A total of 375 people took part in the ninth annual Run From The Rays event at the Spanish River Athletic Complex in Boca Raton and it didn’t affect the money raised for several charitable groups.
The SafeSun Foundation raised $52,500 for its beneficiaries this year — the largest amount ever donated from this event. Organizers had to cap registration to comply with the COVID-19 safety protocol for the city of Boca Raton.
“It was a gorgeous day with blue skies,” SafeSun Foundation founder and race director Fran Nachlas said. “We were able to have our Athlete’s Village with our sponsors in attendance.
“Everyone was absolutely ready to have an in-person running event return to Boca Raton, and we were grateful to the city for allowing Run From The Rays to be the first one,” she said. “Everyone felt safe, had a great time, and their support helped.”
The overall men’s winner was Chris Miller with 16.11, and the women’s winner was Sonja Uhl with 18.15.
They also put markers on the ground in the starting area, spacing all of the runners 6 feet apart, and then started runners in waves of 10 every 30 seconds. The runners received their race medals during packet pickup.
This year’s beneficiaries were the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation, the League of Ribbons at Lynn Cancer Institute, SOS Children’s Village-Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center and The Caridad Clinic.
Boca Raton City Councilman Andy Thompson and Rabbi Dan Levin had inspiring messages to all the runners at the start line, while Oshay Nelson sang the National Anthem.
