People hit the ground running on July 4th

People from across the state as well as folks from Texas and Georgia decided to put on their running shoes for the Fourth of July to participate in the 27th Firecracker 5K run/walk.

 

The 5K race which has been in memory of Frank D. Vari, City Council President for the past 5 years took runners throughout Rockford Park in Wilmington. Nearly 300 patriotic people participated and were cheered on by 2012 Miss Newark Stephanie Bailey after she performed “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Spectator Frank Vari Jr. was definitely pleased by the race turnout especially since it helps fund scholarships in memory of his father. Scholarships are given to local high school students who must pursue their education at Delaware colleges.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

“The city dedicated this race to honor my dad with some funds that are generated to go to the Frank D. Vari foundation so we can maintain giving out a 2-thousand dollar scholarship,” said Vari Jr.

Meanwhile, 23 year old James Townsend of Middletown was the first person to finish this year’s race. Townsend was able to comple the 5K race in 17 minutes. Lydia Carrick of Greenville, who was the first woman to cross the finish line came in around 19 minutes.

People from across the state as well as folks from Texas and Georgia decided to put on their running shoes on for the Fourth of July to participate in the 27th Firecracker 5K run/walk.

 

The 5K race which has been in memory of Frank D. Vari, City Council President for the past 5 years took runners throughout Rockford Park in Wilmington.  Nearly 300 patriotic people participated who were cheered on by 2012 Miss Newark Stephanie Bailey sang the National Anthem. 

 

One person in particular, Frank Vari Jr. was definitely pleased by the race turnout especially since it helps fund scholarships in memory of his father. The scholarships are given to local high school students who must pursue their education at Delaware colleges.

 

“The city dedicated this race to honor my dad with some funds that are generated to go the Frank D. Vari foundation so we can maintain giving out a 2-thousand dollar scholarship,” said Vari Jr.  

 

Meanwhile, 23 year old James Townsend of Middletown was the first person to finish the race. Townsend finished the 5K race in 17 minutes. Lydia Carrick of Greenville, was the first woman to complete the race which timed at a little over 19 minutes.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal