All Ages Turn Out for 29th Annual Sullivan Walk/Race
Huxley Benway, nine months old, competes in diaper dash while sister Ellie looks on with a smile.
Huxley Benway, nine months old, competes in diaper dash while sister Ellie looks on with a smile.
Emily Harris win eight to 10 year old division fun run.
Emily Harris win eight to 10 year old division fun run.
Jason Alton, right, is winner of fun run for five to seven year olds.
Jason Alton, right, is winner of fun run for five to seven year olds.
Dr. Louis Sullivan began the walk/run 29 years ago.
Dr. Louis Sullivan began the walk/run 29 years ago.
Dr. Sullivan addresses the runners.
Dr. Sullivan addresses the runners.
Sam Feldman's bib number is the same as his age — 88.
Sam Feldman's bib number is the same as his age — 88.
Off go the runners.
Off go the runners.
The 29th annual race featured 119 runners and 100 walkers.
The 29th annual race featured 119 runners and 100 walkers.
Walking division is ready to roll.
Walking division is ready to roll.
And they're off.
And they're off.
Walking division participants Louise Clough and Jim Austin.
Walking division participants Louise Clough and Jim Austin.
Toni Leibman walks along East Chop route with a view.
Toni Leibman walks along East Chop route with a view.
First place finisher Lee Greathouse of Edgartown passes East Chop lighthouse.
First place finisher Lee Greathouse of Edgartown passes East Chop lighthouse.
Liam Conley, Brian Donnelly, and Chris Cajolet.
Liam Conley, Brian Donnelly, and Chris Cajolet.
Zach Utz, right, finished 11th in the running division.
Zach Utz, right, finished 11th in the running division.
Race has grown from 57 contestants to a couple hundred walkers and runners.
Race has grown from 57 contestants to a couple hundred walkers and runners.
Dr. Louis Sullivan, former U.S. secretary of health and human services, wore the number one Sunday as he addressed runners and walkers gathered for the annual walk/run for health that he began 29 years ago. Dr. Sullivan and his wife, Ginger, started the annual Oak Bluffs event as a way to share their love of daily walks and commitment to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The race is also a fundraiser for the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
This year Dr. Sullivan's enthusiasm spread to 119 runners and 100 walkers from ages eight to 92 who took off on a five kilometer, 3.1-mile route along East Chop on a sunny summer day. Younger competitors raced in a shorter fun run, while those in the diaper derby crawled across the finish line.
Lee Greathouse, 29, of Edgartown, crossed the finish line first in 17 minutes and three seconds for his second consecutive Sullivan first place finish. Sarah Harris, 42, of Bennington, Vt., was the first woman to cross the finish line with a time of 20:57.
Marston Clough, 74, of Southborough, was the first walker to finish in a time of 34:10, with Rosie Kouri, 60, of Peoria, Ill. finished second in a time of 37:25.