Mark Mulholland believes in divine intervention — his wife Kelly Mulholland never liked rainy days.
Maybe that’s why it stopped raining in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, just minutes before the start of the Fourth Annual Mother-Lovin’ Day 5K running race at the Saratoga Spa State Park.
The race is a fundraiser for Kelly’s Angels, a support group for children and families affected by cancer. Kelly Mulholland died of breast cancer on Oct. 17, 2007.
Runners who arrived at the park’s Orenda Pavilion shortly after 8 a.m. warmed up in dreary, damp conditions.
The 650 people who participated in the race, and in an earlier fun run for children, didn’t have to run and walk wet; sunshine made a brief appearance at the start of the race, and made a comeback later in the morning.
“It surprises me that people are still willing to come out in the rain,” said Mulholland, president of the group and a reporter for WNYT Television, NewsChannel 13. “I guess it speaks to how the cause has touched people, which is pretty gratifying.”
Kelly’s Angels, which formed in 2010, provides gifts to children under age 18 who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer. The donations, called “fun grants,” allow kids to engage in a fun activity of their choosing, such as a trip to a professional baseball game, a visit to an amusement park or even golf lessons and equipment.
Mulholland said Kelly’s Angels has raised $150,000 since it started, and has helped 65 children. He believes the Mother’s Day event fills a need in the community. “People like to get together with the family on Mother’s Day,” he said. “This is a perfect start for Mother’s Day morning.”
Some mothers ran with their children. “This is the first time we’re doing this with our sons, the 5K,” said Shannon Britten of Saratoga Springs.
“It’s a tradition, we do this every year, it’s important to be active,” added Erin Crowe of Saratoga Springs.
Matthew Britten and Braeden Crowe, both 8, had energy to spare. They were running around the pavilion long before runners began their fast, moderate and slow tours of the park.
Christine O’Neill of Clifton Park ran with her daughter, Ciara, 11. Christine understands cancer — one of her friends lost a husband to the disease. “As a mother, I can’t imagine not being here for my daughter,” she said. “It breaks my heart.”
Families ran together, some supporting loved ones who are battling health problems. Members of “Jessica’s Fabulous Brat Pack” ran for Jessica Sorbero of Saratoga Springs, a kindergarten teacher in Schuylerville who is fighting cancer. “Love and support,” said Jennifer Sorbero, Jessica’s sister-in-law. “Lift up those who are down.”
Some didn’t mind the threat of rain. Donna LaMere of Glens Falls and members of her family wore thin plastic ponchos, but they didn’t really need them. “We’re campers,” LaMere said. “Rain doesn’t bother us.”
Other mothers ran solo. “It’s a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day, I wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Kristen Corcoran of Saratoga Springs. “My kids are here volunteering, my husband is volunteering and I get to run.”
Louis Dinuzzo, 34, of Saratoga Springs won the race in 17:16. Jamie Lesniak, 38, of Dover, N.H., was the first woman finisher and 15th overall, at 22:09. Parents and kids hung around the pavilion after completing their exercises, eating sweets and fruits, checking their times and generally having a good time.
Tom Barrows, 35, of Glens Falls, was 13 when he lost his mother to cancer. He’s glad Kelly’s Angels is around to help kids cope with such a huge absence in their lives.
“It’s tough,” he said. “These kids need something to make them smile. They don’t have many of them when one of their parents passes away.”
Reach Gazette reporter Jeff Wilkin at 395-3124, [email protected] or @jeffwilkin1 on Twitter.
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