Despite grey skies threatening rain, the waterworks stayed away for the second annual Similkameen 5K Fun Run on May 3 in Keremeos.

This year, registration for the event was raising funds for the Lower Similkameen Community Services Society's Neighbour-to-Neighbour fund, which funds a variety of programs, including children and youth recreation activity camps, the community Christmas market and the seasonal warming and cooling space. 

Over 60 participants showed up at Memorial Park this year to participate, going through a warm-up before heading down along the KVR trail and the Similkameen River dyke. 

Like last year, while older kids joined the main fun run/walk, there was a toddler dash with a half-dozen participants in the middle of Memorial Park. 

Also returning was local Stephen Mantle, who finished first again in just under 24 minutes. Mantle had debated about running down to the park before deciding he had too much to bring with him this time around.

"I run in the Interior Running Association, I tried to do as many of those as I can," said Mantle. "I like it, I hope we keep doing it every year."

The event is a collaboration between the Similkameen Country Development Association, the Similkameen Trails Society and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen's recreation department. 

It also was supported by a number of other sponsors and supporters, including the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen's Neighbourhood Small Grant program, the Peach City Runners and Flattiles, who donated all of the medals handed out to finishers.