5K Run/Walk To Wellness

[slideshow id=13]

On May 14, nearly 300 people enjoyed and endured the most taxing ESPN tour ever.

The first annual ESPN 5K Run/Walk to Wellness brought out hundreds of ESPN employees and their families who wanted to test their strides through parking lots, up steep inclines and around the satellite farm.

The course consisted of two laps around ESPN Bristol’s Main Campus, starting and finishing on the campus green. The event had 257 adult entrants. There were 30 children entered in the Kids Fun Run sponsored by EFAM, one of ESPN’s Employee Resource Groups.

“I was greatly surprised by the turnout but moreso by all the positive comments and wonderful energy that I heard or felt from everyone that participated.,” said Mike Deangelo, Associate Manager of ESPN’s Health and Wellness Center and event organizer.

“It was so nice to see employees and their families on the campus that day.  I’ve already heard from many people asking if we would be No. 1: Doing it again; No. 2: Doing another one in the fall.”

For former University of Minnesota high jumper Tim Scanlan (bib No. 200 in the photos above), the trek was a nice stepping stone toward competing in his sixth marathon later this year.

Running the course also helped Scanlan, Vice President, Event Production, discover a part of campus he had not seen.

“I had no idea that we had a road on the backside of campus there,” said Scanlan, a 15-year ESPN veteran, “the road above the garage that sits across from Building 12. So it was a learning experience.

“My favorite part was the start and finish, right between Buildings 3 and 4. I thought Mike and the team did a great job of laying out the course, explaining the rules, and then just being there to direct you and cheer you on. . . . As you came through under the arch, it was a great place to rest after you finished.”

Carol Pandiscia (bib No. 57), Senior VP, Technology, has competed in two marathons and several shorter races. Running this 3.1-mile course gave the 21-year ESPN employee a chance to meet people who were just testing their fitness.

“It was really nice to talk to people there who were in their first race,” she said. “I think the whole concept that [the organizers] were trying to push, the ‘wellness’ piece, succeeded. Take one step at a time and start your journey to wellness.”

Joslyn Dalton from espnW won the 5K with a time of 18 minutes, 36 seconds. Affiliate Sales and Marketing’s Daniel Cruz finished second (19:08).