Racers come out ‘for a good cause’

An annual run put on by the LeeShore Center made its return Saturday through blustering winds. The 34th Annual Kenai Peninsula Violence Free Community Run, formerly the Kenai Run for Women, drew 59 participants Saturday morning for either a 5-kilometer or 10-kilometer run to benefit the mission of the center — combating domestic violence in the local community.

The LeeShore Center provides services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. It has operated on the central Kenai Peninsula since 1985.

The first to finish was Shari BeDunnah, who completed the 5K at 25 minutes and 27 seconds.

“It was great,” she said after the race. “I had headwind at the beginning and tailwind at the end, which is the way I prefer it.”

BeDunnah said she hadn’t participated in the run since a second-place finish in 2017.

Only six seconds behind BeDunnah was Susan Craig at 25:33 for a second-place finish. The top three were rounded out three minutes later by Dannette Petersen at 28:32.

Historically, the race was open to women of all ages and boys under 18. With the change in name came the opening of the race to men. Only three men participated in the 5K, Kevin Babitt, who cleared the finish chute at 28:48, Alan Thye at 31:15, and Eric Parsons at 38:15.

The longer 10K race saw its first place women’s finisher at 56:27, regular participant Viorica Thompson. Second to finish was Denise Lutton at 1:03:07, followed by Tamara Hibberd at 1:07:37.

For the men’s 10K, Mark Barbee posted the fastest time, at 47:02. He was followed by Nathan Hibberd at 50:00 and Jim White at 51:33.

While strong winds kept up throughout the race, the rain held off until the final participants entered the chute. BeDunnah said it was worth braving the elements to support the mission of the race.

“I came out for a good cause and in fellowship with our community,” BeDunnah said.

For more information about The LeeShore Center, visit facebook.com/TheLeeShoreCenter or leeshoreak.org.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

34th Annual Kenai Peninsula Violence Free Community Run

Women’s 5K

1. Shari BeDunnah, 25 minutes and 27 seconds; 2. Susan Craig, 25:33; 3. Dannette Petersen, 28:32; 4. Rachel Boehmler, 28:59; 5. Stephanie Macias, 29:13; 6. Mollie Messick, 29:18; 7. Renee Helie, 30:17; 8. Miranda Rich, 32:01; 9. Meghan Thibodeau, 32:21; 10. Didi Peters, 32:22; 11. Erica Nichols, 32:29; 12. Allison Tiefenthaler, 33:23; 13. Cecilia Borries-Strigle, 33:39; 14. Amanda Ritchie, 34:04; 15. Sarah Pribbenow, 35:41; 16. Mary Chapman, 36:44; 17. Terri Cowart, 36:55; 18. Kaci Tauriainen, 37:07; 19. Margaret Gilman, 37:09; 20. Laurie Booth, 37:31; 21. Amy Antommaria, 38:16; 22. Amanda Mayner, 40:51; 23. Vanessa Perry, 43:30; 24. Patricia Montgomery, 46:00; 25. Kerri Leavitt, 46:59; 26. Addison Rose, 47:46; 27. Chantelle Carter, 47:46; 28. Peggy Leonard, 48:15; 29. Yvonne Oren, 49:01; 30. Yvette Tappana, 51:28; 31. Alyssa Wood, 52:58; 32. Therese Frothingham, 53:00; 33. Barbara Allen, 53:03; 34. Nancy Hukka, 53:07; 35. Jennifer Tollackson, 55:05; 36. Glenna Strongheart, 55:34; 37. Cecelia Strongheart, 55:59; 38. Susan Smalley, 58:21; 39. Michele Vasquez, 58:22; 40. Jane Marshall, 58:23; 41. Paula Standefer, 58:23; 42. Mary Cates, 59:58; 43. Mary Starrs Armstrong, one hour and 0 minutes; 44. Patricia Reilly, 1:04:58; 45. Ann Strongheart, 1:05:08; 46. Savanna Strongheart, 1:05:09; 47. Kelly Reilly, 1:06:01; 48. Kathy Bush, 1:06:02; 49. Cindy Todd, 1:21:43

Men’s 5K

1. Kevin Babitt, 28:48; 2. Alan Thye, 31:15; 3. Eric Parsons, 38:15

Women’s 10K

1. Viorica Thompson, 56:27; 2. Denise Lutton, 1:03:07; 3. Tamara Hibberd, 1:07:37; 4. Morgan Goss, 1:20:30

Men’s 10K

1. Mark Barbee, 47:03; 2. Nathan Hibberd, 50:00; 3. Jim White, 51:33