Don’t miss the Kelly J. Fritchman Memorial 5K
For the past six years, friends, family and fitness buffs have gathered at Irish Eyes in Lewes to participate in a 5K to honor a woman who used athletics to fend off a disease called cystic fibrosis. Kelly J. Fritchman was born with CF; a genetic disease that attacks the lungs and digestive system and carries a life expectancy of 30 years or less. But she refused to let it stop her from living life on her terms.
Kelly was a Division I swimmer; a lifeguard and a fitness enthusiast who ran, swam, biked and lifted weights to stay healthy and extend her life. She was mother to two children, and a true inspiration to those of us who knew her. Unfortunately, Kelly succumbed to complications from CF in 2009. But she lives on through the annual 5K and swim scholarship awarded to a University of Delaware swim team member who demonstrates exemplary character. To date, the scholarship fund has raised more than $80,000. This year’s 5K will be held this Saturday, July 11 at 8 a.m. at Irish Eyes pub and restaurant at 213 Anglers Road in Lewes.
The race will feature awards for overall male and female winners plus the top 3 in 10-year age groups from 9 under through 70 plus. There will also be awards for top 3 male and female walkers, so if you’re not ready for a 5K you can still participate and show your support for a great cause.
Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the race begins promptly at 8 a.m., so get there early if you have not already preregistered. This year there will be no parking permitted on Savannah or Anglers roads so the local fishermen can access their boats at the marina. Instead, participants will be encouraged to park at the Beach One lot behind Dairy Queen and walk to the event location at the Irish Eyes parking lot. After the race, Irish Eyes will host a post-race party featuring beer, refreshments and a bloody mary bar that is always a lot of fun for those who attend.
The cost of the race is $30. If you can’t make it or want to make an additional donation, go to www.udaf.udel.edu, and click on “make a gift now.” After entering your information, scroll down to gift information and specify that you are making a gift in the memory of Kelly J. Fritchman.
The race is a fitting way to celebrate the life of a woman who used physical fitness to overcome a disease and gain a better quality of life. More importantly, it will help another young person fulfill his or her dreams by funding a University of Delaware swim team scholarship.
For more information about the race, go to races2run.com or contact Barb@races2run.com. We hope to see you there!
Chris Antonio is a personal trainer and former world-class weightlifter. He has been lifting for more than 20 years and has trained a wide variety of clients ranging from All-American athletes to the average person trying to get into shape. To send a question to the Ask the Trainer column, email Chris at Askthetrainer@antoniostraining.com or check out AntoniosTraining.com for training tips, news and inspirational stories.
