On Sunday, Dec. 14, 500 runners braved below-freezing temperatures and snow-covered roads in Salem to participate in the 14th Annual Festivus 5K for Autism. The event, hosted by Finz Seafood & Grill, raised over $32,000 (and still counting) for the Northshore Education Consortium (NEC), one of the largest providers of special education services on the North Shore.
Kyle Taylor, 34, of Marblehead and Notch Run Club, was the men’s overall winner with a time of 17:22. Nicole Lunt, 41, of Salem and team Sweetness, was the women’s overall winner with a time of 20:39. Wicked Running Club was the winner of the team award with runners Emmanuel Santiago, Raul Alejandro, Anthony Curcuru, Edward Ciancarelli, and Mary Herchenhahn.
Many staff, students, and friends of the Consortium were there running, walking, volunteering, and cheering folks on. NEC students participated by baking their famous muffin tops, creating Festivus pole trophies, screen printing race shirts, and printing marketing materials.
Runners, volunteers, and sponsors celebrated after the race with a Festivus-themed party at Finz that included ever-popular local DJ Rick Freni. Race organizers presented awards for best costumes, winning runners, and top Festivus grievances.
Festivus is an alternative holiday celebration, made popular by the TV show “Seinfeld,” which includes an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the Airing of Grievances and Feats of Strength, and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.”
This year’s major sponsors include: Crowley Cares; Rockland Trust; JHR Development; Institution for Savings; It Starts with Me!; Kruger Industrial Smoothing; Holloway Oil & Gas LLC; Education Consulting, Advocacy & Legal Services, LLC; and Steve and Janis Ridgely. Thank you to our valued sponsor New England Running Company.
Special thanks to the Salem police who did a great job controlling traffic and keeping runners safe during the race. And thank you to the many Salem residents along the route who cheered our runners on and played holiday music!
For more on the Festivus 5K for Autism, visit https://runsignup.com/festivus5kforautism.
Rick and Cindy Johnson, Race Directors,
Festivus 5K for Autism,
Salem