Hundreds Run for the Fight Against Lyme Disease

Over 300 people came to the Sherwood Island National Park in Westport early Sunday morning to raise funds and awareness in the fight against Lyme disease.  The second annual run/walk was sponsored by Create Footprints and the Turn the Corner Foundation — a non-profit organization founded by Staci and Richard Grodin that raises funds to support Lyme disease research programs and initiatives.  

Orna Grand of Westport, with support from Karen Kissling of Wilton and Mellisa Bradshaw Mack of Weston, has organized the event for the past two years.  Grand has suffered from Lyme disease since 2002 and wanted to become involved with an event that would help raise awareness about the disease and also provide information on how to detect and treat it.  Through the help of the Turn the Corner Foundation and Create Footprints, Orna is hopeful that with the funds raised at events like today's run, there will be "better testing, more accurate testing, and early diagnosis."

In addition to the runners and walkers, more than a dozen booths were set up to provide information on detecting, treatment, diagnosis, and preventing Lyme disease.  Monica Wheeler, a registered nurse and  the Community Health Director of Westport/Weston, was thrilled that all of Fairfield County has come together to support the event.  The Ridgefield Task Force BLAST (which stands for Bathe after being outside, Look for ticks and remove, Apply repellent to skin and clothes, Spray the perimeter of your yard for ticks and Treat your pets with vet recommended products) had a booth that highlighted the prevention of Lyme.   

The 1st place male and female winners of the 10K run were Andrew Aspen, 34 of Weston with a time of 37:58, and Caroline Murray, a 16-year-old New Canaan resident, with a time of 38:07.  The 2nd place 10K winners were Kevin Robertson and Amy Fredricks.  

The 1st place male and female winners of the 5K run where Wesley Oliveira, 42 of Bridgeport, with a time of 18:58 and Debbie Kaufman, a 23-year-old Easton resident, with a time of 24:04.  The 2nd place winners where Sam Cohen, a 15-year-old Staples High School student, and Melinda Montovani of West Hartford.

Awards were presented to the 1st and 2nd place winners and raffle prizes were given to 30 winners.  Music was provided by local Reggae Band "The Truth", food and drinks where donated by Whole Foods, Crystal Rock, Steaz Drinks, Gold's Deli, Robeck's, and Cliff Bars, and massages where given by the Sabita Holistic Center of Southport.