LEWISTON – Nearly 100 runners and walkers gathered on Oct. 16 in front of the Multi-Purpose Center for the New Beginnings second annual 5K Race/Walk. The event started with Casey Little singing the national anthem.

Then 17 minutes and 7 seconds later, Dustin Williamson of Auburn was the first across the finish line. In the woman’s competition, Kelly Brown of Lewiston came in first at 19 minutes, 7 seconds.

The racers and walkers going down the Birch Street hill were cheered on to the finish line, where Don Hebert’s band was keeping the crowd entertained. Hebert also served as master of ceremonies for the awarding of prizes to the winners in eight categories.

Prizes were donated by more than two dozen businesses.

The event was put together by New Beginnings in order to assist its programs for runaway and homeless youth. Board member and race chairwoman Dawne Havener was enthusiastic in her praise of the volunteers and participants who took part in this year’s event. “We had 18 local businesses who sponsored us this year and many others that donated prizes, and just look at this crowd,” she said.

The course, set up and measured by volunteer Scott Brown, made its way through Lewiston’s downtown residential neighborhoods. It was given high marks by the runners. The race was timed by Five K Race Management.

“We couldn’t have done this without all of the volunteers,” said Tina Laplante, New Beginnings board president and volunteer coordinator. “We had a great group of volunteers from the community, as well as board members and our staff. The Multi-Purpose staff was great and we have no doubts about coming back here for our third annual race next year.”