Race Against Hunger photo story

Nighthawks Race Against Hunger

Sunday, Oct. 23 l Northern Guilford High School

Event highlights provided by race committee co-chairs Janice Campagna and Holly Rackers, and committee members Lori Harrington, Jenny DeLo and NGHS PTSA president Kelly Reis. The Northern Guilford High School PTSA was proud to host the third annual Nighthawks Race Against Hunger on Sunday, Oct. 23. One hundred forty-six registrants and 37 volunteers (including 27 student volunteers) gathered on a sunny afternoon to donate food and race to raise money for two local organizations: Guilford Backpack Ministries (GBM) and the Out of The Garden Project (OOTGP). GBM helps students and their families in the Northern and Northwest school districts and the OOTGP helps to address the issue of food insecurity in the broader Greensboro area. Students were eligible to earn service hours for participating or volunteering. Ainsley’s Angels riders Ryan Dilger and Ethan Faulkner and their runners participated in the 5K race. Ainsley’s Angels is a nationwide organization that builds awareness about America’s special needs community and the importance of transforming populations into all-inclusive communities. The Race Against Hunger produced a record $7,500 in proceeds and almost 1,000 pounds of donated food! A portion of the proceeds will also go to the NGHS PTSA to support the Advocacy Committee, which provides food for students and their families at school events. Awards were given to the top three overall male and female winners in the 5K. Gift cards went to first-and second-place winners in the 1-mile and 5K events, and team awards were given to teams with the largest number of participants, the fastest average finishing time in the 5K and the best costume. Special acknowledgement to our financial sponsors: EmergeOrtho, Greensboro Sports Performance, Karen Bolyard Real Estate Group, The Andrews Insurance Agency, ATI Decorative Laminates, Mohorn Oral Surgery & Implant Center, Magnolia Shores Family Dentistry, Northwest Observer, Teoh EMT and Fleet Feet. Thanks also to the numerous businesses who donated to our goody bags, raffle prizes and post-race refreshments.

See more photos from this event at facebook.com/ NorthwestObserver

Inaya Ejaz was the first-place female finisher in the 5K, with a chip time of 22:38.05, for a 7:17-mile pace. Easton Voltz was the first-place finisher in the 5K, with a chip time of 18:34.95, for a 5:59-mile pace.

Troy Morris (shown in photo) pushes athlete-rider Ryan Dilger in the 5K; Morris was one of two volunteers with Ainsley’s Angels of America participating in the 5K with an athlete-rider – the other volunteer was Lauren Bruce (shown in photo, behind Morris and Dilger). The nonprofit Ainsley’s Angels seeks to build awareness of America’s special needs community and help develop inclusivity. (Side note: Morris and Dilger finished the 5K in third place overall, with a chip time of 20:17.28, for a 6.32-mile pace.)