The November monthly medal for Whitsunday Social Golf was held on Sunday to choose the final contenders for this year’s Medal of Medal Challenge.

Men’s A Grade winner was Ritchie Atkins, Mens B Grade winner was Dean Kercher, Ladies A Grade was Tiina Randmae, and Ladies B Grade went to Pam Casey.  

Runners up were Darren Reynolds, Gerald Lovell, Penny Wardroper, and Karen Rix. Longest Drives went to Ritchie, Dean, Penny and Pam.

Nearest the pins were Ritchie, Mark McDougall, Penny Wardroper, and Tiina Randmae.

Contributed with thanks to Joane Moynihan

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Dean Kercher, Tiina Randmae, Pam Casey, and Ritchie Atkins

It was a great Tuesday at Proserpine Veteran’s Golf on their first Monthly Medal, followed by our Melbourne Cup luncheon and sweeps.

Ladies’ winner with a very good score of 69 was Jacqui Wall, who sported a very functional hat for the Cup.

Second was Mandy Patterson (71) and in the rundown Elspeth Scotford (73), Paula McQuat (75), and Diane Chard (77 c/b).

The men’s winner was Gerald Lovell with a fantastic 66, second was Vic Feldman (71 c/b), and in the rundown John Roser (71), Gary Scotford (72), and Neil Cawthorne (74).

The pin shots for the ladies went to Leanne Alexander (9th), Jacqui (9th), Mandy Patterson (7th), Robyn Whitham(7th), Elspeth Scotford (16th), and Ann Gardel (16th).

The men’s pin shots went to Gerald Lovell (9th), John Oates (7th and 9th), Gary Scotford (7th), Vic Feldman(16th), and Neil Cawthorn (16th).

Winners of the least putts were Steve Mitchell and John Strelec with 28.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Gerald Lovell and Jacqui Wall

The weekly 9-hole competition this week was won by Andrew Gomez with 19 points at Whitsunday Green Golf Club.

Second was Elise Hodgson with 16 points and third was a countback in favour of Glenn Rees with 15 points.

Fridays 9-hole stableford was won by Scott Hayes Williams with 24 points, Cameron Mutch scored 22 points taking second from Jay Angel with a count back.

Sundays 18-hole Stableford was won by Dean Barnard with 36 points. Danny York and Dave Wallace both scored 35 points, but it was Danny York that took second with a count back.

Nearest the Pins were Danny York on the second and Marc Belke on the 9th.

This Sunday will be SKINS.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

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Justyn Durbin and Scott Hayes Williams

Twilight Race: Although the forecast showed a strong south easterly breeze, by the time the Whitsunday Sailing Club’s twilight races started competitors were faced with a light northerly wind.  A strong fleet of 19 boats faced the starter.

The start of the first division away, Division 2, saw Wide Load (Shannan Hart) clearing the fleet on port tack, a risky plan that occasionally works.  In this case it gave Wide Load a clear advantage as they headed to the first rounding mark.  The light winds were particularly advantageous to the lighter boats, with Smooth Criminal (Leo Rodriguez) leading Bobby’s Girl (Mark Beale) and Houdini (Rob Meizer). While they struggled on the upwind legs, Houdini used their spinnaker to advantage down wind, catching the bigger boats each time. In a dying wind, and with a course shortened at the last buoy, Houdini were hot on the tail of Smooth Criminal and catching fast, but fell short by just over a minute.  On corrected time, Houdini took the honours over Smooth Criminal and Bobby’s Girl.

The second start saw a combination of Divisions 1 and 3, with G’nome (Terry Archer) the lone Div 1 participant.  The start was clearly won by Masquerade (Tom Vujasinovic), but once again it was Matchless (Terry Stevens) and Alabaster (Kate Warren) to battled at the front with Matchless winning the battle.  Further back, the battle was on between Rossgo (Greg Hammon), Masquerade and Shiraz (John Cable), with little to separate these at the finish.  Corrected time win went to Matchless over Rossgo and Masquerade.

The monthly prizes for October, sponsored by Whitsunday Welding & Fabrication, went to G’nome (Div 1), Smooth Criminal (Div 2) and Lighthorse (Di Forster) (Div 3)

Full results are available at https://app.sailsys.com.au/club/85/profile?tab=results.  Races start from 4:30pm each Wednesday afternoon, so those wishing to participate as crew need to be at the club by 2:30 pm.

Contributed with thanks to Ross Chisholm
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Close racing with Treasure VIII and Wide Load

The Cannonvale Cannons had an extremely successful weekend at the Gardens Open LC Preparation Meet in Townsville.  

The Cannons’ junior male Freestyle relay team of Don Algie, Jax Clayworth, Thomas Ganter, and Nelson Malady claimed a gold medal, while the senior mixed Medley relay team of Jacob Bell, Holly Perrin, Remy Hedges, and Jacob Dewis won the bronze.  

The coaches, Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson were very impressed with all the swimmers’ efforts as the 15 swimmers accumulated 63 personal bests.

Congratulations to Tora Delac (1) , Remy Hedges(3) and Jacob Bell (1) for achieving state qualifying times.  

Top performers based on personal bests: Evie Doherty, Thomas Ganter, and Jack Ganter, who swam personal bests (PBs) in all their events.

Harris Delac swam fantastic times in all his events, with his best the 50-metre Butterfly with a 10.96 second personal best (PB).

Celeste Orenshaw thoroughly enjoyed her 100-metre Freestyle and 100-metre Breaststroke races, earning PBs and bronze medals.

Charlie Doherty had a very successful meet, swimming five PBs. His best swim was his 100-metre Backstroke which he swam in 1.32.92, fourth place and a 7.35 second PB.  

Highlights include: Tiana Bell, Holly Perrin, and Tora Delac each swimming four or more PBs. Tiana’s best swim was her 100-metre Breaststroke and Tora’s best swim was her 100-metre Freestyle.

Even though Holly’s best swim was her 200-metre Backstroke, she earnt silver medals for her 100-metre Butterfly and 200-metre IM.  

Jacob Dewis came home with five bronzes and one silver medal.  Jax Clayworth and Don Algie swam brilliantly earning PBs and medals.

Nelson Malady swam a super 50-metre Butterfly with a 2.31 second PB. Remy Hedges won gold medals for all her Breaststroke events.  

Congratulations to all the Cannons.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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Jax Don Thomas and Nelson with coaches

Young Cannons enjoyed the Gardens Open LC Preparation Meet in Townsville

Under 11s: The Proserpine Pitbull youngsters were in to bat first at home against Magpies Black on Saturday in tough, windy conditions.

Kobi (11) and Jaxson (6) opened proceedings to get the side off to a great start before Sean (3), Aiden (7), and Matthew (5) kept the scoreboard moving.

Bradley (3) and Laura (1) got some tough bowling but held their own very well while Ellen (5) and Zahra (2) came in at the end and combined well to finish the innings with the side’s highest score yet of 9/73.

Change of innings and Captain Ellen led the troops out to field.

With three catches and four runouts, the fielding was exceptional, but a late flurry of runs from the Magpies got them past the Pitbulls total, ending it 11/83

Player of the day went to the captain, Ellen.

Proserpine Pitbulls Under 12s: The young Pitbulls also took on the Magpies at Proserpine with Captain Shannon Matthews winning the toss.

The fast bowling unit were together for the first time this season adding to the excitement. Big Brock Childs (1/6) took the new ball and ripped in to knock over the Maggie’s opener in his first over to set the tone.

Ben ‘Starky’ Hope (2/2) then added to the pain next over destroying the castles of the Pies number 3 and 4. Captain Shannon (1/1) then took the ball to clean bowl another Magpie, the locals on top.

The visitors were soon all out for 17 with some spectacular bowling from the Pitbull side.

Time for the locals to then don the pads, the message “forget the scoreboard, bat for 25 overs”.  

It was a good start, but in particular, Big Ben ‘Starky’ Hope (17no) and Noah P (29no) made a 45-run partnership to propel the locals to 4-106 at the end of their innings, and to a comprehensive victory.

Players Player - Noah Porter (2/1, 29no)

Contributed with thanks to Michael Hope and Mark Porter

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The 2022 North Queensland Sportstar Awards were held at a gala event in the Cloncurry Town Hall last Saturday, where a local BMXer was recognised in the Sporting Excellence category.

Connor Parish finished a sensational BMX season by being recognised with this prestigious award at the NQ Sportstar event, representing Mackay Regional Council.

The Sporting Excellence award is for an athlete who is dedicated and has gone above and beyond to excel in their chosen sport.

The award takes into consideration the athlete’s circumstances and potential to advance their sporting careers.

Connor attended the 2022 BMX World Championships in France and made it to the semi-finals of the 24” category before crashing in the semi-finals and unfortunately crashed in qualifying in the 20” category.

At the 2022 Oceania Championships, Connor finished 2nd in the 24” category and 4th in the 20” category. At the Australian Championships in December 2021, Connor finished 2nd in the 24” category and 4th in the 20” category.

At the 2021 Mackay and District BMX Club Presentation Day, Connor was awarded as the Rider of the Year.

Full list of 2022 North Queensland Sportstar winners:

Senior Sportstar of the Year - Sarah Cochrane (Townsville), Weightlifting

Junior Sportstar of the Year – Zoe Chester (Townsville), Athletics

Masters Sportstar of the Year - Allan Jefferson (Townsville) Ultra Cycling

Sportstar Team of the Year – AUS CROCS (Cairns) White Water Rafting

Sportstar Athlete with a Disability - Benjamin Wenzel (Cairns) Tennis

Sportstar Service to Sport - Michael Further (Etheridge)

Sportstar Sporting Excellence - Connor Parish (Mackay), BMX

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Nine Special Olympics Mackay athletes have done Mackay proud on the national stage, travelling to Launceston for the Special Olympics National Games in October.

Special Olympics Mackay was founded in 2012 and currently has 33 athletes competing across powerlifting, table tennis, basketball and ten pin bowling.

After hosting the Special Olympics State Titles CQ Games in Mackay in April 2021, nine of those 33 were selected in the Queensland team.

Annie, Chloe, TJ and Shane travelled to Launceston to compete in basketball and Corey, Donna, Frank, Paul and Tegan to compete in ten pin bowling.

Special Olympics On The National Stage

The aim of the Special Olympics is to empower people with intellectual disabilities to discover new strengths, abilities, skills and success through the power of sport.

Special Olympics Mackay Coach and Mentor Kimberly Doyle says the recent Special Olympics National Games in Launceston achieved that aim.

“It was just astonishing to see the impact and the athletes to come away with a greater resilience and greater independence and just a greater feeling of self-worth,” she said.

“They just feel they’ve achieved and just to be there is an achievement.”

All Mackay athletes achieved admirable results, with some finishing the games with gold, silver and bronze medals across both basketball and ten pin bowling.

“They have their own expectations as to how they want to succeed,” said Kimberly.

“We were very happy with their performances.

“They tried their best, that’s all we really focus on, as long as they try their best, they’re a success.”

There are over 3,000 athletes involved in Special Olympics across the country, with 973 of those competing at the National Games.

“Everyone belonged, everyone felt they were part of something so big,” said Kimberly.

“It’s the greatest inclusive games in the country.

“To have those different abilities, you don’t have to be elite athletes, you just have to do your best.

“The athlete's oath is, ‘Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt,’ and that’s all they have to do.”

Athletes now wait with bated breath to find out if they qualify for the World Games, held in June 2023 in Berlin.

Wests Leagues Club is also hosting a fundraising cent sale for the Special Olympics Mackay this Sunday, November 6 from 11:00am where you will be able to meet the athletes who have returned from Launceston with their medals.

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Emily Boyd is an Australian Great – she has represented Australia for diving at the FINA World Junior Championships, the Senior Titles in Barcelona and Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

She attended the Pioneer Swim Club on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, to speak of her incredible journey as an elite athlete in the sport of diving.

Emily spoke of her battles with her health and injuries, weekly training, nutrition, her goals for the future and how she seeks to achieve them.  

Approximately 40 swimmers met Emily after squad training, posed for photos and had the opportunity to hold her Commonwealth Bronze medal.

Pioneer Swim Club wishes to thank Emily for her visit - we loved it!  

Our swimmers are so lucky to have the opportunity to meet encouraging and inspiring athletes like Emily.

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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The annual presentation night dinner last Friday was well attended with over 100 people there. Ian Morris has a flash drive with many photos of the evening. Hopefully members saw Friday’s paper with a full page of results and photos.

This weekend is the CMR Goosies 10,000 comp with the Calcutta on tonight.

Social Bowls

Monday mixed pairs winners were Lidia McCarthy and Kathy Mathews, followed by Pat O’Neill and Jan Little.

Doug Dungavell and Sandra Summerfeld won the lucky draw.

Wednesday ladies’ day was won by Sheryl Cuttriss, Michele Stockton, Lidia McCarthy and Lois Deguara. Runners up were Fay McCubben, Sue Hazledine and Pat O’Neill.

Thursday mixed pairs draw winners were Tony Allsop and Warren Corbett, and Col Carey and G. Dyer. Chrissy Hall and Jess Haber won greens vouchers.

Friday mixed pairs overall winners were Cheryle Corbett and Lorraine Silman who took home $75 each. Winner’s draw was taken out by Doug Giddings and Darren Addie. No names were down for the losers' draw.

Saturday men’s day winners were Wayne Trannore and the consistent Peter Delaney, with Rob Evans and Alex Cameron in second spot.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

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Image: L-R: Rachel McKenzie (coach), Treyce Ciantar, Matthew Romal, Lincoln Grisan-Hodges, Cooper Currie, Joanne Ciantar (Team Manager); seated Usai Bickey, Braithen Vickers, Jack Hall, Archie Howell and Arthur Bandalan

Fielding one of its youngest-ever male line ups, Mercy College Mackay has risen to the challenge at the Champion Basketball School of Queensland tournament staged recently on the Gold Coast.  

Spearheaded by boom 13-year-olds Treyce Ciantar, Cooper Currie and Usai Bickey, the Mercy hoopers turned in courageous and skillful performances against opponents three years their senior to finish a creditable seventh in the Junior Secondary Boys Division 3 championship.

Under the expert coaching of Rachel McKenzie, the College rookies chalked up impressive victories in the preliminary rounds to qualify for the finals phase.

It was a meritorious achievement by the fresh-faced hoopers who held their own against some of the finest 16-year-old basketball talent in the State to earn a top eight finish.

On the final day the Mercy colts defeated Redlands College to clinch the play-off for seventh spot.  

Power forward Ciantar, point guard Currie and shooting guard Bickey helped the Mackay Meteors capture the North Queensland Under 14 championship title earlier this year and will represent the Emerging Queensland Under 15s at the 2023 National Under 16 Junior Basketball Championships in Melbourne next January.

By Chris Karas

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Image: St Patrick’s College has a new rugby league coach, Ian Schifilliti. Image supplied

St Patrick’s College Mackay have appointed former international centre Ian Schifilliti as coach of its Open boys rugby league team for 2023.

The Ingham native – who joined the St Patrick’s teaching staff at the beginning of this year – was a popular choice to replace departing mentor Michael Comerford, who has taken on a new role as Head Coach of the Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Hostplus Cup.

Ian, the kid brother of former Illawarra and Parramatta star hooker Dean Schifilliti, guided the Mercy College senior boys rugby league team to the Cowboys Challenge Shield Grand Final this season.

Chasing back to back titles, the Mackay youngsters were left shattered after Kirwan State High snatched the trophy with a try after the full time bell.

Highly regarded during his playing career as a skilful and industrious forward and centre with a strong work ethic, the respected journeyman is an effective communicator and teacher who brings a wealth of experience to the role.

Schifilliti is a legendary figure in the Townsville region where he carved a niche with the Herbert River Crushers club.

He pulled on his first boots at the age of eight and helped the Crushers win Under 11, Under 12, Under 13, Under 14 and Under 16s premierships in the Townsville District Junior League while playing alongside the likes of Canberra flyer Royston Lightning and former Cowboys and Warriors hooker Paul Dezolt.

Although small in frame, what Ian lacked in size he more than made up for with his tenacity, courage, ball play and copybook defence as he entered the senior ranks.

By the age of 18, Schifilliti was an established Townsville representative forward in the Foley Shield competition and later trialled with Super League club Adelaide Rams and Parramatta after he was spotted by Eels’ talent scout Noel Cleal.

He took up an offer to play in the English Super League with the London Broncos under former Eels premiership-winning coach John Monie and enjoyed stints with the Rochdale Hornets and Keighley Cougars in the United Kingdom before returning to Ingham to complete his teaching degree.

A highlight for Ian was playing three Test matches for Italy at the 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament in England which was held alongside the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.  

Ian teamed up in the centres with Canberra ace Jason Bulgarelli and helped Italy qualify for the 2008 World Cup event with victories over Canada and the United States.

Schifilliti scored two tries in Italy’s 66-6 thumping of Canada and 40-16 win over the USA and featured in the 20-18 loss to the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) in the final at Dewsbury.

On his return, Ian lined up for the Crushers in the Townsville A Grade competition before retiring as a player in 2008.

He began teaching at Heatley Secondary College Townsville and his old school Gilroy Santa Maria College Ingham while serving his coaching apprenticeship with the Crushers A Grade team.

Schifilliti piloted Herbert River to three Grand Finals and a 2016 premiership and the Northern Open Schoolboys to success before assisting Michael Comerford with the Northern Queensland Marlins representative team.

Ian took over the Marlins’ coaching reins from Comerford in 2018 and continued to prepare Gilroy Santa Maria in the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools competition before moving to Mackay.

When asked about his new coaching role, Schifilleti said he was “honoured and excited” with the opportunity to coach a St Patrick’s squad brimming with talent.

“It is a privilege to step into the shoes of Michael Comerford who has shaped the St Patrick’s Rugby League Academy into a real force,” said Ian.

“We have the nucleus of the champion 2022 squad returning in hooker Xavier Kerrisk, half back Jaxon Purdue, fullback Will Shears, sharp backs Bailey Anderson, Tenzin Contor, Bailey Caruana and others.

“Throw in promising Mercy colts like Saxon Crofts, Hunter Harris, Reuben Saron, Javen Ramsamy, Hudson Smith, Kooper Shears, Cohen Jackson, Toby Woodall and Lachlan Whippy and you have the ingredients for a competitive outfit in 2023.”

By Chris Karas

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Image: Treyce Ciantar is a champion on the basketball court and the touch football field. Images supplied

When he’s not rebounding, playing in the post or setting screens as a power forward on the basketball court you’ll find top schoolboy athlete Treyce Ciantar weaving his magic on a touch football field.

The Mercy College Mackay Year 8 student shows plenty of promise in both sports and impressed keen judges at two of Queensland’s biggest school events recently on the Gold Coast – the Titans All Schools Touch Football Championships and the annual Champions of Secondary Schools Basketball tournament.

Versatile Treyce steered the Mercy/St Patrick’s 13yrs Boys touch football team to the last 16 of the finals series where he showcased his skills as a middle player.

Four days later he was mixing it with the best basketball talent in the State and players two years his senior at the Champions Schools carnival – helping the Mercy/St Patrick’s Under 15 Boys claim seventh ranking.

Competing against the big guns at the Champion Schools Basketball event was perfect preparation for the upcoming Australian Under 16 Championships to be staged in Melbourne during the New Year.

Treyce will join fellow 13-year-old Mercy College students Cooper Currie and Usai Bickey in the Emerging Queensland Under 15 squad that should benefit from their participation at the national titles.

The talented trio are three of Mackay’s best young basketball prospects and key players in the Meteors’ Junior Development Program.

All three will attend a special State camp in Brisbane next January 17 in preparation for the National Carnival.

Hand-eye coordination is an important skill in Treyce’s make up and has kept him in good stead – ever since he first competed on a basketball court at the age of six.

A product of the South's club in the Mackay Basketball Association, Treyce has blossomed under the tutelage of leading coaches Renee Currie, Chris Breckell and Tony Hutchinson – three local figures who have proved a major influence on his career to date.  

The strapping power or small forward shows a maturity that far belies his years and helped Souths achieve championship success in the Under 8s, Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and Opens (Under 18s) competitions.

Ciantar, a Capricornia schoolboys representative, has served the Mackay Meteors since the age of eight and earlier this year led the club to a North Queensland Under 14 Championship title.

To hone his basketball skills, Treyce also lines up against adults and seasoned campaigners in a Sunday Mens competition where he plays as a point guard alongside his dad Trent.

While basketball may be his preferred sport, Treyce also shares a passion for touch football.  

He began his career as a 5-year-old with the Marani club and was soon representing Mackay from Under 9s and leading the region to North Queensland Cup and Red Rooster Cup triumphs.  

The sky's the limit for this talented young hoop who is destined for bigger things.

By Chris Karas

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The fierce and fast were recognised last month at the Mackay Road Runners Annual Awards for 2022.

Major award recipients

Junior Female  & Male Club Champions Lily Leven and Damian Rutland

Open Female & Male Club Champions Glynis Forse and Joe Grech

Junior Female & Male Eungella Queen and King of the Mountain Lily Leven & Damian Rutland

Open Female & Male Eungella Queen and King of the Mountain Demi Caldwell & Cristian Smith

Junior Monthly Medals Luke Leven, Alex Couldrey; Toby Rule, Oliver Rule

Open Monthly Medals Mick Vivian, Paul Mackenzie, Shane Donnollan, Andrew Short, Alan Zamparutti, Michael Feenaghty

Lost Bunyips Open Female and Male Trail Series Champions Carmel Mahon & Joe Grech

Andergrove 10km Handicap Champion Heli Talinurm

Shawn Claydon Memorial 10km Shield Tahnie Malagueno & Angus Jacobs

Benita Willis 10km Handicap Trophy Martin Lambert

Most Improved Andrew Wallace

Encouragement Award Luke Leven

Most Supportive Alan Zamparutti

Most Consistent Carmel Mahon

Col & Rhonda Meng Club Person of the Year Jo Hughes

Overall Handicap Points Champion Joe Grech

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Pioneer Valley Charity Fun Run

The date was March 27, 2020.

Kay Nyenuh’s two Muscle Garden gyms in Mackay and Marian were about to be shut down due to COVID restrictions.

He was at his newly opened Marian gym for a lengthy telecommunications appointment when he took his daughter, Rosa, for a walk.

It was then, he came up with an idea to host a charity fun run along the Pioneer River in Marian.

Thought is one thing, but action is another. However, when Kay has his mind set, there’s no turning back. In the face of adversity and great personal sacrifice through lost income during COVID restrictions, Kay has triumphantly hosted the fun run for the past three years, successfully raising more than $70,000 for the Mackay Hospital Foundation. The third event was held last weekend.

The 2.5km loop course provided the perfect supportive atmosphere for friends and family to cheer on competitors, and the event appeals to all fitness levels, with 1km, 5km, 7.5km and 10km options.

Now with a third gym opened in Andergrove, Kay is optimistic about the future and thanked the support he received to make the fun run a reality.

“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this event the past three years,” Kay said.

“All the businesses, the participants, my team, I can’t thank you enough.

“In the three years we’ve held this event it’s only gotten bigger and bigger and I can’t wait for next year already!”

This week Kay is flying to New York to fulfill a personal goal, to run the New York Marathon.

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