By Christy Wolyniak, Intern

Runners both young and old clung onto their Viking helmets as they raced around Golden Gardens on Sunday in support of Ballard Rotary’s first annual 5k.

“We thought a 5k would be a nice, complimentary event [to the auctions we do every year]. This is our kick off – our opportunity to get [a 5k] off the ground and support the Ballard community,” said event coordinator, Terry Collings.

Proceeds from the event supported the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the Northwest Senior Center.

“We support the Boys’ and Girls’ Club annually, so we [hoped this event] would appeal to a different demographic,” said Collings.

Around 145 participants arrived at the park bright and early, 25 children among them.

Four friends showed up thanks to their friend Ali Small, as they fought off their grogginess, ready to race in spite of the early start.

“I found out about the event on active.com. I liked this race because it was close and at a good location,” said Ali Small. She said she plans to participate in the Gay Pride Parade and Festival held on June 25-26 as well.

“[This 5k is] a great jumpstart to summer,” commented friend, Haley Huston.

Runners participated for all sorts of reasons: for these four friends it was personal fitness and a chance to get out, while for Holly Grass and her friends, this 5k served as training for the half marathon they plan to complete in Marysville later this year.

They first wore their extravagant black Viking helmets in a race called the Warrior Dash – 3.55 miles of obstacles such as crawling through mud and leaping over fire pits, running through rivers, and other warrior-worthy feats. The next Warrior Dash is July 16 in North Bend, according to their website.

“We didn’t realize [this race] was up 34th street. It’s going to be slow I have a feeling,” laughed Grass.

Although the last leg of the race was an intimidating uphill, runners accepted the brisk challenge with high spirits.

“We’ve never ran or walked a 5k before,” said Pooter through his black and red Viking mask. “We just moved to Ballard, so it’s been nice to be in the neighborhood.”

For Pooter and his Viking-clad lady Angel Brutsche, their outfits were nothing compared to how extravagantly dressed they usually are for events such as this. Brutsche from San Francisco said she was used to events like the Bay to Breakers, where seeing a flurry of ridiculous costumes and streaking runners would not be out of the ordinary.

“The weather’s perfect. You want it to be a little cold, because you’ll get hot out there,” said Brutsche.

Kids were given their own Viking helmets to wear during the race, courtesy of Ballard Rotary. Four-year-old Colin Cerise kept his helmet on while he did a few calve stretches against a nearby tree at the starting line and waited with his parents, grandfather, and uncle to begin their trek.

“We live in Ballard and like to have runs in our neighborhood,” said father, Gil Cerise.

As the warm sun persisted towards a rare and beautiful morning in Seattle, runners were welcomed across the finish line with encouraging hollers and applause.

“I couldn’t have ordered better weather,” said race coordinator, Weston Williams.

A bit winded after the race, everyone was still laughing and smiling. “The last two miles were tough because they were mostly uphill. [The race] was set up nicely, though and traffic went smoothly,” said runner Andy Bokanev.

Thus far, the event brought roughly $4500 in revenue. The approximate amount donated to the charities will be announced in the next few days.