Tortoise and Hare 5K Brings Out Competitors for Good Cause

Early morning showers and a freqeuent frigid breeze were no match for the Annual Tortise and Hare 5K and all of its supporters  Rain or shine, the runners from Greenbelt and beyond gathered at the Greenbelt Youth Center early Saturday morning.

Tiny tots to seniors pledged to run or walk the more than 3-mile USA Track and Field-certified race path, which began and ended at the Greenbelt Tennis Courts.  All were invited to run the course, twice around Greenbelt Lake in support of Greenbelt Nursery School.

Greenbelt Nursery School, is a non-profit cooperative run by parents and local administrators. Celebrating their 69th anniversary this year, the Tortoise and Hare 5K is a fundraising effort to raise money in order for the school to continue its mission to accept children of all socio-economic statuses and provided tuition support for those in need.

"This year we had a large number of walkers in the race.  We hope to encourage everyone to come out and join us whether they walk or run," Kimberly Brooks said. Brooks has served as the race coordinator for the Tortoise and Hare 5K for the past two years and is also a parent of a Greenbelt Nursery child. 

Top finishers, completing the race in less than 20 minutes, were awarded prizes of $25 gift certificates to local running companies from Greenbelt Nursery School.  For the males, Stephen Wills finished in first place and top overall, followed closely by Bernard Kelly and Lloyd Rolly in the male category. For the female competitors, Shannon Hoffman in first place and preteen Sofie Dabelko.

Following the 5K, all children were invited for a "Fun Run" of 50 yards, and each received a prize ribbon.