Traffic nightmare due to road and lane closures near eventful night in downtown Fort MyersFEMA gives Lee County another deadline extension for the flood insurance discount
(Credit: WINK News) Honoring Southwest Florida veterans on Veterans Day one step at a time. Runners and walkers of all ages took part in the Midpoint Madness 5k in Lee County on Thursday. Those participating said they wanted to make sure veterans knew they were supported. 530 racers took off across the Midpoint Bridge to show their support to veterans. “I am a veteran. Yeah, from 1966 to 69, the Vietnam era, but I was in Korea,” said John Allen, who ran the race for his fifth year in a row. He said the night race makes him feel like he’s with family. “It’s just beautiful out there. There’s no lights and just the glow of all the people running, you know, and chatting and whatnot.” Fellow runner John Davidson agrees. “You hit it that hit the crest of the bridge, and you went back and there’s no cars going anywhere. It’s pretty cool looking.” The Midpoint Madness 5k came back this year after going virtual during the pandemic. Joey Bellanger, who works with the Fort Myers YMCA which organizes the event, said, “we didn’t get to have the event last year due to COVID. So a lot of people are excited that we’re back here in person.” One of those people is Kelly Moorman, “I like being in person much more than virtual races.” Families were more than happy to show their thanks to all veterans, and for Deborah Ashby it meant supporting the veterans in her family. “My husband spent 34 years in the military so just that alone is huge. And my son being in the military now and that our granddaughter can come here and experience that just so she knows the meaning behind the whole thing.” Proceeds from the race will go toward helping support families in our communities. Last year the YMCA served more than 3,000 kids.