A rainy start didn’t deter 357 participants from running and walking in the third annual Charlie Holder Sr. Memorial Race on Saturday, May 9, an event that raised $32,000 for two Newport County organizations.
This year’s race added a new 10K alongside the 5K run/walk and virtual options. Again presented by BRS Building Company, the event split its net proceeds between the Newport County YMCA and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, with each organization receiving $15,000. The race honors Charlie Holder Sr., who died Aug. 6, 2023.
Members of the Holder family, along with presenting sponsors Brian and Andrea Stout of BRS Building Company, presented the checks to the two organizations. “I am so grateful to every single person who donated, sponsored, signed up, or volunteered at my husband Charlie’s memorial race. We surpassed last year’s numbers, and I am over the moon with gratitude and pride,” said Elaine Holder. “Our whole family made the race happen: my children, grandchildren, nieces, cousins. It was really a labor of love.” Elaine and Charlie’s children — Charlie Jr., Rachel and Maria — joined their mother and extended family in honoring their father and his love for running and community.
Leaders of both organizations spoke about the race’s impact. “This donation helps provide summer camp scholarships so all kids can experience what the Y has to offer,” said Mike Miller, CEO of the Newport County YMCA. Heather Hole Strout, executive director of the MLK Center, said the funds would support preschool scholarships. “We will use these funds to offer scholarships to hard-working families so dozens of kids can learn and grow in our all-day Preschool,” she said.
Both races started and finished at the Y, passing through scenery in Middletown. The top three finishers in the inaugural 10K were Maruti Kolluru of Middletown (39:09.7), Kelly Johnson of Portland (40:50.66) and Jane Kaull (41:49.5). In the 5K, the winners were David Louria of Bristol (19:22.8), Christian Mercadante of Newport (20:56.0) and Emerson Campbell of Brooklyn (22:19.7).
Plans are already underway for next year’s race, scheduled for Saturday, May 8, 2027. “We’ve had such a great response these past three years. I know my dad is so proud of this race, for what it means for the community, and for the Y and the MLK,” said Charlie Holder Jr. “We’ve got some great ideas to make the race even better. Stay tuned!”
Serving Newport County since 1878, the Newport County YMCA is located at 792 Valley Road in Middletown. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, founded in 1922 and renamed for Dr. King in 1968, is located at 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd. in Newport and helped more than 8,700 people last year, the most in its history.
