29th Annual Ruthie 5K Brings Middletown Together
The YMCA of Middletown’s 29th Annual Ruthie 5K was another successful event for the Middletown community, celebrating tradition, fitness, and community. Over 450 people ran or walked the 5K in honor of the late great Ruthie Dino-Marshall, a beloved former Middletown local guidance counselor and YMCA Aerobics trainer.
Runners of all ages took to the course to celebrate Ruthie, turning the 29th Annual Ruthie 5K into more than just a race— a community tradition built on fitness, memory, and togetherness. Among the field, one name stood out once again: longtime participant David McCarey, a familiar face at the annual event.
McCarey Leads Competitive Field
McCarey’s connection to the Ruthie 5K runs deeper than competition. He shared that he first ran the race at just nine years old and has been coming back ever since. He has been running for a long time across multiple disciplines and distances, including road races, track, and both indoor and outdoor competition.
“I’ve been running for a really long time—different race distances, road races, track races, indoor and outdoor track,” Middletown native McCarey said. “This was actually the first 5K I ever ran as a kid, so I pretty much come back every year.”
That early connection in Middletown has carried into adulthood, where the race has become both a personal benchmark and an annual tradition.
He is no stranger to the front of the pack, having won last year’s 28th Annual Ruthie 5K with a time of 16:51.4. This year, he returned even sharper. Running at a 5:21 pace, McCarey improved on his previous mark, crossing the line in 16:37 — shaving off 14 seconds and once again leaving his mark on a race that is deeply rooted in the Middletown community.
Runner Shares What the Ruthie 5K Means to Them
While McCarey’s performance highlighted the competitive side of the race, the Ruthie 5K goes beyond just celebrating the winner. It brings stories, reasons, and personal goals for members in the community. Middletown High School teacher Christina Rau spoke about what the race meant to her and her connection to its history.
“I actually used to coach track at the middle schools in Middletown, so I know George, whose wife was Ruthie—for whom the race is named, the Ruthie Dino-Marshall 5K,” Rau said. “So it’s just nice being back and seeing him and running for her and him.”
While runners such as McCarey and Rau highlight the personal meaning behind the race, the event doesn’t exist without an organizer behind the scenes who ensures everything runs smoothly to keep the tradition alive.
Leading a Community Tradition
While runners such as McCarey and Rau highlighted the personal meaning behind the race, the event would not be possible without the work taking place behind the scenes.
For YMCA Health and Wellness Director Diana Welch, ensuring the Ruthie 5K’s continued success is about more than organizing a race—it’s about preserving a tradition that brings the Middletown community together.
This year’s event saw its highest participation numbers in recent years, and Welch wasn’t just directing the race—she was running in it as well.
“I didn’t get to do it last year, and I’ve done it for many years,” Welch said. “So I decided this year that even if I was Race Director, I still was going to run it.”
While only one runner crossed the finish line first, the true success of the Ruthie 5K was the community it brought together. More than 450 participants, volunteers, and organizers came together to celebrate fitness, tradition, and the life of Ruthie Dino-Marshall. Twenty-nine years later, her legacy continues to motivate and unite Middletown.
Beyond the race itself, all proceeds benefit the Middletown School District’s Ruthie Dino-Marshall Memorial Fund and the YMCA’s Strong Kids Campaign, helping support local children and families for years to come.
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