HAWKS CAY’S ANNUAL 5K HONORS FIRST RESPONDERS

By
Alex Rickert
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a group of men standing next to each other in front of a building
Racers fill the parking lot of Angler and Ale restaurant before scattering through the streets of Duck Key in Hawks Cay Resort’s annual Heroes Salute 5K. Photos by ROSS SMITH/IslandExposureCo. See more race photos at keysweekly.com.

Running a 5K race is a challenge in and of itself. Running that same race in August in the Florida Keys in full tactical or firefighter gear? That’s another story.

Accompanying Hawks Cay Resort’s months-long Heroes Salute to honor members of the military and other first responders, the resort closed out the month of August with its annual 5K race around the streets of Duck Key on Aug. 31. Flanked by trucks and vessels from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Fire Rescue and more, runners took to the line at daybreak – some carrying dozens of pounds in their department’s gear – through 3.1 miles to the finish.

Proceeds from the morning run benefited the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, committed to providing lifesaving equipment and needed resources to first responders and public safety organizations.

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a couple of people that are running down a street
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a group of people running down a street
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a woman running down a street with trees in the background
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three medals with red, white and blue ribbons
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a group of men standing next to each other in front of a building
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a group of people standing next to each other
a group of people standing next to each other
a group of people standing under a finish line
Racers fill the parking lot of Angler and Ale restaurant before scattering through the streets of Duck Key in Hawks Cay Resort’s annual Heroes Salute 5K. Photos by ROSS SMITH/IslandExposureCo. See more race photos at keysweekly.com.
a group of people standing under a finish line
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.

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