Spirited, But Soggy 5K Race Kicks Off Memorial Day Weekend In Doylestown

DOYLESTOWN, PA — The red, white, and blue was flying Saturday as Memorial Day weekend got off to a patriotic, but soggy start in Doylestown.

Despite the rain, hundreds hit the streets of Doylestown Borough for the iconic Doylestown 5K Race and Doylestown’s Mightiest Mile, which marked its 33rd year on Saturday.

As showers began falling from the sky, the one mile fun run - nicknamed the Mightiest Mile - was the first to step off with several hundred participants.

“It’s a little rainy, but you know what they say about rain? It makes you faster,” race organizer Kris Boger told participants as they took their mark. “You’re going to out run the raindrops.”

The Mightiest Mile steps off in Doylestown. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

A few moments later, young and old were hitting the pavement, heading east on Maple as raindrops fell from the sky.

The big race - the Doylestown 5K - was the next to take its mark, assembling on the wet pavement next to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for a 9:30 a.m. start.

Both races, organized by Discover Doylestown and part of the 30th anniversary of the Bucks 5K Series, drew more than 600 runners who raced through the borough for the benefit of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church and Discover Doylestown.

“It’s wet, but it’s fun,” said Boger during a pause in the action between the two races. “Runners actually like this because they’ll be extra fast. They don’t like the years when it’s 97 degrees and hot and humid. We’re likely to have more course records set today.”

According to Boger, more than 640 had pre-registered for the race. “We usually see another 100 show up on race day. I don’t think we’ll have that many today. But we have a lot of dedicated runners who come here year after year and a lot of great sponsors who make this race possible.”

About 15 minutes later, the first runners were crossing the finish line at Evolution Candy on East State Street.

For the second year, Dean Ricco was the first to cross the finish line, beating last year’s time of 16:06. The Ivyland Borough man made it look easy, crossing the finish line in about 15:56.

The playing of the Star-Spangled Banner opened both races. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

Dean Ricco brings it in at Saturday's Doylestown 5K. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Carolyn Smith approaches the finish line. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

“They made me work for it this year,” said Ricco, who crossed the finish line with about five strong competitors on his heels.

“I had to be careful on the big steep downhill heading into the turn because I usually like to open it up and take it sharp. This year I had to take it wide and a little slower so I couldn’t breakaway from the field as much,” he said. “There were a bunch of young guys out front this year, which really gave me a challenge. All I could think about is that I couldn’t lose my title without a fight. They made me work for it to the very end.

“I was happy with my time, especially given the conditions,” added Ricco, a graduate of William Tenant High School and DeSalles University who is now working for The First National Bank of Newtown.

The first woman to cross the finish line was Carolyn Smith of Pipersville, with a time of 18:48.

Smith was thrilled with her finish, besting her previous course time by two minutes in 2024, the last time she ran the race. She ran this year’s race with her brother, Kyle, and her mom, Jeanne Olliver

Smith is a graduate of Central Bucks East and St. Joseph’s University, where she earned a degree in finance. She will be returning to school in the fall to work on her Master’s degree.

Boger joined the crowd in applauding and cheering on the participants as they passed below a giant flag hanging above East State Street, courtesy of the Doylestown Fire Company.

“Great job. Great job guys,” she cheered as the runners raced by and the 33rd Doylestown 5K Race entered the history books.

Dean Ricco, who works at the First National Bank of Newtown, repeated as the top finisher on Saturday. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The top female finisher, Carolyn Smith, with her brother and her mom. All three ran Saturday's wet and chilly race. (Jeff Werner/Patch)