Port Orange family holds 5K in memory of father

Over 100 people helped raise money for St. Jude’s Hospital and The American Heart Association at the Bub Run 5K at City Center.

By Zach Fedewa
| 5:10 p.m. February 4, 2019

Michelle Silvia, Marcy Downey, Amanda Shaw, Mary Jo Shaw, Courtney Dunham, and Shannon Faller are the volunteers for the Bub Run 5K at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Jillian Traux, Vienna Faller, Jake Baron, and Colin Platt are eager to start the Bub Run at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Jillian Traux leads the race, and finishes first in the female category. She is trailed by Vienna Faller and Jake Baron at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Runners from Volusia County support the Bub Run at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Benjamin Melendez finishes the Bub Run in first place (19:12) for the second year in a row at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Jillian Traux, 11, finishes the Bub Run as the first female (24:41) at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Christa Quinn and Shannon Faller take a selfie after the Bub Run at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Jake, Tara, and Jadyn Baron pose after their successful completion of the Bub Run at City Center in Port Orange on Saturday, Feb. 2. Photo by Zach Fedewa

Angela Frater, Melissa Colon-Wentworth, Danny Wentworth, Ed Hyland, Michael Ritten, Angie Ritten, Pam Rocca, Ann Cunningham, Laura LeCras, Susan Phipps, Carol Bartolozzi, Debbie Stewart, Robyn Bartkiewicz, and Brenda Brock.

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Seven years ago, about 50 people showed up to commemorate Charles "Bub" Bleakley by running the Bub Run 5K in Port Orange, recalled Bleakley's daughter, Shannon Faller. This year, the race drew in 169 people from throughout the county to City Center.

"It’s a blessing that so many people support us," Faller said. "It’s a nice tribute to my dad, and we just feel so strongly about giving back to the community."

Bleakley fought heart disease for over 30 years, and endured three open heart surgeries as well as an aortic heart valve replacement, before he died on March 5, 2012. He was an avid all-terrain vehicle rider who loved gardening, carpentry, inventing and swimming in the pool with his four grandchildren, the race website states.

“We felt like when my dad passed away, we needed to do something to commemorate him because he was such an influential person," Faller said. "We just decided to start a 5k, and didn't know what to expect."

All of the race proceeds directly benefit St. Jude’s Hospital and The American Heart Association. The 5K has gained sponsors including Rue and Ziffra, Sonny’s BBQ, The Home Depot, and the Port Orange Dance Studio.

“We are choosing to give back to St. Jude’s because my dad loved children so much,” Faller said.

Putting on a 5K has also influenced Faller's own daily life. She was inspired to become a runner, and has since ran two New York City marathons in her father’s memory. Commemorating this 5K in his father’s name will continue to spread his legacy and love to all that participate.