Stop, Drop and Run 5K sees increased turnout for 2nd annual event

July 7, 2019 | 3:16 am

Updated July 6, 2019 | 11:36 pm

Captain Richard Peach, the only firefighter to make the choice to run in his gear, crossed the finish line in a small red wagon pulled by his two oldest sons. | Photo by Melody Wallace

The Stop, Drop and Run 5K presented by Owensboro Professional Firefighters Local 870 is one of three fundraisers held each year to raise money for the firefighters’ union. In 2018, the event’s inaugural year, the race had 103 participants register to walk or run the 5K.

Now in its second year, race registration totaled 148 on Saturday morning, July 6.

With the clouds providing just enough cover to keep the weather cool and the rain at bay, participants as young as seven and as old as 78 ran to raise funds for firefighters that might be in need.

“The funds from today go right back into the community and provide scholarships,” said Station 2 firefighter and race coordinator Shannon Janosa. “Any time there is a fire or any firefighter has a major disaster, all of those funds help in those situations. It couldn’t happen any other way.”

Several participants made the race a family affair by running alongside their children and even incorporating the family dog.

Photo by Melody Wallace

Owensboro Fire Department’s 2018 Fire Officer of the Year Lieutenant Eric Cart crossed the finish line alongside 11-year-old daughter Tatum, who took first place in her age group as her dad looked on proudly.

Captain Richard Peach and his family also crossed the finish line together to end the race. Peach, the only firefighter to make the choice to run in his gear, crossed the finish line in a small red wagon pulled by his two oldest sons.

“It was a kind of last minute,” Peach said. “I thought, ‘I’m going to get my gear.’ And, of course, I had my gear, so he had to have his.”

Peach smiled looking at his 5-year-old son Preston who was dressed in his own miniature version of firefighter gear.

Since Peach was the one firefighter to meet the challenge of crossing the finish line wearing his gear he was awarded $100 at the end of the race after all medals were awarded. Peach graciously donated his winnings back into the pot for the firefighter fund, as did $50 winner Matt Sissel.

July 7, 2019 | 3:16 am

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