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Adelphi resident Nicole Scott cheered and shouted as her father approached the end of the 5K race during the eighth annual Azalea Classic on Saturday, the sun beaming in his eyes, breathless till he reached the finish line.
Although this was the first time that Peter Scott, 50, of Adelphi ran in the classic, he said he and his daughter are sure to be back next year.
"I think it was great! My first race and I made it through OK. I look forward to next year's race," he said.
More than 500 participants, including 20-plus National Honor Society volunteers from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, turned up at the classic, a fundraising event for the University Park Elementary School PTA that promotes physical fitness.
"It's a really important event for [the] PTA and the school because it is one of our major fundraisers for the year," said PTA board member Becky McDermott, 39, of University Park. "It's also a really important community event."
The classic kicked off with a non-competitive dog walk that occurred Friday before Saturday's main activities: a one-mile challenge run for children, 1K Val Creighton Memorial Family Fun Run, 5K Run and a post-race party with music, food and games. This year's event reached its $15,000 goal, which goes into the general UPES PTA fund. The fund helps create more student assemblies, offset field trip costs and aid in cultural development.
"You don't see your neighbors until they come out for the Azalea race. It's one of the things that kind of bring the neighborhood together," said event volunteer Kimberly Fisher, 50, of University Park.
An awards ceremony for three best times among men, women and each age group was held after the race and recipients received prizes ranging from an acoustic guitar to a $100 savings bond.
Every year, Chloe Widman, 6, of University Park said she comes back looking forward to the new friendships and smiling faces that the Azalea Classic brings.
"I like meeting new friends. There is always a new family joining into the Azalea Classic and someone for me to play with the next year," Chloe said.
While sitting down on the slide, admiring the beautiful weather and in conversation with other volunteers, Godoly Jack, 18, of Bowie couldn't get enough of the scenery.
"I should have left two hours ago when I completed my volunteer hours but I'm still here," said Jack, an honor society volunteer from Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
Sarah Elder, event coordinator said the classic grows every year and the Azalea Classic T-shirt is a sign of the event's increasing popularity.
"I really love it when I'm around College Park or anywhere and I see the Azalea Classic T-shirt from a past year," she said. "I think, yes! I remember that shirt, I remember that year and that's what's really fun, seeing people out and wearing their shirts, especially people I don't know."
