Another successful run for Seahawks 12k | SLIDESHOW
Published 12:17 pm Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Amid near perfect weather, the 2015 Seahawks 12k at The Landing went off without a hitch Sunday, as 12,000 runners took to Renton’s city streets.
“This is the sixth annual Seahawks 12K Run at The Landing,” said George Searing, operations coordinator for the race. “We feel great as the event has continued to grow and bring large crowds to The Landing as well as the City of Renton in general.”
Thousands of people congregated in the parking lot of The Landing and LA Fitness at the start of the 12k. There were three courses for fans of all ages to participate. Runners, walkers and even pets came decked out in Seahawks’ fan gear, some running in their costumes.
Gerry Ebalaroza Tunnell, of Bothell, participates every year. This year she did the GLOW 5k Run/Walk donning a green hula skirt, Seahawks shirt and hat with fuzzy tassels, while friend Kalani Codenys walked in a blue tutu, added to her Seahawks’ outfit.
“Our family does it,” said Codenys, of Tacoma. “It’s a thing we do for health reasons on top of the fact that we’re huge Seahawks fans.”
Emily Fennell, of Bellevue, and Stephanie Dickman, of Newcastle, are no strangers to races. The two regularly run marathons and half marathons, but call the Seahawks 12k “awesome.”
“We just did the Chicago Marathon in October, but this race is so much more fun just because of all the fans out here,” said Fennell. “All the camaraderie amongst everyone is awesome.”
It was Dickman’s third time doing the race.
“It was awesome, great run,” she said. “(I) did the very first one that they ever had, so it was fun to come back and do it again.”
All of the 12k and 5k participants received medals for their effort. The top three female finishers of the 12k were Janet McDevitt (45:17.6), Lauren Breihof (47:41) and Shelly Hack (50:37.2). The top male finishers of the 12k were Matthew McClement (39:27.7), Erik Barkhaus (39:52.1) and Shaun Frandsen (41:05.8). They all received Seahawks special prizes.
The most cleverly clad participants also received awards, with Maggie Clayton, of Columbia City, Ore., and her dog Winchester, taking home first place. The dog sported a Seahawks jersey, while Clayton wore the same and added a tutu to her outfit. Both ran in the 12k.
Proceeds from the event will go toward the community-wide campaign A Better Seattle, which raises awareness and funds for street outreach workers in Seattle and South King County. It is lead by Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll and the team and is in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Seattle and local municipalities. Monies for the campaign for the event was still being counted as of Tuesday, April 21.
