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BUSTING BUTTS TO SAVE BREASTS 5K
Local running group shows up in force for breast cancer awareness
The Distance Mamas of Ahwatukee took to the streets of Chandler last Sunday in a run to benefit breast cancer and increase awareness of the impact cancer has on people’s lives. The women’s running group represented Ahwatukee well and showed support for a former member of the group recently diagnosed with the affliction. The Busting Butts to Save Breasts 5k is an annual local event put on by Scott’s Training Systems, originally started after his Scott’s wife was going through the ordeal.
Distance Mamas Coach Flash Santoro (M35) led the charge against breast cancer, breaking the tape and winning outright in 18:08. Training partner and Believe Train Become Coach Susan Loken, recently inducted into Arizona’s Runner’s Hall of Fame, captured the top female spot with 19:24, commanding a battalion of runners from her own group.
Santoro’s 11 year-old daughter Kiara, was seventh out of the 100 females to finish and captured the Female 16 and under category in 24:07. Linda Dynes was 11th woman overall and 3rd in W50-59 with 25:19, another All-American performance on her behalf. In 17th place was Charlotte Kaiden, 3rd in W40-49. Carol Jean Kennedy (43rd), multiple time All-American in the 5k, kept this year’s winning streak alive and was the fastest in the W60+ with 30:26.
Other great local performances from the Distance Mamas included:
- Simone Janssen, 20th, 26:56
- Yvette Hermanski, 28th, 28:03
- Melinda Bleasdale, 35th, 28:46
- Kristi Kobashi, 53rd, 34:00
- Sally Mills, 65th, 35:20