Hundreds Run NK5K

The NK5K hosted another successful year with more than 500 runners.

  More than 500 runners, walkers and even a few canines hit the pavement for this year's NK5K. Though most of the race's participants hailed from North Kingstown, residents of East Greenwich, South Kingstown, Coventry, Portsmouth, Massachusetts and others had a strong showing. (The race even drew a runner from Utah.) Top 5 Finishers 16:11.8 16:16.6 17:43.6 17:45.6 18:15.5 For a complete list of the results from this year's NK5K, click here. Have photos from the NK5K? Add them by clicking the "upload" button above!

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Five Things To Know Today

5 Things: Dahlias, NK5K & Eco-Depot

Five things to know for Sept. 7.

1.  Tomorrow's race day for the NK5K. The annual event returns this year to the high school. Youth races start at 8:30 a.m. while the 5K starts at 10 a.m. For more info and to register, click here. 2.  The Rhode Island Dahlia Society is holding its second show of the year this weekend in North Kingstown. Head over to the Cold Spring Community Center Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. or Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3.  Have some household hazardous waste to get rid of? Dispose of your oil-based paint, fluorescent lights and more at this weekend's Eco-Depot. Runs from 8 a.m. to noon at the public works building on Davisville Road. 4.  Tuesday is election day. Well, the primary elections that is. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. across town…

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Letter: Run NK5K in Memory of Marissa Hayward

The Hayward family is urging others to run in this year's NK5K in memory of their daughter Marissa, who passed away almost two years ago.

The upcoming NK5K is less than 2 weeks away and as a family who has seen the good that comes from this event; we thought this a wonderful opportunity to share our own experience.  Our daughter Marissa, who passed less than two years ago as the result of a car accident, had a scholarship established in her name through the NK5K. Proceeds from this walk/race benefit students in NK schools, supporting activities and providing scholarships to graduating seniors. Last year Marissa’s friends organized a team in her name to participate in the NK5K, to come together in celebration of Marissa’s life as well as give back to this town. Friends and family participated not only in RI but in California, Florida, Wyoming, Hawaii, NY, North Carolina, VT, …

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From The Editor's Desk

Surviving Day One of Running/Real Exercise

Maybe running isn't as miserable as I thought.

I had an epiphany last week. I don't really hate running. In anticipation of my first day of training for the NK5K, I decided to hit the treadmill and see what a 5K (3.1 miles) felt like. It could’ve been that I was just “in the zone” or that the John Williams Pandora station on my phone was picking great songs – you try not to be amped up while listening to the Star Wars theme followed by the Jurassic Park theme – but I ended up doing it in 33 minutes. It may sound like a pathetic attempt at exercise to the more seasoned runners out there, but just remember that I consider shopping to be a cardio activity. Then came Saturday – our first day of training. Mother Nature must have been making up for giving me a rainy day on my day off last …

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From The Editor's Desk

Running the NK5K? Do It With Patch!

I'm running the NK5K this year for the first time ever. Join me for my training with the YMCA and blog about it!

I made two New Year’s resolutions this year. The first was to stop buying Nutella every time it went on sale at Dave’s Marketplace. Since I already broke that resolution, I have to uphold the second – to run the NK5K. And I mean actually run it – not do my goofy hybrid of a skip/jog and hop it on Jitters when I got tired or bored. For the hundreds who run this race every year, it seems like a piece of cake. Not for this editor. I go to the gym regularly, but pretty much exclusively use the arc trainer and bike for my cardio needs. (I have bad knees, so I view the treadmill and all running in general as a demon harbinger of pain.) Aside from the gym, my exercise regimen consists of retail therapy and unloading the dishwasher. When I say I’m…

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Off the Couch & to the NK5K

Afraid to run in your first 5K?

To the couch potatoes of North Kingstown who believe there is no way they could ever muster the stamina, energy and sheer willpower to run in the NK5K: we have a challenge for you. The West Bay Family YMCA is hosting a training program to help runners prepare for this year’s NK5K, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8. Whether you’re a marathon runner or Law & Order marathon watcher, this eight-week program promises to get you tuned up and ready to run in this year’s race. “Couch to NK5K” runs every Saturday morning from 9 to 10 a.m., starting July 21 and culminating on Sept. 8 – race day. The fee is $56 and is open to all (i.e. you don’t have to have a Y membership to sign up). The fee does not include registration for the race. (Check here for…

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Non-Traditional Scholarship Honors ‘Fiery Spirit’ of Deceased NKHS Alum

Honoring the late Marissa Hayward, a new scholarship looks to support students seeking non-traditional learning experiences.

  Typical scholarships offer money toward college tuition for those seeking higher education within the walls or a university or college But, if there was one thing Marissa Hayward believed in, it was that the greatest life lessons were learned outside the classroom. “She loved a great adventure and understood learning was so much more than classrooms and textbooks,” said her mother, Susan Hayward. Known for her fiery spirit and energetic personality, Marissa Hayward’s life was cut short at the age of 21 years old after a car accident in October 2010. Since then, family and friends have worked to keep the 2007 North Kingstown High School alum’s memory and energy alive. The newest incarnation of the effort is a scholarship fund created in …

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NK5K Draws Record Crowd

The 2011 NK5K broke attendance records with 804 runners.

You could not have asked for a better day for a 5K. With sunny skies and a comfortable breeze, 804 runners and walkers took to the streets of North Kingstown for the CVS Caremark NK5K. "This was definitely a record-breaking year," said NK5K committee member Steve Brunero. "Last year was a record year and this year just blew it away." Brunero attributes part of that participation boost to the formation of Team Marissa – a group of family and friends remembering the late Marissa Hayward who died last October in a car accident. Though they are not sure how many people were on Team Marissa, her father Kent Hayward believes it's more than 100. "We had 170 shirts and they're all gone," said Hayward. Team Marissa donned white shirts with a …

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