provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The annual FISH 10K/5K run, held Dec. 2, had a record number of registered runners – 530 – with 90 percent of them coming from throughout Florida to participate. Although, there were runners who traveled from 25 other states and as far away as the United Kingdom and Germany.
Runners took the start line at the Sanibel Community House and followed a marked course back to the Community House. This year was the first in-person race in recent years due to the pandemic and Hurricane Ian. It was also the first year a 5K walk/run was offered, as well as the first “Reindeer Run” event at the Sanibel Recreation Center after the race.
The inaugural Sound + Waves Music Festival followed that evening on the beach at ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa. The concert ended with fireworks for a celebratory conclusion to a day of activities dedicated to the neighbors helping neighbors organization.
The FISH race and festival committee was pleased with the outcome of the day, overall runner participation and sponsor support. “We weren’t quite sure what to expect as many of us are still recovering from Hurricane Ian,” said co-chair Diane Cortese. “The support from island businesses as sponsors was second-to-none, and we are so grateful for everyone’s support.”
The race and festival was supported by a total of 85 local businesses, organizations and individuals; and more than 120 volunteers signed up.
Cortese, a veteran committee member, noted many positive changes for this year’s race, including more sponsor support and activities, made the day a perfect island experience. She was joined as chair by newcomer Leah Winkler.
“Being new to the experience, I was overwhelmed by the generosity of FISH supporters and cooperation of the city, volunteers and community partners,” Winkler said. “It was a great learning experience, and I’m already looking forward to making next year bigger and better.”
F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich the lives of all people in Sanibel and Captiva Islands by neighbors helping neighbors with social services, education and assistance. Since Hurricane Ian, the organization has been offering long-term disaster recovery assistance in addition to programs which represent their four major pillars — – Food, Island Based Education, Social and Senior Services, and Helping Hands.
Money raised during the race and festival helps fund all of their services including disaster recovery, emergency financial assistance, food pantry, children’s backpack food program, senior programs, temporary loan of health equipment and daily hot meals and more.
“We are extremely proud of everyone who has helped us with another successful event. We had a fantastic runner turnout this year and enormous support from sponsors,” said Maria Espinoza, Executive Director. “We would like to thank our committee members and TRC Race Management for their superb technical direction and assistance both before and during the race. Thank you to everyone who helped us raise the funds that will allow us to continue to provide a full range of human services and disaster recovery assistance to our neighbors. We couldn’t ask for better support from the City of Sanibel, police department, service organizations, and our sponsors and, notably, our great staff and volunteers who helped bring all of this together.”
Espinoza made special mention of the amazing finisher medals featuring the Sanibel lighthouse and the handcrafted age group awards that are sure to become collector’s items. Locals Rachel Pierce and Rachel Tritaik designed and assembled the age group awards as a way to honor the community and what the islands stand for. Shells used for these awards were found on Sanibel beaches and donated by the Sanibel Community House.
For more race results, click here. For additional news and photos of the race along with a full list of sponsors, visit the FISH website here or Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
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