On Saturday, September 14, members of the Gwynedd community came together for the Carolyn Keen 5K run, or the CK5K. The CK5K supports the legacy of Carolyn Keen ’10, a Gwynedd girl who passed away during her junior year at Gwynedd. During her time at Gwynedd, Carolyn was a member of the Cross Country and Track teams. A 5K is a perfect way to celebrate Carolyn and her love for running, along with her contributions to the Gwynedd community.
At 9:00 am on the morning of the race, friends, family, students and faculty gathered at the turf fields in their purple CK5K shirts to prepare for the race. Thank you to the entirety of the GMA field hockey team for coming and showing support by running. The track starts on GMAHS campus and runs through the Gwynedd Mercy University campus. This year, the Gwynedd community added a special flagpole dedication to honor the late Larry Wilson who passed away in December 2023. This was a beautiful tribute because Coach Wilson built Gwynedd’s running program and was Carolyn’s coach.
The day’s major events are the 1-mile walk and the 5K run. After both races were finished, everyone returned to the fields for delicious food like bagels and smoothies. Music was played by Gwynedd’s own group, Girls with Guitars. The festivities concluded around noon, after the raffle basket winners were announced.
All funds raised at the CK5K support the Carolyn Keen ’10 Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a rising junior each year, someone who displays characteristics like Carolyn. The Keen Scholars include Reese Miller ’26 and Katie Romano ’25.
This year’s CK5K was a huge success. It was a beautiful day with gorgeous weather, perfect for running. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported this fundraiser. The Gwynedd community is excited for next year’s race, and we hope you all come and show support!
