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The second annual Ecco Adesso 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer trail running and walking races welcomed 25 participants to Ecco Adesso Vineyards at Skyline Meadows Farm on Nov. 5.
The races supported Vet First Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the well-being of U.S. veterans and providing organic and sustainable food to those in need Both races were moderately hilly. Winning the 5K, which had 18 participants, was Donovan Foley of Vienna in 23 minutes, 45 seconds, a course record. Bryan Browe of Fredericksburg placed second in 25:24, and Wyatt Orebaugh of Fairfield finished third in 27:48. Caroline McKean of Warm Springs was the top female finisher, placing sixth overall in 31:18. Placing second among females and eighth overall was Erin Vespe of Silver Spring, Md. in 33:23. Jennifer Snyder of Fredericksburg placed third among females and ninth overall in 34:34.
Joseph Bencivenga of Annapolis, Md. won the men’s 10K, which had seven participants, in 52:37. Heather Bencivenga, also of Annapolis, was the top female finisher, placing second overall in 1:02:26. Marcia Byerley of Woodbridge placed second among females and third overall in 1:04:10, and Lisa Dowdell of Fairfield finished third among females and fourth overall in 1:07:11. There were only two men in the race, and the second was Kevin Foley, who placed sixth overall in 1:53:00.
For full results from the races, visit https://bishopsevents. com/2023_results/2023ecco-adesso-5k-10k.
Vet First Inc. employs only veterans, who operate the gardens, and everything harvested goes back to the Rockbridge Area Food Pantry. Tara Orebaugh, the event director, noted that, to date, 7,000 pounds of produce have been donated to those in need, thanks to the profits from the races. Orebaugh added that the nonprofit was recently honored by the Community Foundation for Rockbridge, Bath and Alleghany and awarded a grant. The nonprofit received a grant this year from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a new greenhouse that has arrived and will be assembled in the next few weeks so the staff can harvest all year long.
There are now two Vet First gardens, as Ecco Adesso has started another Vet First garden at the Williamsburg Winery.
For more information on Vet First Inc., visit vetfirstinc. com.
