As commander of the Le Roy Botts-Fiorito American Legion Post, grandpa to two grandchildren, an avid golfer, and Kiwanis Club president and race chairman, Dave Rumsey’s retirement hasn’t exactly been idle.

Once he was in as president of Batavia Kiwanis Club, serving as the 5K race director last year wasn’t that much of a stretch, he said. “It’s a two-fer.” Now he looks forward to increasing participation for this year's event on July 4.

Thursday was the day — more than two months after the Kiwanis annual Independence Day 5K — when officials drew the winning ticket for a special prize.

Co-chairman Dave Chua selected Number seven out of the 119 race participants, and challenged them to remember their bib numbers. Not to worry, Chua had the registration list, and the winner was John Schrenker. He will receive a free pair of Saucony running shoes from The Batavia Bootery on Main Street.

The drawing was Thursday afternoon at the Bootery, which donated the pair of sneakers. Bootery manager Kevin Stone, and staff member Autumn Rogers, Co-chairman Dave Ramsey and Chua were present.

The annual event helps to support local nonprofit organizations, and this year’s proceeds went to the Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park, Batavia City School Foundation for the Community Schools Program, and the Kiwanis activity fund. Kiwanis also hosts other events that benefit the community, including an Easter Egg Hunt, Thanksgiving Morning Skate and other activities.

Photo: Kiwanis Independence Day 5K Co-Chairman Dave Rumsey, Autumn Rogers and Kevin Stone of The Batavia Bootery, and Co-Chairman David Chua announce the winning race bib number for a free pair of running shoes Thursday at the Bootery on Main Street, Batavia. Photo by Joanne Beck.

Kiwanis Club of Batavia will be hosting its annual Independence Day 5K on Monday, July 4 at 9 AM at Centennial Park. The club is so excited to bring this event back in person after hosting a virtual event last year.

You can register here

Proceeds from the race will be distributed to the Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park, Batavia City School Foundation for the Community Schools Program, and lastly the Kiwanis activity fund which supports community events such as our Easter Egg Hunt, Thanksgiving Morning Skate and others.

We can’t wait to see you there!

More than 200 participants walked or ran in the Batavia Kiwanis Club's annual 5K race on Independence Day, a 10-percent increase over last year, said race director David Chua.

It started at the top of Centennial Park on Richmond Avenue and went north by Dwyer Stadium to East Avenue. The runners end just off Washington Avenue at the bottom of the park on Ellicott Avenue. 

Chua said this year’s proceeds were broken into thirds: the organization for autism research; Batavia City Schools District Foundation; and the last third is distributed by the Kiwanis Club to local children’s organizations.

First Place and top male finisher was William Buckenmeyer from Batavia, time 18:25. Top female finisher was Kimberly Mills from Oakfield time 20:50; she finished 11^th overall.

This morning the Batavia Kiwanis Club hosted its annual 5K race at Centennial Park in Batavia. More than 150 people participated. More than 30 sponsors locally contributed to the event with signs, food, drinks, T-shirts and prizes for top two finishers in each age group.

Pictured below is Nick Guarino who won the overall race with a time of 16:39 and his sister, Kristen Guarino, who was the first woman to win with a time of 20:26.

Top two finishers in each age group:

Male:

19 and under – Zak Jantzi 18:08, John Bruggman 19:43

20-29 – Nick Guarino 16:39, Collin Mulcahy 16:46

30-39 – EJ Boyce 16:54, Dave Bateman 19:43

40-49 – John Kirkwood 19:46, Joseph Ciecierega 20:55

50-59 – Kevin Sheenan 16:02, James Lane 18:29

60-69 – Frank Gioia 17:35, Rich Kutter 19:16

Female:

19 and under- Maggie Anderson 24:03, Emily Caccamise 26:40

20-29 – Kristen Guarino 20:26, Amanda James 24:03

30-39 – Ann Ball 21:02, Kristen Smith 23:49

40-49 – Heather Brondolillo 23:59, Nikki  Mikos 26:15

50-59 –Mary Scoins 26:20, Mary Nanni 26:28

60-69 – Janice Spiotta 20:39, Rosemary Cowan 24:04

This is the third 5K as part of the Genesee County Race Series sponsored by the United Way.

The next race is The Oatka on July 15^th and remaining races are:

Don Carroll Aug.19^th, Jaycees Labor Day Sept 4^th, Friends and Family Sept. 16^th, Run for the ACORNS on Oct. 1^st and YWCA Stiletto and Sneaker on Oct. 5^th.

For more photos click here: http://steveognibenephotography.zenfolio.com/p508367717

Join us at Centennial Park at 9 a.m. this Monday, July 4, for the Kiwanis Independence Day 5K. To register, click here.

Join us at Centennial Park this July 4 at 9:00am for the Independence Day 5K at 9:00am. To register, click here