With the vibe of a huge party, and a margarita at the race finish line, Sunday's 11th Annual Southwest Cafe Margarita 5K had a purpose that filled participants with bright rays of sunshine: to raise money and awareness for a local group home for adults.
Ridgefield's Sunrise Cottage, part of ARI (Always Reaching for Independence), provides structural life-skills training, medical support, and transportation to employment, educational and social activities for residents, enabling the residents to lead more independent lives.
The brainchild of Southwest Cafe owner, Barb Nevins, the sunset run, organized in part by Run Like A Mother founder Megan Searfoss, attracted nearly 500 athletes from all over Fairfield County.
At the end of the race, a raffle, margarita and live music awaited the very wet (and very happy) runners. Nevins crowned the top finisher, 19 year old Ian Mickool, with a crown of hot red chili peppers. Ian finished first overall with a time of 16:49.