Photos by Don Bowers
The soundside Kinnakeet Shores neighborhood was the most colorful spot on Hatteras Island on Saturday morning, October 8, thanks to the annual HICF Positively Pink 5K.
Returning live for the first time since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, the event is a popular fundraiser for the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation (HICF). Founded in the year 2000, the HICF provides assistance to local residents dealing with cancer to help with needs such as travel expenses, prescriptions, and medical supplies, as well as medical bills that are not covered by insurance.
Since its inception, the HICF has assisted over 211 islanders with cancer and their families, with grants in excess of $1,000,000.
Though the October event traditionally draws a pink-hued crowd, (due to its Breast Cancer Awareness Month timeframe), this year, participants were asked to wear white in order to take full advantage of a new twist to the 5K – the addition of “color blast” stations.
Throughout the 3.1-mile trek through Kinnakeet Shores, three color stations were set up along the way, where participants were literally blasted with a rainbow of colors. While the race started out as a blank canvas, it ended with a tie-dyed crowd that drew plenty of attention from onlookers and spectators.
Medals were given out to the overall top three finishers, as well as the top finishers for men and women in an array of age groups.
The cooler temperatures and light breeze brought an extra dose of sunshine to the already bright and festive event, and more than one participant said they were already looking forward to next year. While most of the participants were from Hatteras Island, the race drew visiting participants from all over the East Coast, (including Virginia, New York, and Washington D.C.), who took advantage of the gorgeous fall weather to colorfully support a local cause.
And at the end of the day, the event raised over $18,000 for the HICF, which was the icing on the cake of an already-celebrated event.
More information on the HICF can be found online at https://hicf.org/.
This year’s overall winners and HICF 5K sponsors are listed below.
HICF 5K Overall Winners:
Overall Men:
- 1st Place: Pablo Marquez of Frisco, NC
- 2nd Place: Stephen King of Buxton, NC
- 3rd Place: Scott Bonanni of Salvo, NC
Overall Women:
- 1st Place: Anna Grelecha
- 2nd Place: Maureen Fleetwood of Frisco, NC
- 3rd Place: Mary Lowe Mayhugh of Washington, D.C.
HICF 5K Sponsors
Greater Kinnakeet Shores Home Owners Assoc. Cape Hatteras Motel / Conner’s Supermarket Hatteras Island Salty Threads
Right Coast Maintenance • Shore Details Frank and Fran’s • Frisco Rod and Gun Mead L. Slagle, DDS • Happy Belly Ice Cream/Hatteras Parasail Resort Realty • The Island Free Press • The Inn on Pamlico Sound Top Dollar Construction • Brindley Beach Vacations & Sales Dixon & Dixon Law Offices • Albatross Fleet • Surf or Sound Realty Frisco Woods Campground • North Carolina Beach Buggy Assoc.
Orange Blossom Bakery and Cafe • The Larson Family Old Gray House Gifts • Yaupon Inn • Cape Hatteras Electric Coop Outer Banks Fire Protection • Blue Lagoon Gallery • Blue Pelican Gallery Callahan Heating and Air • Swell Motel • North Beach Campground and General Store • Sun Realty • Hatteras Helping Hands Cape Construction Custom Building • Lighthouse View Motel Kostich & O’Neal, CPA
Michael Halminski Photography • Kat’s Deli • Island Cycles • Duck Donuts Buxton Village Books • Hatteras Island Seafood Boils • John Letteri, Broker – Sun Realty • Raise the Bar
