Mardi Gras run raises funds for nonprofits in Lakewood Ranch

The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund event attracted almost 300 participants for its inaugural Run for the Beads.

By Jay Heater
| 11:30 a.m. February 18, 2023

East County
Neighbors

Lakewood Ranch's David Proudfoot ran away from just under 300 participants to win the first Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place on Feb. 18.

His margin of victory was so large he had plenty of time to look around.

That was enjoyable because the course took Proudfoot, and the rest of the runners, through some Waterside neighborhoods.

"These are some very nice neighborhoods," Proudfoot said. "It was a good representation of Lakewood Ranch."

The Mardi Gras-themed race was presented by the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund to raise money for area nonprofits. Initial estimates were that the race raised more than $10,000.

Many of the participants talked about the fun theme and how they hoped the race would become an annual event.

A long line formed in front of the beer and champagne station after the race, beginning about 9:30 a.m.

Lakewood Ranch's Steve Saladino was asked if he wanted to have a beer so early.

"Heck yeah!" he said. "On Saturday and Sunday, there is no non rule."

DJ Jose Ramirez, Chuck Sidlow and Event Chair Annemarie Neubecker entertain the crowd during the after-party.

Clown Chuck Sidlow leads the Run for the Beads parade during the after-party at Waterside Place.

Daniela Soto, 8, of Bradenton and Kayleigh Rhine, 8, of Lakewood Ranch pop as many bubbles as they can during the after-party.

Annemarie Neubecker presents the championship medal to Lakewood Ranch's David Proudfoot.

Lakewood Ranch's Rosemary Selke gets the overall girls medal from event chair Annemarie Neubecker.

Lakewood Ranch's Barb Eimers and Sue Brownell say they love both participating in a motivating 5K run, but also supporting the community at the same time.

Sophie Lowrance, Jason Miller, Amy Lowrance and Jack Lowrance show off their beads.

Lori Stabinski of Ellenton says participating in the Run for the Beads was a great way to see the new community of Waterside Place.

Marian Trumpler and her daughter, Jenna Trumpler, sported the appropriate colors for the race. Jenna is a personal trainer at the Lakewood Ranch YMCA.

Run for the Beads Chair Annemarie Neubecker signs up Lakewood Ranch's Tommy Hargrove before the event. Hargrove says he loves to participate in 5Ks because it is a "healthy habit."

Some were blown away by the success of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund's Run for the Beads at Waterside Place.

Runners enjoyed some Mardi Gras specialties after the race.

Chuck Sidlow knows how to frame an occasion as he entertains Sarasota's Sandra Albrecht and Jennifer Loose, both of RoseBay Realty.

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Executive Director Adrienne Bookhamer and Board Chair Nicole Ryskamp set up for the Run for the Beads at 7 a.m. on a chilly Saturday morning.

Monika Oberer enjoys a well-deserved adult beverage during the Run for the Beads after-party.

Waterlefe's Joseph Calinski brought Selone, an Italian mastiff along for the 5K run.

Mike Schenk of Pineapple Kitchen of Bradenton expects a big day at the Run for the Beads. He was selling the signature pretzels. "And we are near the beer," he said.

Celebrating meant water for Wynta Loughrey and a glass of champagne for Laura Loughrey after they finished the Run for the Beads.

J.P Theron and Chuck Sidlow of the World of Chucko bring a smile to the face of Brookelyn Albee of Lakewood Ranch after the Run for the Beads.

Sarasota's Anna DeFerrari celebrates at the finish line of the Run for the Beads.

Run for the Beads Event Chair Annemarie Neubecker is all smiles as she arrives with props for the Run for the Beads.

Lakewood Ranch's Mason Brondyke, 11, obviously likes the medal he was handed after finishing the race.

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Board Member David Fink showed he not only can help organize a race, he can run it, too.

The Lake Club's David Ahrens earned his beads by finishing first in the 40-and-over men's division. Ahrens is 52.

Lakewood Ranch's Laura and Steve Saladino triumphed together as they finish the Run for the Beads.

Sarasota's Piper Gruters, 9, finishes strong in the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund's Run for the Beads at Waterside Place.

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Board Members Nancy Sykes, Nicole Ryskamp, Morgan Bentley and Christa Folkers met the runners at the finish line with beads.

Lakewood Ranch's Candice Rhine won the women's division of the Run for the Beads.

Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Chair Nicole Ryskamp gets ready to hand out beads at the finish line of the Run for the Beads.

Sofia and Andrea Jackson of Sarasota are all smiles before the Run for the Beads at Waterside Place.

David Proudfoot won the first Run for the Beads 5K on Feb. 18, 2023.

Sue Brady of River Strand, Bibiana Cloonan of Indigo, and Alice Baumann of Harmony of the Aloha Ukulele Club entertain runners at the start of the Run for the Beads at Waterside Place.

Sarasota's Anna DeFerrari is looking festive before the Run for the Beads.

The runners sprint away at the start of the Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place. Funds for the race support area nonprofits through the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund.

Tracy and Hayley Belote of Lakewood Ranch get ready to line up for the Run for the Beads. Almost 300 runners participated.

Leigh and Patrick Spencer of the Shiny Gumbo restaurant in Sarasota provide several New Orleans food favorites with their food truck at the Run for the Beads 5K at Waterside Place.

author

Jay Heater

Jay Heater is the managing editor of the East County Observer. Overall, he has been in the business more than 41 years, 26 spent at the Contra Costa Times in the San Francisco Bay area as a sportswriter covering college football and basketball, boxing and horse racing.