It Was The Real Deal

On Saturday, May 16, more than 200 people showed up to the Standish Municipal Complex to run, walk or watch the Second Annual Real Deal 5K.

“It is always wonderful to see months of planning come together,” said race co-director Angela Kelly. “After a slow start to registrations this year, the turnout was even better than we had hoped for.”

The Real Deal 5K is a memorial run/walk honoring 1992 Bonny Eagle graduate Kenneth “Kenny” Coughlin, who passed away in April 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. A part of the proceeds from the race will go to the Center for Grieving Children in Portland while the remaining proceeds will go to build a college fund for his children, Jacob and Casey. Last year the event raised close to $5,000.

“My daughter and I started running 5K’s together in the spring of 2013, this year we chose to run in the Real Deal 5K and we had a fantastic time,” said Raymond resident Kristy Applebee who came in first place in her age division. “This race supports something close to my heart, as I lost my father to cancer when I was 11. To know this race supports Kenny’s wife and two young boys makes me happy to support it!”

Applebee’s daughter Hailey Applebee, 13, was awarded overall top female with a time of 22:59.

“The course was quiet and especially fun since you meet the front runners on the course as the course repeats itself. That allowed me to cheer on my daughter, Hailey, who was with the lead pack. It was great to hear that at 13, she was the first female finisher and finished fifth overall. It was a great time!”

The winner of The Real Deal, with a time of 18:29, a new course record, was Stephen Judice, 44, of Dayton. Judice and his daughter Maya, 10, also won Best Dressed for their nod to the 1980s-themed race.

“We cannot thank our sponsors, volunteers and participants enough for making this such a success,” said Kelly. “I think Kenny would have loved this event. He was definitely not a runner but he would have loved the gathering of all of his family and friends.”

Standish Spectacular Theme Announced

Plans for the annual Standish Summer Spectacular in June are now under way. This year’s theme is, “It Takes a Village,” and will be spotlighting both the Standish and Steep Falls PTO, as committee members believe these two organizations help illustrate the notion that “it takes a village.”

The event committee is hoping Standish residents will embrace the theme and help promote it. For more information on how to be part of the 2015 Standish Summer Spectacular, visit the Standish Recreation webpage at https://www.standishrec.com.

Mark Your Calendars

• The regular meeting of the Standish Town Council has been changed from Tuesday, June 9, to Tuesday, June 2, due to Election Day on June 9.

• The 1990s alternative rock band 13 Black will be playing Friday, May 22, at Riff’s Cafe? on Blake Road in Standish.

Hailey Applebee, left, and Kristy Applebee, both of Raymond, pose before the Second Annual Real Deal 5K. Hailey Applebee, 13, was the first female runner to cross the line with a time of 22:59. Her mom, Kristy Applebee, finished first in her age division.Runners take off at the start of the Second Annual Real Deal 5K, held at Standish Municipal Complex on Saturday. The event is in memory of 1992 Bonny Eagle High School graduate Kenny Coughlin.Courtesy photos by Allyn Genest