Downtown 5K Draws 7,000

A mix of 7,000 elite and other competitive runners, recreational runners, wheelchair competitors, walkers and children flocked to Providence for the 22nd CVS Caremark Downtown 5K on Sunday.

The annual race offered 21 different competitive levels divided according to age and ability. Professional athletes competed to be the National 5K Champion, while recreational runners aimed for personal best times. Children with physical and intellectual disabilities enjoyed an inspirational event while a 3K for high school runners incorporated a costume contest. Amateur runners competed as individuals or on college, corporate and gym teams.

More than 4,600 people participated in the main 5K race while 1,200 “up and coming” runners took part in the event’s youth races.

The men’s overall and national champion of the 5K was “In the Arena” New Hampshire team member Ben True, a graduate of Darmouth College, who had a victory time of 13:44. True was also the American winner in this year’s AJC Peachtree 10K Road Race in Atlanta.

The women’s overall and national champion was Julie Culley, a New Jersey native, with a time of 15:41.7.

“We are so proud to sponsor this wonderful event,” said Eileen Howard Boone, senior vice president of corporate communications for , of the company’s now 12-year sponsorship. “Each and every year, the turnout is remarkable.”

Notable runners in this year’s CVS Caremark Downtown 5K included Robert Cheseret, Kenyan Native and defending champion of the 2010 CVS Caremark Downtown 5K; Anthony “Fam” Famiglietti, two-time United States Olympian, six-time U.S. Champion and a two-time winner of the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K; Sam Chelanga, a 14-time All-American from Liberty University who won back to back NCAA Cross Country titles in 2009 and 2010; and Sarah Hall, women’s winner of the 2006 Downtown 5K and seven-time All-American from Stanford University.

The race began and ended on Francis Street in front of the Rhode Island State House. 70 runners hailed from Woonsocket this year, including 's Joseph Nadeau. 42-year-old Chris Burch from Woonsocket turned in the best time of the city's competitors coming in at 110th place with a run time of 17:49. Woonsocket's fastest female participant was 40-year-old Viengkhek Phimmasone with a time of 31:04:1

Awards were presented after the race on the state house lawn and included trophies for the top five finishers in each youth race and USATF medals for the top 10 American men and the top 10 American women runners in the 5K.

For a full list of race results visit www.cvsdowntown5k.com.