By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

Since it first premiered in 1989, the Kennett Run has been the traditional maker of moments that those who compete in the annual race – and those who merely attend – can easily predict.

There will be a small village of competitors, sprayed across the grassy area near the concert shell in Anson B. Nixon Park before the race, stretching to the thrashing sounds of a DJ. There will be mothers and fathers and their children, all brandishing running bibs. The course will be dotted by a diverse assemblage of talent levels, from the surefire to the unsure and from the expert to the novice. Along the stretch of State Street in Kennett Square, those who have no other affiliation with the race other that their residence shares the same town name will cheer from the sidewalk to passing runners. At the conclusion of the race, as the runners cross the finish line, there is joy, relief and merriment, made possible, in part, by water, bananas, pizza, donuts and the promise of a cold beer for those old enough to enjoy one.

For the dozens of Kennett Run organizers and volunteers who convene every year to make this race the stunning spectacle it has become, however, there was one element that was thankfully missing during the 2025 race on May 3.

It did not rain.

“We had a lot of concern in the days leading up to the race with the forecast that even up to Thursday showed rain in the forecast for both Friday and Saturday,” said Dr. Al Schmitt, acting president of Kennett Run Charities. “Friday was our set-up in the park, when volunteers, mostly board members, positioned barricades to mark the start/finish lines, strung banners and positioned tables and placed markers, directional signs and traffic cones to prepare the park and course for the next day.  

“Our Race Director John Ramagano also had a consultation with the Police Chief Holdsworth on contingencies for a thunderstorm and runner safety. Lightning strikes could delay any start of the race, and a prolonged delay could mean cancellation of the event entirely as roads could only remain closed for so long within the borough.  

“We were all breathing much easier when Friday arrived sunny and mild and the outlook for Saturday showed no precipitation. I believe that was responsible for a last-minute surge in registrations that saw our participant count jump by more than 100 in a single day.”

Beginning at 8:30 a.m. with the Power Run weightlifting competition and extending through the starts and finishes of the 5K, 10K and Children’s Fun Run, Kennett Run 2025 was, essentially, a dry run for nearly 850 competitors, who scampered through the borough past cheering crowds and the sounds of the Kennett High School Marching Band, who performed from the deck at the Melton Terrace at the Kennett Library. 

In the Power Run 10K category, 14-year-old Cleivin Jeronimo took first place in the Men’s Under 19 group of competitors with an adjusted time of 13:18, while 12-year-old Dragomir Rose finished in second with an adjusted time of 43:25. In the Men’s 2-64 category, Angelo Chaclas won with an adjusted time of 24:36; Steven McMillen took second place with an adjusted time of 28:51; and Caleb Edwards finished third with an adjusted time of 32:31. In the Women’s category, Natalie Moravek finished at the top with an adjusted time of 11:35, while Mary Kay Robinson finished second with an adjusted time of 38:16.

Fifteen-year-old Maddox Kirk took first place in the Men’s 5K Power Run Under 19 category with an adjusted time of 11:37; 14-year-old Luke Andress took second with an adjusted time of 18:11; and 12-year-old Jonathan Allen finished third with an adjusted time of 32:49. In the Male 20-64 category, Nick Murdock finished first with an adjusted time of 5:17; followed by Geoff Hart who recorded an adjusted time of 10:29; and Devin O’Hare with an adjusted time of 11:24. In the Men’s 5K 65 and over category, Michael Perna took first place with an adjusted time of 17:11, followed by Tim Johnson, whose adjusted time was 27:17.

In the Women’s 5K Power Run, Lea Robbins took first place with an adjusted time of 10:52; Alyson Jenkins finished in second with an adjusted time of 14:55; and Sharon Iacoangelo took third place with an adjusted time of 16:18.

For a complete listing of all race results, visit www.races2run.com.

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].