Florida runners win A.R. Inspirational
Published 8:38 pm Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Kevin Sweeny of Ocala, Fla., and Beth Sutkowy of Brandon, Fla., won the male and female championships in times of 17 minutes, 7 seconds, and 21 minutes, 15 seconds at Sunday’s third annual Amanda Regan A.R. Inspirational 5,000-meter run.
Receiving special awards for competing in their first 5,000-meter run were brother and sister Ashton and Caitlin Cato. Ashton was 13th overall with a time of 25:47, and Caitlin was 21st overall with a time of 28:54.
Male and female winners of the accompanying one-mile fun run were Ross Parker and Mabry Grace Briggs.
Sweeny, the chief of staff for Florida Sen. Charlie Dean and Sutkowy, a legislative aide to Florida Sen. Ronda Storms, both said they thought the run, which began in front of Bainbridge Middle School and concluded in front of the Decatur County Memorial Coliseum, was challenging.
“I want to thank Kyle Davis of Bainbridge for going to Atlanta and running in a half marathon this weekend,” Sweeny said. “It gave me a better chance to win.’
Proceeds from the run, in honor and memory of Amanda Regan, a Bainbridge High School inclusion teacher who was killed in a car accident, each year go into a medical fund for the late honoree’s daughter, Courtney, who has cerebral palsy. Courtney was presented a special ribbon and bouquet of flowers.