- December 11, 2024
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Aglow and ready to go, a record 153 runners and walkers gathered for the fifth annual Rotary Glow 5K on Saturday, March 16.
Participants checked in at the Cardinal Drive beach approach in Ormond Beach for the event.
As athletes stretched or took selfies before the start, others wore shirts that dared fellow participants to “Glow Hard or Glow Home.” The majority of runners and walkers sported florescent garb and glow-in-the-dark accessories.
Alex Schumann, president of the Rotary Club of Downtown Ormond Beach, said he believes this year’s race had the most entrants since the event’s inception. This year, they shared event information with local groups and athletic directors of local schools. Money raised by the 5K will help fund the club’s ongoing community projects.
“We are trying to be very active (in the community),” Schumann said. “This glow run is raising money for all of our projects. We have a fit loop around the Granada Bridge. We also have a grant this year called Dance for Wellness with Hope Place.”
The Rotary Club partnered with AdventHealth and the city of Ormond Beach to develop the Downtown Fit Loop, a fitness circuit installed at the four corners of Granada Bridge. It was divided into four phases with Fortunato Park being the first phase which has been completed. Currently, Rotary Club members have assembled the workout equipment for the Rockefeller and Bailey Riverbridge Gardens. They are coordinating with the city of Ormond Beach to schedule the equipment installation. The Glow 5K funds will be used to raise money for the final phase — Cassen Park.
If you love something, you should be involved in it. I was in the military and I feel like we love our country—we love our city—let’s be involved in it. You have to serve, right. It is important. - Jeff Steinberg, Rotary Club volunteer
This is the second year that South Daytona Beach resident Liz McCall has run in the Glow 5K and the first year for her friend, Ormond-by-the-Sea resident, Tammy Brown. McCall said she participates for fun and to “add a little extra exercise.”
“Why not (participate),” McCall said. “Rotary is a phenomenal organization, so being able to help support them, who support other organizations that maybe don’t have the funds, is phenomenal. You have to give back to your community.”
This year, the Rotary Club is using a Dance for Wellness grant with Hope Place to teach kids ballet as a tool to increase self esteem and self image. Randolyn O’Malia, lead public health learning strategist at Emory University, is running the program. They will be having a recital on Friday, March 22, in the Hope Place cafeteria.
“It’s a great program,” she said. “They’ve transformed that space (cafeteria) to do the dancing. They’ve added in some more arts and crafts and a lot of opportunities for the kids there to be able to expand their interests and learn a little bit more about the arts—really helping them grow.”
The Rotary Club’s next big fundraiser is The Long Table to be held Thursday, May 2, at Elaine and Dr. Ken Hawthorne’s house on the Halifax River in Ormond Beach. Local restaurants will provide a five-course dinner with wine pairings. According to a Rotary Club flyer, it is being touted as a luxurious dining event under the stars.
Jeff Steinberg volunteered to help at the Glow 5K and is currently on the Long Table committee. Fourteen years ago, he separated from the military and moved to Ormond Beach. He said he has been a Rotary Club volunteer for less than a year and does whatever they ask of him.
“If you love something, you should be involved in it,” he said. “I was in the military and I feel like we love our country — we love our city — let’s be involved in it. You have to serve, right. It is important.”