path that loops around Allen Pond. Runners can see and hear the crowd at the finish line as they run alongside the lake for the final 0.3 miles.

First, second, and third places prizes, along with a medal, are awarded in eight age groups. The prizes include gift certificates to great places like McCormick & Schmicks, Jolie Day Spa, Bobby Van's Steakhouse, Road ID, and Tel-a-Runner place. The overall men's winner was George Vogel (16:46). For the women, it was Kathleen Liever (18:28). This was the first time George and Kathleen competed in the Run for Kathy. They edged out long time participants like Blake Johnson (16:57), Ian Banks (17:03) and Sheryl Kline (19:32). Make no doubt; this race is for all ages. Richard Williams, at 70 years young, won his age group with a time of 23:33--that is a pace of 7:20 min/mile! In a slightly younger age group, Tommy McGee (age 7) finished in 26:13.

In photo below, George Vogel (33) of Alexandria, VA win the race in 16:47 and happily receives his award.

In addition to the 5K race, there is a Family Walk (free to all) that loops around Allen Pond. Then there is the popular 1-mile Kids Run, in which the kids are cheered by the crowd as they experience the thrill of crossing the finish line--at which point they are awarded a 1st place ribbon and a balloon.

The race may be over then, but the activities continue...in the background is the upbeat DJ from HOT 99.5 playing music and organizing games. The children enjoyed face painting, crafts, and swinging at a candy filled pinata. The park also has a playground area. Also, nobody leaves hungry...the pavilion looks like a buffet that includes Panera Bread bagels, Popeye's chicken, Pizza Hut pizza, and a variety of fruit.

For those of us that did not finish in the top 3....our chances of going home with something are still good. The door prizes are some of the best around. I am not sure how many there were (about 50), but numbers kept on getting called and people kept on walking up to receive gifts such as Under Armour apparel (more than 30 items were given away!) and gift certificates to Panera Bread, Bowie Baysox, and Crofton Bowling Alley.

The Long and Popp families started the Run for Kathy Organization in 1999 in honor of Kathryn Popp-Long who died of cervical cancer that same year. Since that time, they have raised more than $75,000. All this money has gone directly to The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD to support patient services and medical research. This is the center in which Kathy was treated both medically and compassionately.

In one way or another, cancer affects us all. More than 500,000 people in the United States die each year from this disease. Although there have been advances in both research and treatment, unyielding public support is needed to get us to the day when all cancer patients are cured - this can be a reality. Everything about the Run for Kathy--the organizers, the volunteers and the participants, represent that spirit.

In photo below, Kathleen Liever (28) of Alexandria, VA is sixth overall, winning the women's race in 18:29.

Full Race Results