Mariners 5K draws hundreds of runners, walkers

Jon Williams is the first racer across the finish line in the Mariners Hospital Gordon Present 5K Walk/Run. He finished in 17:53.

 

To finish line observers at Mariners Hospital’s 5K last weekend, it may have looked like Jon Williams of Miami was flying toward them as he completed the race in 17 minutes and 53 seconds. It was a full 47 seconds before Tavernier runner Pierre Marc Bellion crossed the finish line in second place. The Mariners Hospital Gordon Present 5K Walk/Run raised close to $32,000 for Mariners Center for Excellence in Nursing.

A total of 244 runners and walkers registered for the Nov. 20 race along the Old Highway from Coral Shores High School to Treasure Village Montessori School.

The first woman runner to finish was Tavernier resident Joan Scholz in 21:37.

The top walker was Marathon resident Cory Walter, finishing in 31:29. This is the third year Walter has taken top female walker honors, and she bettered her 2009 time by 10 seconds.

The male walkers were led by Tavernier resident Ken Watkins, 36:59.

Don Nelson of the Key West Southernmost Runners Club sanctioned the race.