This race, which raises money for the Lake Monticello Fire and Rescue squad and the Palmyra Volunteer Fire Company is held in honor of Timo Husted Wright, an outstanding student and runner at Fluvanna High School and at Fork Union Military Academy. Timo tragically died, at age 17, in a single car auto accident on Rt. 53 while driving from home to a part time job. Braughan was Timo’s trumpet teacher. Timo’s mother, Angell Husted is the organizer and prime mover behind this annual event, which is now held on Father’s Day weekend.
This year the first runner across the finish line was Chris Markham, who is an outstanding distance runner for Fluvanna County High School. Markham finished the race with an excellent time of 18:28. Last year Markham finished second. This year he improved his time by 47 seconds. The second runner to cross the finish line was James O’Brien, who finished with a time of 19:01, O’Brien ran in the 25-29 age group.
The 25-29 age group produced the top two women finishers. Joy Barresi was the first women across the finish line with a time of 22:35. The second women to finish was Maggie McClain, who came in at 25:24. McClain was the winner on the women’s side last year. The second place finisher in this age group on the men’s side was Timo’s older brother Matthew Husted Wright, who finished in a time of 22:36. The race this year was run on a slightly modified course, due to construction at the new high school site. Angell Husted noted that this year’s course had a bit more grass and a bit less hard surface. She also noted that in contrast to most 5Ks, this race is run entirely off-road.
The Timo 5K has, over the years, become something of a Fluvanna County tradition, bringing runners and walkers back year after year. For instance, this year, John Mehfoud of Columbia, arose at 5 a.m. at the Greenbrier in West Virginia to be sure he could get to Pleasant Grove in time for the 9 a.m. start. Mefoud finished second in the 65-69 age group for men.
As usual, the race was strongly supported this year, by local businesses and merchants. Papa John’s contributed a $100 gift certificate for the leading team entry, and the Dogwood Restaurant contributed a $100 gift certificate for the leading family competitors. There was also a $50 gift certificate for the first place finishers in the dog on a leash category. This gift certificate was provided by Happy Tails. Raffle tickets were included in the registration packets and prizes included an HD television. The festively balloon decorated starting line was compliments of Fluvanna County’s Balloons for All.
In a new touch this year runners arriving before the race were directed to the sign-in table by Candace Collins, Miss Fluvanna 2012, who will be a senior at Fluvanna County High School in the fall. The race was preceded, as it has been each year, by a “Circle of Love” in which participants and spectators join hands in large circle to remember Timo Husted Wright, and to give thanks for the many blessings of this life.
