With more than 800 registered participants, race organizers closed registration and confirmed the 7th Jail Break 5K was SOLD OUT on Thursday, October 19. An estimated 700 “jail breakers,” from elite athletes to joggers and walkers, escaped from the 130-year-old historic Old Jail in St. Augustine. Participants raced through scenic St. Augustine over the Intracoastal Waterway along the Vilano Bridge to the finish line at the Vilano Beach Pavilion.
Running the USTAF timed 5K in an impressive 18:30 and crossing the finish line first, Blake Rigdon, 24, of St. Augustine, Fla. earned the 2023 Male Overall award. The 2023 Female Overall winner was Annie Breen, 26, of St. Augustine with finishing time of 20:47. At three years old each, M. Lopez and R. Sturgis, both of St. Augustine, completed the race as the youngest participants. The oldest participant to cross the finish line was Annette Zadnick, 84, of Palm Coast, Fla. All race finishers received this year’s distinctive handcuff medal and race t-shirt.
Jail Beak 5K Proceeds benefit INK! and St. Johns County Public Schools
The annual Jail Break 5K is organized by INK! and Old Town Trolley Tours of St. Augustine as a fundraiser to support academic initiatives and classroom resources in St. Johns County public schools.
According to Cathy Newman, INK!’s Executive Director, the race continues to garner great local and visitor enthusiasm among runners and volunteers. “There is such incredible energy at the event which makes the Jail Break 5K the most fun run in St. Johns County,” she said. “This event continues to be a successful annual fundraiser for our education foundation, and an excellent opportunity to bring awareness to the programs and resources we provide for our public schools.”
Jail Break 5K School Team Challenge and Costume Contest
In 2022, race organizers launched a School Team Challenge, inviting St. Johns County School District students, families, friends, faculty, and staff to participate in the 5K event while encouraging a friendly competition. Registering the highest number of participants in the 2023 event, St. Johns Virtual School won the 2023 School Team Challenge, a $1,000 grant, and unique Jail Break 5K trophy. Otis Mason Elementary School won second place and received a $500 school grant, and R.B. Hunt Elementary School won a $250 grant in third place.
A costume contest sponsored by Ghosts and Gravestones of St. Augustine and decided by a panel of local celebrity judges, included cash prizes. Costume contest celebrity judges included Director Scott Beaver, St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office; Tim Forson, Superintendent of St. Johns County School District; Linda LaCerva, President of Vilano Beach Main Street, Cindy Campbell-Taylor, Vice President of Vilano Beach Main Street, and Bucky the Beaver, Beaver Toyota St. Augustine.
Festivities also featured entertainment and activities for runners and attendees at the Old Jail Museum. All runners were rounded-up as “prisoners” as they began the race and were transported back to the Old Jail from the finish line at Vilano Beach by shuttle. A highlight of the race was the post-race party at the Old Jail Museum with food trucks, awards ceremony, music, and family-friendly entertainment.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
Sponsors of the Jail Break 5K included Old Town Trolley Tours, Leonard’s Photography, Beaver Toyota St. Augustine, Staples, All American Air Charitable Foundation, Mastercraft Builder Group, Matthews Design Group, Vallencourt Construction, Raintree Restaurant, The Bailey Group, Don’s Friends, Herbie Wiles Insurance, Grand Canyon University, Floaters Portable Sanitation, Wawa Inc., Horace Mann, and Orangetheory Fitness.
For race results, visit the website at https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/36762.
