We Gather Together 5K

Sandwich, MA, November 22, 2001

We Gather Together 5K - A Great Success

by Rich Havens

MEDIA RELEASE

For Further Information Contact:
Rich Havens
Time Out! Productions
P.O. Box 543
Forestdale, MA 02644
Phone: (508)-477-6311
E-Mail: timeout@capecod.net
Website: www.timeoutproductions.com

'WE GATHER TOGETHER 5K' GOBBLES UP 800 RUNNERS AND 20,000 GROCERIES

(Sandwich, Massachusetts...November, 2001) 'Giving' was never more evident than on Cape Cod at the first annual 'We Gather Together 5K' run and walk conducted on Thanksgiving morning for the benefit of the Sandwich Food Pantry and affiliated food pantries on the Upper Cape. The Super Stop & Shop Plaza played host to this entry fee- free event, directed by Time Out! Productions; where 800 runners and walkers answered the call to cover 3.1 miles of Cape Cod Canal hugging roadways. Unique to most road races, organizers asked that in lieu of an entry fee, participants donate a bag of groceries for the food pantry cause. Although the minimum quantity-per-bag request was set at 10 items, entrants got into the spirit generating a bounty of some 1,200 bags and 20,000 groceries. In light of recent terrorism and a sluggish economy, the contribution was a major boost to pantries, which have experienced decreased donations of groceries and an increased demand for them. Rich Havens, Race Director and President of Time Out! Productions, is looking ahead to the second annual 'We Gather' 5K and predicts 1,000 to 1,500 enrollees.

Although the 5K saw a mix of runners and walkers, the field was stocked with greyhounds. Geof Newton of Brewster (MA) and employed by Infinium of Hyannis legged the 3.1 miles 30 seconds (time of 16 minutes nine seconds) faster than runner-up and triathlete Tim Downes of Centerville (16:39). The first 40 of 724 finishers covered the distance under 20 minutes, including women's winner Margaret Hughes of Needham (19:13). Mark Higgins of Plymouth was the contest's sole wheelchair entrant, finishing in 19:24. Prizes were awarded to men and women finishers as follows: top two overall, top two Sandwich residents and top two in age groups starting from 12 and under through 70 and over.

5K coverage will be presented on Sandwich Community Television (cable station 13) in the weeks prior to Christmas. Sandwich viewers are asked to check Cable 13 programs listings for times. Coverage will also show footage of a special 'Kidz-K', a half-mile fun run for children 12 and under. Event expenses were covered through generous contributions by the following businesses: Time Out! Productions, Jack Conway Realtor, Foot Care Essentials, Dr. Richard Sadowski DMD, The Enterprise Newspapers, Austins Screenprinting and Embroidery, Sir Speedy Printing of Hyannis, Signs Now, American Tent and Table, Marshland Restaurant, Cape Cod Bagel Company, Bobby Byrne's Restaurant and Pub, Vermont Pure Spring Water, Costa Fruit and Produce, Ocean Spray Cranberries, Mini-Stor and U-Haul of Sandwich, Moore Sports, Bouse House, Crowell's, Ice Cream Sandwich, Hat's Off For Randie, Twin Acres Ice Cream, City Sports, Granite State Race Services and Runner's World. Time Out! Productions wishes to salute the many volunteer groups who gave their time; which included Sandwich High School Marketing/ DECA, Sandwich Junior Women's Club, Sandwich Food Pantry and Boy Scout Troop 47 sponsored by the DeWitt Clinton Lodge. Finally, without the consent of The Town of Sandwich and Super Stop & Shop Plaza/ Tedeschi Realty Corporation, the We Gather Together 5K would not have been possible.