While they may have had different reasons for running, all those who took part in Saturday’s Boulder Dash 5K seemed to have fun.

“Running through the quarry is beautiful and the hills are a challenge, especially for someone who runs on a treadmill at home,” said Ashley Dellinger, who also had a booth to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“I’ve got a lot of support here today.”

The second annual run was organized by the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.

Jason Mock with the chamber said about 1,400 participated in what was billed as “Forsyth’s largest office party.”

“It was a great turnout and everything went real well,” he said. “After those storms on Friday [night], we were a little worried, but we woke up on Saturday and saw beautiful weather.

Besides the run, the event featured about 23 vendor booths and the Lafarge Spring Fling, with a number of family-friendly activities.

Mock said the total money raised is still being tabulated, but noted that all proceeds will go to the Forsyth County Parks Foundation for “improvements at parks that will contribute to healthier lifestyles.”

“All in all, everyone enjoyed it,” he said. "All the runners were happy and all the vendors were happy with the way things turned out."

Tina Tristani ran the course, which began at Northside Hospital-Forsyth and continued through the Lafarge rock quarry, with about 40 others in memory of her late husband, Tony, who died after a battle with cancer.

Tristani said her husband enjoyed running and last year’s Boulder Dash was his final race.

“This was the last physical thing he was able to do,” Tina Tristani said. “He would be so proud right now.”

The Friends of Tony, an organization formed in his honor, decided to participate in the race to remember him.

John DeRucki said his reasons for running were less somber.

He said he placed a bet with his children and some of his employees that if they finished after him they would have to work on a Saturday.

If they beat him, however, he would spend a Saturday volunteering.

After the race results, there will be some Saturday work and volunteering.

“I thought it was a blast,” DeRucki said.


Staff Writer Alyssa LaRenzie contributed to this report.