On Saturday, May 17, 84 runners and walkers took off from the start line of the Whitaker Wander 5k to support White Mountain Community Health Center’s programs that make healthcare accessible to all in the Mount Washington Valley.
Marcelo Maiorano, a nurse practitioner at the Health Center, came in first place, finishing the 5k course in 21:21. The other top male runners were Campbell Light, 23:38; and James Johnston, 24:04. Kaitlyn SeeHusen was the first female to cross the finish line in 25:34, followed by Gail Gordon, 25:43; and Marialaina Lefebvre, 26:56.
In the 55+ category, the top female runners were Andrea Leonard, 26:55; Anne Parmenter, 30:03; and Mary Nagel, 31:01. The top male 55+ runners were Stephen Paul, 33:43; Skip Spadaccini, 36:16; and Rich Leonard, 37:31.
The top walkers were Teri Karnopp, 47:28; Sarah Day, 48:25; and Patricia Ashworth, 52:29. Twenty-three children completed the 1-mile fun run.
Full results are available here.
The Whitaker Wander 5k was first held in 2019 to support the Health Center’s programs and to bring awareness to all of the services the organization offers the community. The event has grown ever year it’s been held, with 109 total registrations this year.
The Health Center fosters community-wide health through quality and compassionate services. These include primary care, dental care, substance use disorder treatment, dietician services, sexual and reproductive health service, a teen walk-in clinic, behavioral health care, and care coordination. The organization makes sure that everyone in Mount Washington Valley can access these services through a generous sliding fee scale and other programs that remove barriers to care.
Support from the community makes this possible. The Whitaker Wander 5k raised close to $8000 to support the Health Center’s programs and services. This support is particularly critical in a year when the organization’s government support has been cut on both the state and the federal level.
Board member and race co-director Caitlin Behr said, ““I couldn't be more pleased with how the event turned out. It really was a celebration in so many ways, and I think the smiles on everyone's faces said it all. We can't wait to do it again.”
The Health Center is deeply appreciative for all of its sponsors for supporting the Whitaker Wander 5k.
Whole Family Sponsors: Crest Auto World, Leone McDonnell & Roberts PA, NEEBCo, NorDx, Northeast Delta Dental, Settlers Crossing, and Valley Originals.
Whole Person Sponsors: Cheese Louise, Conway Daily Sun, Cooper Cargill Chant PA, Flatbread Company, Southern Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, and Zakon Group.
The Health Center also thanks all of the many volunteers, donors, and participants.
White Mountain Community Health Center is accepting new patients of all ages and genders for primary care, dental care, substance use disorder treatment, behavioral health, and sexual & reproductive health. To learn more, visit whitemountainhealth.org or call (603) 447-8900.