Annual race re-starts in Shelburne

Sherry Fischer, a first-timer to the Cupid 5k, plans to run 5ks till she reaches 50 kilometers, marking her 50th birthday next January. So far, she’s run two 5ks!

A couple poses by the finish line after the race. 

First-place finisher Tim Richmond lays down for a breath after sprinting to the end. “This is what I get for racing with the young guys!” he said.

A family proudly poses for a photo after the race.

A racer runs through the finish gate. He was relieved it was over, he said. 

2nd-place runner, Steve Gendron, races across the finish line just seconds behind the winner, Tim Richmond.

Tim Richmond sprints through the finish gate ahead of Steve Gendron to win the race.

A group of runners laughs together as they prepare for takeoff at the starting line.

Chris Davis of Charlotte (left) and Dave Micklas of Shelburne (right) guided the racers through one of the final turns. They are both part of the rotary club, which raises about $20-25,000 each year. “Being in the rotary club is all about helping the communities and doing whatever they want—whatever they need. It’s really a great organization,” Chris said.

A runner in costume rounds the final corner.

Runners take off from the starting line. 

Willow, a five-month-old Terrier-Chihuahua mix, is held by her owner as they cheer on his wife, who was racing.

First and second place winners, Tim Richmond (right) and Steve Gendron (left) pose after the race. The pair were neck and neck the whole time, with both finishing under 19 minutes.

Runners young and old turned out for the annual Cupid 5K race in Shelburne, an event that like many has been altered in recent years due to the pandemic. 

This race was in memory of Karen Newman, an athlete and author who regularly attended the Cupid 5k and who died of cancer in 2019. 

“She was the most uplifting person,” said Ute Talley, who organizes this and many other RaceVermont races along with Rayne Herzog. “She was the one who had the biggest smile on her face. This one was her favorite race, and she came dressed to the nines with stripey socks and fluffy antennas. It was just amazing.” 

Newman won a silver medal for the Masters Age Group at 2012's Triathlon World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, in addition to many other awards, according to the race description. 

Newman was known to “dress to the nines” at the races, according to the description. 

Talley said they have managed to bring a community together despite the pandemic. 73 runners, ranging in age from 6 to 78, turned out for the race. 

“It’s been a while,” Talley said. “We were not able to do it last year because of COVID. The state shut recreation down at that point, and I believe the year before that we actually did it virtually. But other than that we’ve had it every year.” 

Proceeds from the race were donated to the Cancer Patient Support Foundation. 

Tim Richmond of Williston, Vermont won the race overall with a time of 18 minutes and 53 seconds.

“That was a tough one,” Richmond said of the race. “You never know who you’re going to get out there. I had a guy who was perfectly matched with me. We were side by side through three miles, and at the end we split up just a little bit, but he was right on it.”

“You can see some folks you haven’t seen in a long time, run with some people who match your ability, and it’s kind of a spiritual boost,” he said. 

The next race hosted by RaceVermont is the Sugarhouse Snowshoe 5K/10K, which will be held on Feb. 26 at the Shelburne Sugarhouse.

All photos by Madeline Waterman.