Kiwanis Family 5K Returns After Two Year Hiatus

Temperatures were hovering around 55 degrees Saturday morning with a chilly 12 mph wind blowing in from the north, but the 146 finishers in the Kiwanis Family 5K Run/Walk Event weren’t complaining. The race started at Tigertail Park, wound through Hideaway Beach and finished back at the park. After a two-year hiatus caused by COVID concerns, everyone seemed happy to have the popular run/walk event back.

“This is our eighth 5K race,” said Alex Galiana, race chairman. “We took the last two years off, so we’re excited to bring it back. Usually we do it in the fall, but we’re thinking of making it a spring event. We had 80 signups Monday. It ballooned to 175 last night. We’ve designated the proceeds to the MIA athletic program, emphasizing the track team and the cross-country team.”

The overall top finisher was Tyler Mastrangelo with a time of 17:47. Elizabeth Hobbs was the top female finisher at 23:23.

Galiana was grateful for the race sponsors: Title sponsor Carvelli Restaurant Group, Rose Marina, Siegel Deal, Bill and Karen Young, Phelan Family Brands, Imperial Marine, BCB Homes, Cocomo’s, Doreen’s Cup of Joe, Ehlen Flooring, Hoot’s, Italian Deli, Joey’s, Kathryn Jewelers, Kretch’s Marco Bike Rental, Marco Island Furniture and Design, Marco Island Mattress Company, NCH, 2Shea’s Salty Dog, Shoreline Physician Group, Dr. Portu, Volhr, Coastal Breeze News, Law Offices of Hodges and Snyder, Collier County Parks Department and Sunshine Stitchers.