Some 1,200 people — 900 in the run and 300 in the walk — participated Sunday, Oct. 29, in the 13th annual Goblin Gallop 5K Race and 1K Fun Run at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center. And the event raised $32,000 for the John Quadrino Foundation to Benefit Children with Cancer.
"I'm very pleased with everything," said event organizer George Quadrino whose son John died of cancer in 1985 at age 7. "The race went smoothly and the Peterson Cos. [which developed Fairfax Corner] was wonderful to us."
Coming in first in the 5K in 15:30 — and wearing a Spider-Man costume — was Ryan Deak, 21, of Glen Allen, near Richmond. A professional runner, he logs 120 miles/week. "I run three times a day; I love it," he said. "I go to bed thinking about waking up and running." The 5-foot-4-inch Deak has run since age 9.
First-place female was Elvira Kolpakova of Russia. A professional marathon runner, she runs 130 miles a week. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11th) also ran in the 5K and, prior to the start, he told the crowd, "It's a great day for a race, and I thank everyone for turning out for such a worthy cause."