A record-breaking crowd of more than 500 runners and walkers participated in the fourth annual Adam Thompson 5K Run/Walk Sunday morning at Harford Community College.
The race, on a USA Track and Field Certified Course, honored the memory of Adam Thompson, a first-year Harford Community College student who was killed in an automobile accident in 2011.
The overall male winner was Geoffrey Rinehart, who completed the race in 19:39. Jennifer Snyder was the top female runner. She finished in 23:57.
A record amount of more than $30,000 was raised to benefit two scholarships: The Adam Thompson Memorial Nursing Scholarship at Harford Community College and The Adam Thompson Memorial Education Scholarship at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health. Both scholarships support students attending Harford Community College.
The race began with Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and race founder Dr. Pat Thompson, giving welcoming remarks. Representatives from American Addiction Centers, one of the race's gold sponsors, started the race. Comedian Mickey Cucchiella served as emcee for the post-race awards ceremony.
The top fundraising team was the UM Harford Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Services, which raised $1,200
The Enforces, with 134 members, was the largest team.
The race was hosted by the Thompson family, Harford Community College Foundation and the Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation. Pat Thompson, Adam's mother, has been a nursing instructor at Harford Community College for the past eight years and is a 30-year team member at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health.
"My heart is so full because of the support of the community for this race. We broke records for attendance and for the amount of funds raised by the race," Thompson said. "Thanks to the support of all involved, we will be able to increase the number of scholarships we are giving to deserving students at Harford Community College. I can't think of a better way to honor the memory of my son."
Many activities took place before and after the race. They included appearances by the Orioles bird; Poe from the Ravens; Harford Community College's Screech the Owl; the Towson Tiger mascot and the Bayhawk Cheerleaders. A children's play area, supervised by volunteers from Kohl's, offered ping pong, corn hole, face painting, hula hoops and more.
Dr. John Alexander from Ultimate Health demonstrated active release technique to help aid recovery and improve physical performance. Freedom Federal Credit Union was on-site with its prize wheel and giveaways, as was Long and Foster's Aberdeen Office, offering a free raffle for a basket of Ravens and Orioles items. Lorien Health Systems brought its trolley.
The Harford Community College Student Nursing Association offered blood pressure screenings. The Aberdeen Police Department brought its community police vehicle and the Bel Air Police Department brought its utility police truck.
The race's gold sponsors were American Addiction Centers; Harford Primary Care and MediaWise Inc.; silver sponsors, Artistry in Plastic Surgery, Dr. Brent Birely; Behavioral Health Services, UM Harford Memorial Hospital; The Bergand Group, Professional Recovery Group; CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; Dr. William P. Cook, UC Orthopedic Specialty Group and Joint Center; Hulse Insurance Agency LLC, Exclusive Allstate Agency; Lorien Health Systems; Drs. Roger and Melissa Schneider and University of Maryland Emergency Medicine Physicians LLC; bronze sponsors, Clearwater Pool & Spa; Freedom Federal Credit Union; County Executive Barry Glassman and Lynch Primary Care; and friends, The Arena Club; Auston Contracting Inc.; Contemporary Business Interiors LLC; Floyd and Judith Grimm; HCC Student Nurses Association; Herb's on the Curb; Heron's Creek Assisted Living; Bill and Cheney Hibschman; Dr. Jeffrey Horowitz, Plastic Surgery; Innovative Insurance Solutions; Michael, Marie and Liam Laatsch; Lincare; Olivia's Consignment Shop; Ruth and Bill Peterman; Right at Home; Saxon's Diamond Centers Inc.; UM Upper Chesapeake Health Nursing Leadership and Way of Life Community Church.
In-kind sponsors were Bertucci's; F.W. Haxel; HCC Dining Services; Herb's on the Curb; Home Depot, Timonium; Maria's Pizza, Havre de Grace; Planet Fitness; UM UCH Nutritional Services; and Under Armour.