Good Samaritan Center's Annual 5k Doubles in Attendance

*Race organizer and Good Samaritan Center Board President Don Ledford and GSC Director Sara Noblet all smiles after Saturday’s 5k event.*

The Good Samaritan Center’s annual event, the Tortoise and the Hare 5k Run, Walk, and Roll, saw some big changes this year as Other Trails Coffee and Goods headline sponsored the race. Thanks to their generous support, every dollar raised through registration fees went directly to benefit the Good Samaritan Center, whose mission for over 35 years has been to alleviate hunger and homelessness in the Excelsior Springs area.

Over 200 participants, include 84 5k racers and 116 walkers, gathered at Other Trails Coffee & Goods and the Circle Drive at the Hall of Waters in Excelsior Springs to take part in the race. The runners and walkers followed a new out-and-back course that primarily ran on the paved trail winding through five parks: Fishing River Linear Park, Paul Craig Park, Isley Park Woods, East Valley Park, and Siloam Mountain Park. The route offered a scenic view, and participants passed the historic Superior Well.

Every participant received a high-quality shirt that featured the original artwork of local artist and avid runner Holly Spencer. The medals, which have become collector’s items each year, were sponsored by ReeceNichols Realtors Excelsior Springs and incorporated design elements of the lighting fixtures hanging on the ceiling in the Hall of Water’s solarium. The first-place overall finishers in the men’s and women’s divisions of the 5k race received a $100 gift card from The Running Well Store, while the first-place finisher in both men’s and women’s age group categories won a $20 gift card from Dubious Claims Brewing Company.

1-18 years division winners:
Isaiah Schwall, ES
Caitlyn Cline, Lawson

19-30 years division winners:
Mauricio Schwall, ES
Hallie Vassmer, ES

31-40 years division winners:
Tony Carrasco, ES
Rebecca Jones, Kearney

41-50 years division winners:
Jim Gilley, Independence
Anne Winter, Kearney

51-60 years division winners:
Adonis Bailey, Rayville
Cindy Blakeley, Cameron

61+ years division winners:
Spencer Dulaney, KCMO
Ceil Stark, Lawson

Victor Hurlbert of Liberty and Mary Beth Daniels of Independence were crowned the King and Queen of the Hill, respectively, after being the first runners to reach the top of Siloam Mountain. They received a mug and $20 gift card from Other Trails Coffee & Goods.

Good Samaritan Center Director Sara Noblet reported that the Tortoise and Hare event was able to double its participants from the previous year after coming back from a hiatus due to COVID-19 the previous year. The event’s operating costs were fully subsidized by sponsors, which meant that every dollar raised from the race registration went directly to support the Good Samaritan Center’s work in the community.

To learn more about the Good Samaritan Center and their mission or to make a donation, visit their website at goodsamaritancenter.com.