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NEW CANAAN, Conn. More than 500 runners ran the All Out For Autism 5K race Friday in New Canaan. Greenwich native Alan Wells outran all of them.
Wells cruised to the win in 16:47, setting a course record. The old mark was set last year by Darien's Ken Poli, who ran 17:24. Poli also won in 2010. New Canaans Olivia Hompe won the womens division.
Wells, who now lives in Florida, took control of the race early and won by a comfortable margin. He used the race as a training run for a big race coming up Sunday in New Jersey. He is visiting the area for the summer and needed a tuneup.
I slowed it down in the last mile, Wells said. There were cars on the course and the lead car was even going behind me for a little while. I didnt want to get lost so I took it easy.
The heat and humidity were no problem for Wells, who lives in Orlando. Ive gotten accustomed to it, he said. You dont want to run in Florida in the summer. And there arent many races anyway.
The race featured a kids run and walk along with the 5K. Race proceeds will go to building a fitness path especially designed for the needs of people with autism.
Ron Rosenfeld and his wife, Tina, who own the New Balance store on Main Street in New Canaan, have seen the race thrive in just four short years. Proceeds from previous races supported a fitness center at Waveny Park that is popular among residents.
The town has been so supportive, Ron Rosenfeld said. The first three years we raised enough money for the fitness center. This town appreciates things. These people get it, and they appreciate it.
Complete results from Fridays race are available at clubct.org.
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