On April 9, the Salem Lions Club held its 29th annual 5k and one-mile Fun Run/walk fundraiser. The day started out looking hopelessly cloudy, like it was going to rain, but then the sky cleared and the sun shined and it proved a great day for the events.

The one-mile Children’s Fun Run/Walk for kids had 32 participants. The mile run track was run on Morgen Road in Salem, hilly terrain and not an easy run. Winners were:

1st girls: Casie Meader, from Uncasville

1st boys: Archy Hibbard, from North Stonington

The Salem 5k Race started at 10 a.m. with 206 participants, the largest group ever. The first person across the line was William Sanders. He won first male. Sybil Sanders, his wife, won first female, across the line shortly after. The family is from Marlborough.

Runners came from as far away as North Hampton, Mass., and the oldest was 92. Dr. Anne Pierson, 92-year-old from Old Lyme, walked the whole 5k route.

After the race, the runners went to the Salem School lunch room and celebrated with pizza and drinks.

Salem Lions Club funding supports these Salem causes: the Salem Town Benevolent fund, Secret Santa, The Easter Egg Hunt event, eye screening through KidSight to kindergarten through the fifth grade at the Salem School, the D.A.R.E project in the Salem School, Salem Youth Baseball, and annual scholarship to two graduating Salem High School seniors.

Other charities supported include: Care and Share, Diabetes, Camp Rising Sun, FIDELCO guide dogs, and Hearing and Speech.