Chelsea to honor late cross country coach with 5K race
· Yahoo Sports
Long after the final bell rang or the last runner crossed the finish line, Frank Captain was still finding ways to inspire those around him.
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This fall, Chelsea will celebrate that enduring legacy the best way it knows how: with a run through the town he loved.
The inaugural Frank Captain Memorial Route 66 5K is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, giving runners an opportunity to honor the longtime Chelsea educator and coach while supporting the Chelsea Public Schools cross-country program.
Hosted on historic Route 66, the event will feature both a 5K and a fun run, with all proceeds benefiting the Green Dragons' cross-country teams, a program Captain built and cherished throughout his career.
Captain dedicated the majority of his professional life to Chelsea Public Schools after arriving in the fall of 1985.
Although he spent brief stints at Quinton, Bartlesville and Cleveland, Chelsea remained his home and life's work.
During his career, Captain served in numerous roles, including elementary physical education teacher, assistant football coach, head football coach, head girls track coach and, ultimately, head coach of the boys and girls cross-country teams.
He also taught high school U.S. History and Advanced Placement U.S. History.
While his resume was extensive, those who knew him say his greatest impact came through the relationships he built.
Captain became known for believing in students before they believed in themselves, encouraging athletes to embrace challenges, celebrate improvement and enjoy the sport of running.
His influence extended well beyond competition, shaping generations of students, athletes, families and fellow educators.
His wife, Madalyn, also made a lasting impact on Chelsea Public Schools, serving the district for 26 years as an elementary teacher and reading specialist.
The memorial race aims to continue Captain's passion for running while giving back to the program he spent years developing.
The event begins with the fun run at 8:15 a.m., followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m. Race-day packet pickup and same-day registration will be available from 7 to 8:10 a.m.
Pre-registration is open through Sept. 25, with entry fees set at $25 for the fun run and $35 for the 5K. Participants who register by Sept. 16 are guaranteed a race T-shirt. Same-day registration costs $30 for the fun run and $40 for the 5K.
Every participant will receive a custom finisher medal and a post-race breakfast. Awards will be presented to the overall male and female champions, while first-, second- and third-place finishers in each age group will receive recognition pins.
Beyond the race itself, organizers encourage participants to spend the day exploring Chelsea during its 91st Annual Jamboree.
Visitors can run along the community's brick-paved Route 66 streets before touring the Chelsea Area Historical Museum, walking beneath the historic Route 66 underpass, visiting the Pryor Creek Bridge — the last remaining unaltered Modified Pratt through Truss bridge in the United States — and seeing Oklahoma's first oil well site, along with the community's historic Sears & Roebuck house that arrived by rail in 1912.