CAASA's annual run/walk was a huge success

Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Nov. 1 marked CAASA's eighth annual "Step by Step" 5k Fun Run/Walk.

The event is held every November in memory of Michael Blackwell, a jogger who was killed while running on Broomes Island Road.

With the assistance of the Chesapeake Running Club, the event was a huge success with more than 150 people participating.

CAASA's Board of Directors extends its sincere appreciation to the Blackwell family for their continued support and involvement with this event.

Each year Bonnie Blackwell provides welcoming remarks with the support of her daughters.

Their strength is truly remarkable as they work to see that their husband and father is remembered for his caring ways and love of running.

Of course, the race wouldn't be complete without the support and participation of Mike's mother, grandmother and his siblings and their children.

In addition, CAASA would like to thank the sponsors of this year's event: Comcast; Chesapeake Bay Running Club; A.H. Hatcher Inc.; Bayside Chevrolet Buick Toyota; Bob Hall LLC; Constellation Energy; Calvert Commercial Real Estate; Calvert County Family Day Care Association; Century 21 – Comstock Earnest Inc. – Cheryl and Jimmy Bare; Floor Systems Inc.; Michael and Alice Galligan; Holiday Inn Select, Solomons; Lord Calvert Bowl; Maryland Bank and Trust Company; Mogie Spins the Discs; Newman's Janitorial Service; Quality Built Homes Inc.; Rausch Funeral Home; Rymer and Associates P.A.; Showplace Arena; Smith Printing; Sneade's Ace Home Center; Spyro's Bagel and Coffee Shop; The Carol Porto Treatment Center; Thomas L. Hance Inc.; Top Hat Party Rentals; Vera's White Sands Beach Club; Ward Associates; Winegardner Pontiac GMC of Prince Frederick; and World G ym.

Congratulations to all who participated, especially the overall women's runner, Jessica Schwab, with a time of 19:33, and overall men's runner, Alex Gardullo, with a time of 18:08.

CAASA will continue to hold this event as a way to promote a healthy lifestyle free of alcohol and other drug abuse and we hope you will join us.

Candice M. D'Agostino, Prince Frederick

The writer is the coordinator of the Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse's "Step by Step" 5k Fun Run/Walk.