Strides for Hope 5K Raises Over $75,000 for EAF's Mission
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EAF board member Louise Riggio, 5K winner Gilles Bardoux, Laena Romond, and EAF board member R. Scot Evans. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media. |
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Feb. 21, 2024 – Wellington, Fla. – Despite gusty winds and unseasonable temperatures, the equestrian and running communities showed up en masse Monday morning to participate in EAF’s third annual Strides for Hope 5K. The event netted over $75,000 for EAF’s mission of helping horse people through times of medical crisis or other unforeseen catastrophe. Gilles Bardoux and Laena Romond topped the field of 337 walkers and runners with times of 19:12.3 and 19:13.7 respectively. Behind Bardoux, Denis Sweeney and Hunter Kay rounded out the top three male finishers. Sammi Kraus and Shelby Young were second and third in the women’s division. |
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Future 5K'ers in the MeadowView Farm Kids' Dash. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media |
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“Our event committee was absolutely thrilled by the enthusiastic turnout today,” said EAF board member Louise Riggio, whose MeadowView Farm sponsored the morning's Kids' Dash. “It was by far our largest 5K yet. EAF is here for the equestrian community, and clearly our community is here for EAF!” |
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Team Challenges In addition to the 5K and the MeadowView Kids’ Dash, runners participated in several team challenges. A total of 25 teams represented barns, businesses and families from within the equestrian community and beyond. Virtual teams from the Hamptons to California also showed their support for EAF's mission.
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Team Beacon Hill. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media For the third consecutive year, Team Beacon Hill brought the largest team to the event, earning the title of Friend-raising Champions. Captained by Krista Freundlich, 36 Beacon Hill runners and walkers crossed the Strides finish line. Team Robert Dover/Robert Ross PA won Friend-raising honors for the largest corporate team with 20 members in attendance. |
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Left: Jared DePermentier of Team Ingram. Right: Team alice + olivia. Photos by Alden Corrigan Media Team Ingram, represented by Jared DePermentier, rose to the top in the Fundraising Challenge, raising over $13,000 for EAF’s mission. Second place fundraising honors went to Eloise Eisner’s team alice + olivia, whose junior members made their philanthropic mark on the event. |
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Team Heritage Ever versatile, Team Heritage transitioned out of a busy WCHR Week to win the Speed Challenge, with Laena Romond, Cody Dunlap, Shelby Young and Catie Staszak clocking a combined time of 1:25.23.2.
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The Brat Pack. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media Liz Soroka’s ‘80s-themed Brat Pack brought out the crimping iron and neon lycra to win top honors in the New Hope Team Costume Challenge. Full race results can be found here. |