Pugliese, Romond Top the Field in EAF's Inaugural Strides for Hope 5K

 

The inaugural Strides for Hope 5K Walk/Run. Photo by Alden Corrigan Media

 

Wellington, Fla. — Feb. 23, 2022 — Jack Pugliese and Laena Romond topped a field of over 200 participants to win top honors in the Equestrian Aid Foundation's inaugural Strides for Hope 5K Walk/Run. The event, held on President's Day at Wellington's Village Park, raised over $50,000 for the foundation's mission of helping horsemen who face medical crises and other unforeseen catastrophes. 

"We are absolutely thrilled by the way our community embraced this event," said EAF board member Louise Riggio. "Professionals, amateurs, juniors, families—everyone was here!" The event was also widely supported by members of the Palm Beach County running community.

 

Team Ingram (Wendy Powers, Torrey Hardison, Blythe Gougen, and Jared DePermentier). Photo by Alden Corrigan Media

 Equestrians also participated in the Team Challenge to raise dollars for the foundation's mission. While many teams were present on race day, others took part virtually. "From the Hamptons to the Bay Area, horsemen were putting their best foot forward for their community today," said board member Robert Ross, who with his partner Robert Dover rallied the largest of the 21 teams. In the end, Team Ingram rose to the top, raising over $11,000 to win the top prize of a team dinner sponsored by The Clubhouse at Palm Beach Polo and Country Club.

Given the popularity of the race, the Equestrian Aid Foundation plans to host the second annual Strides for Hope 5K Walk/Run in 2023. "From sponsors to participants to volunteers, our community showed up in force not just for a race, but for our mission," said EAF board member R. Scot Evans. "This is 'horsemen helping horsemen' in action." The second annual Strides for Hope will be held on February 20, 2023.

 

From left: Susan and Paul Weisman; Sofia Moskowitz of Team Beacon Hill (top); Annie Peavy, Becky Reno, and Kendall Cox (bottom); Jack Pugliese (00:17:59); Laena Romond (00:19:34). Photos by Alden Corrigan Media

 

 

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