On Saturday, May 9, 64 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 for the second year in a row, finishing the 5k course in 21:45. The other top male runners under 55 were Chad Saunders, 22:42, and Jesse Carlson, 23:28. Gail Gordon was the first female under 55 to cross the finish line in 26:20, followed by Jill Hathaway, 26:36; and Marialaina Lefebvre, 26:47.
In the 55+ category, the top female runners were Gretchen Bradley, 30:52; Margie Riforgiato (a part-time nurse practitioner at the Health Center), 31:47; and Charisse Hirschfeld, 38:30. The top male 55+ runners were Darin Brown, 23:19; James Hurlin, 30:42; and John Macmahon, 32:10.
Eight children completed the 1-mile fun run, and five children under 10 years old completed the 5k, including Harvey Wells, Lyle Wells, Theodore Graciano-Seidel, and Denver Light. Four people completed the 1-mile walk, including the youngest participant, Ollabelle Behr, at 2 years old, along with her mother and grandmother.
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 Health Center fosters community-wide health through quality and compassionate services. These include primary care, pediatric care, dental services, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, reproductive health, dietician services, 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 over $9,000 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, and more patients are losing health insurance and relying on the sliding fee scale.
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. The largest sponsors were NH Ski Map, Chalmers Insurance Group, Crest Auto World, Edward Jones, Leone McDonnell & Roberts PA, Meredith Village Savings Bank, NEEBCo, NorDx, Northeast Delta Dental, Settlers Crossing, and WellSense Health Plan. The Health Center also thanks the many volunteers, donors, and participants.
White Mountain Community Health Center is accepting new patients of all ages and genders for their three primary care providers. Primary care patients can also access in-house dental care, behavioral health treatment, reproductive health, and dietitian services. To learn more, visit whitemountainhealth.org or call (603) 447-8900.