Photo by Margi Sigler -- For The Capital

Some of the 250 runners in Sunday’s Jodi Reitz 5k race in South River Colony take off from the starting line at 9 a.m. The race, held in memory of Jodi Reitz, a resident of the community, raised more than $4,000 for Court Appointed Special Volunteers (CASA).

Around South County

By Margi Sigler of The Capital Newspaper

They were up and at 'em bright and early in South River Colony on Sunday morning. Approximately 250 runners and walkers took part in the 3rd annual Jodi Reitz 5K race to raise $4,000 for CASA (court-appointed special advocates). The members of CASA work in the interest of children who are neglected or abused.

Jodi Reitz was a South River Colony resident until her untimely death from cancer in the fall of 2003. Her friends and neighbors decided to hold an annual run in her memory.

"There was just something so special about her," said Ginny Meerman, one of the organizers for the event. "She'd always help out whenever and wherever she could."

It was pouring rain when the co-chairmen, Ginny, Andrea Blevins, Margaret Constable, Kassie Genovere and Beth Plummer, began setting up for the race. Gradually the skies cleared until there was nothing but blue at the 9 a.m. start. As the entrants lined up at the starting line Kristen Gough and Nicole Platek, both 14, sang the national anthem in clear, soaring soprano voices.

With the sound of the starting horn, everyone took off. Entire families ran together enjoying the crisp fall morning. Kellie Gough, 9, Kristen's sister, ended up in second place in her division.

"I just like running," she said. "I play soccer. ... My sister plays field hockey for South River High School and she has to run 2 miles every day. She lets me run with her."

Big sister Kristen finished first in her division.

In the 10-12 male division there's been some friendly competition going on for all three years of the race. Jake Gavin, Nick Platek, and Will Hirschmann have consistently finished as the top three runners in their division. They can clearly recall who finished first, second and third each year. They sounded like Sports Guys as they rattled off the various statistics for each of the three years.

The top male finisher was Michael Calderone, who happens to be the coach of the Archbishop Spalding girls' cross-country team. Approximately 30 members of the team also participated. The top female winner was Candice Dickson.

Joe Vogel, 14, of South River Colony, won in his division.

"I'm glad to be able to honor Jodi Reitz," he said. "It's nice to get out and meet friends." Then he added with a big smile, "I'm ready for doughnuts!"


Published October 05, 2006, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.