NEW HAMPSHIRE’S FASTEST GROWING ONLINE NEWSPAPER

Foley's memory ran strong during Saturday's 5K Freedom Run

Comment Print
Related Articles
Cameron Cook seen running all alone in front of the pack during Saturday's James W. Foley Freedom Run. Cook went on to win the race handily. (Rochester Voice photos)

ROCHESTER - The James W. Foley Freedom Run began a new chapter on Saturday, beginning and ending at the Rochester Community Center with a course that featured portions of the downtown, the footbridge over the Cocheco River and Hanson Pines.

And the first winner of the event at its new venue was a Dover man who is using his running prowess to raise money for those impacted by Hurricane Michael which slammed into the Florida panhandle earlier this month.

A woman racer pushes a baby stroller as she rounds Union Street onto North Main on Saturday during the James W. Foley Freedom Run in Rochester.

Cameron Cook, who moved out to an early lead he never relinquished, finished the 5K in just 16:35. By the time Cook had reached the North Main Street Bridge in the downtown he was at least 30 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

On his Facebook page soon after the race finished he recalled the reactions of his UNH colleagues upon hearing the news of Foley's brutal slaying in August 2014.

"Another win for a very worthwhile cause at the James Foley Freedom 5k. I still remember where I was when I saw the news alert about the tragedy," the post reads. "I was in shock and the people I knew at UNH who were locals were in such disbelief. For many, including me, this was more than a race. I am very proud to have won a race that carries such meaning."

Sister Mary Fatima, a novitiate at St. Paul's, said she was running the race to honor the memory of James Foley, and Foley's mom, Diane, who lives in Rochester.

Cook also used his running prowess as a platform to raise money for those impacted by Hurricane Michael. A link to donate can be found on his Facebook page.

The James W. Foley Freedom Run is an annual fund-raiser for the late war correspondent's foundation, which advocates for journalists' safety all over the world.

Those dangers resurfaced recently when Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a veteran journalist often critical of Saudi Arabia, was killed in Turkey after walking into the Saudi consulate there to complete a divorce proceeding.

Leonard Vandebussche of Dover waits with his dog, Maggie, who is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Vanderbussche's wife, Sherri, who always runs with her dog. The plan was to hand off Maggie to run the rest of the 5K.

Investigations into the slaying are currently under way.

Some 1,000 runners laced up to run or walk the 3.1 mile race on Saturday. Some, like Cook, were running full bore, while others strolled or walked or ran with their dogs or pushing baby strollers.

Runners finishing back at the community center were greeted by several timers clicking in finish times and a race announcer who called out their names and hometowns as they crossed the finish line.

Marty Koolen of Rochester, who runs with the 603 Runners, a state-based running group, said this year's course was laid out nicely and that going over the footbridge was one of the highlights.

"It's pretty cool," Koolen said shortly after crossing the finish line in front of the Community Center.

Sister Mary Fatima, a novitiate at St. Charles, who ran in a full habit, said Foley's mom, Dianne, is a parishioner at their church and that when he came home after being detained in Libya, she talked to them about how important it was to cover conflicts around the world to tell their story. Sister Mary said she'd run the 5K to honor Jim's memory.

Read more from:
Top Stories
Tags:
None
Share:
Comment Print
Powered by Bondware
News Publishing Software

The browser you are using is outdated!

You may not be getting all you can out of your browsing experience
and may be open to security risks!

Consider upgrading to the latest version of your browser or choose on below: