Feature Article | By Jocklyn Mundy | Professional Photo by Michael Kleinfelt, Windermere Photography
Celebrating community, connection, and the beauty of Windermere
Park and Rec Team; From Left to Right – Chair: Dena O’Malley, Jeanne Marie Olache, Secretary: Tracy McLaughlin, Kelly Duell, Christine Samek-Yonge, Jennifer Widga-Kirby, and Co-Chair: Sue Ann Reichard. Not Pictured: Stephen Dimino
A Windermere Tradition: Run Among the Lakes
The 24th Annual Run Among the Lakes arrived this Centennial year with the kind of neighborly energy that defines Windermere itself. Framed by the town’s 100th birthday, the event became far more than a race; it was a moving celebration of legacy and community spirit. With a sold-out field of 1,250 runners and 75 additional volunteers spread across the course, the morning reflected everything the town stands for: history, heart, and connection.
A Course Carved in Character
Threaded between Butler, Down, and Bessie, the course showcased Windermere at its most authentic. Sandy roads shifted underfoot, while oaks arched overhead, filtering sunbeams. This wasn’t an urban sprint; it was a living postcard of old Florida: beautiful, and unmistakably Windermere.
The Heart Behind the Race: Parks & Recreation
Months before the first runner took off, a small group of volunteers was hard at work. The Parks & Recreation Committee invested countless hours in planning, coordinating, and refining every detail, from mapping routes and securing permits to organizing vendors, safety logistics, and sponsorships. Their loving efforts were on every aspect of the morning, and their dedication transformed months of preparation into a seamless event.
In their third year of leadership, Chair Dena O'Malley and Vice Chair Sue Ann Reichard are the heartbeat and enthusiasm of the race. Together with their fellow committee members, Secretary Tracy McLaughlin, Jill Ata, Stephen Dimino, Jeanne Marie Olache, Christine Samek-Yonge, Kelly Duell, and Jen Widga-Kirby, along with Town Council Liaison Mandy David, they represent the very best of Windermere: neighbors who give their time and energy not for recognition, but out of love for our town.
Beyond the Run Among the Lakes, the Parks & Recreation Committee plays a vital role in shaping daily life in Windermere. Their responsibilities extend far beyond race day, overseeing the care and maintenance of the town’s parks, beaches, walking trails, and streetscapes; operating and enhancing recreational spaces; and organizing a calendar of beloved community events. From PetFest and the Halloween Hayride & Costume Parade to the Run Among the Lakes and seasonal activities for residents of all ages, their work ensures that Windermere’s natural beauty and small-town charm are preserved, celebrated, and shared.
Vice Chair Sue Ann Reichard shares, "Every dollar raised by the event is returned directly to the community, funding playground improvements, shade structures, trail maintenance, and beautification projects throughout town." The committee’s work is tangible: you can swing on it, walk beneath it, or rest on it at sunset. It’s a legacy of care that defines what public service in Windermere truly means.
A Morning of Community
From the very first stride, the course pulsed with energy. Residents lined the streets, waving signs and ringing cowbells that the Parks & Recreation team had delivered to homes along the route in the days leading up to the race, encouraging neighbors to cheer on participants as they passed.
Parents raved about the Kids Run; free, simple, and overflowing with joy. Watching little legs race under the same arch to the same cheers captured what makes this event so special: it’s not just competition, it’s connection.
When the race ended, the park filled with the laughter of families comparing run times and sharing post-run snacks. The awards ceremony reflected the same warmth: overall winners and masters first, followed by age-group awards in ten-year brackets. Every participant received a custom shirt and a commemorative medal, small tokens that have become keepsakes, proudly displayed on shelves all over town. Through the years, the race shirts have become more than souvenirs; they’re snapshots of Windermere’s timeless spirit, each bearing artwork that reflects the town’s beauty and heart. The evolving designs have formed a subtle tradition, uniquely local, instantly familiar, and treasured as part of the race’s story.
Centennial Tributes
In the continued celebration of Windermere’s 100th Anniversary, this year’s race featured a Centennial Torch Relay, a symbolic tribute to a century of Windermere spirit. The torch passed from hand to hand along the route, carried by community leaders and some of the town’s most dedicated residents, including Chief David Ogden, Town Manager Robert Smith, Donna Steele, Frank & Ellie Chase, Council Member Tony Davit, Don & Debi Lake, Council Member Mandy David, Jerry Fay & Doug Fay, Council Member Tom Stroup, and John Nabers & Council Member Andy Williams, each representing the enduring light of service and community that continues to guide Windermere forward.
Adding a poignant moment to the Centennial celebration, longtime residents Eric (90) and Jeanne (85) Graham placed the final flags into the Centennial Banner, a moving gesture that symbolizes the generations that have built, shaped, and continue to sustain Windermere.
Community Sponsors: Fueling the Momentum
The continued success of the Run Among the Lakes is also thanks to its sponsors, whose generosity helps keep Windermere’s parks vibrant and its traditions thriving. Sponsorship participation has grown by 47 percent in the past two years, reflecting the business community’s shared commitment to giving back.
This year’s event was made possible through the generous support of 50 of Central Florida’s most respected businesses, along with presenting sponsors: Orlando Health, Jewett Orthopedic Institute, Chick-fil-A (Kirkman & Conroy Road), and Windermere Preparatory School. Together, they played a vital role in ensuring the race’s success, fueling not only the event itself but also the park enhancements and community improvements that will follow. In true hometown fashion, the Medal Sponsor, Windermere Brewing Company, brought its signature local pride to the finish line.
Legacy in Motion
Over more than two decades, the Run Among the Lakes has evolved into something greater than miles and medals; it has become a living reflection of Windermere itself. For newcomers, it’s an introduction; for longtime residents, a reunion; and for everyone, a celebration of what makes this small town so special.
Whether you’re running the 10K, walking the 5K, cheering from the curb, or handing out water cups at the halfway mark, the Run Among the Lakes offers something rare: a shared moment of motion and meaning. Framed within the Centennial lens, this year’s race followed the same roads generations have known, drawing participants from near and far, and raising funds that carry forward a spirit of remembrance and renewal.
As the cones were gathered and the streets reopened, the morning’s warmth lingered, a quiet satisfaction shared by runners, volunteers, and neighbors alike. It was a testament to the Parks & Recreation Committee’s months of preparation, the sponsors’ generosity, and the community’s enduring spirit that continues to bring people together, year after year.
In the end, the Run Among the Lakes endures because Windermere endures, a town that still believes in showing up, cheering each other on, and greeting the sunrise side by side.
