Even though last year’s race was billed as its last, the annual ME STRONG 5K carried on this year thanks to new leadership from DeLand’s Rotary Clubs and Florida Cancer Specialists. More than 5,000 racers took to the streets of DeLand to raise money for local cancer patients and test their own stamina for the 11th year in a row.
Photos by Beacon photographer Marsha McLaughlin
1 of 42

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Members of Survivor A-Team celebrate race day with a picture in Downtown Deland.

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Karen Weiss of the
Rotary Club of Downtown DeLand gets a
cape while other
Rotary members look
on. Weiss served as the
liaison between the various parties that worked
together to keep the
popular race going after its founders retired.

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
Linda Ryan, one of ME
STRONG’s founders wearing a ceremonial ME
STRONG cape during
the awards ceremony
following the 5K.

BEACON PHOTO/MARSHA MCLAUGHLIN
A group of racers run down Indiana Avenue in Downtown DeLand as part of the ME STRONG 5K Feb. 4.