Running for Kids

It was sunny with temps in the low 70s when 165 eager participants stepped to the starting line for the 10th annual Kiwanis Family 5K Run/Walk. 

Held recently, the event raised just over $10,000 for the Marco Island Kiwanis Club’s youth programs. The race starts and ends at Tigertail Beach, taking runners and walkers on a 3.1-mile course that ventures through scenic Hideaway Beach and its boardwalks, preserves, golf course and views of the Gulf of Mexico. 

“We had a great, great, great day,” said Alex Galiana, the race chair. “All of the money goes back to the children in our community, anywhere from Marco Island Academy to the (Marco Island Charter) middle school, to up to Manatee (elementary and middle schools).” 

The event is referred to as a “fun run,” it’s also professionally timed by Pure Gold Athletes Corp. of Coral Springs. The Top Three finishers were Devan Evanovich, 28, of Bethel Park, Pa., with a time of 18:19.88; Bryan McNamara, 31, of Providence, R.I., with a time of 18:48.92; and Alexis Lamb, 43, of Alpharetta, Ga., with a time of 19:45.41. 

The Kiwanis Family 5K attracts participants ranging from pre-schoolers to grade school students to octogenarians. One of them was two-year-old Owen Snyder of Naples, whom Galiana said provided a heart-warming moment. 

“A kind of a neat thing is that our youngest runner, he ran a little bit, with a little help from mother in stroller, but he actually ran across the finish line, he said. He was our youngest runner.” 

Owen’s father, Michael Snyder, 32, captured first place in the Male 25 - 34 Division with a time of 29:18.89. 

Galiana said the proceeds were in line with what was generated last year despite the fact there were slightly fewer than the 175 who took part in 2023. 

“Our target goal is always $10,000, and we surpassed that,” he said. “That’s excellent, I'm happy with it. All of our donors are predominantly Marco Island establishments.”

He was grateful for the race sponsors: Carvelli Restaurant Group, NCH Health Systems, The Florida Stone Crab Association, Marco Island Furniture and Design, Rose Marina, Kathein Jewelers, Doreen's Cup of Joe, Ehlen Flooring, Islander Pool and Patio, Italian Deli, Joey's Pizza and Pasta House, Kretch's Kitchen, 2Shea's Salty Dog, Siegel Dental,  the Hideaway Community, Coastal Breeze News, Marco Island Bike Rentals, Condee Cooling and Electric, Winn Dixie and the Sunshine Stitchers.