Event Name: Ice Cream 5K
Location: Hollywood, Florida
When we showed up to shoot the 2025 Ice Cream 5K at TY Park in Hollywood, Florida, honestly? We weren't prepared for the sheer joy we'd witness that Sunday morning in July. From the colorful ice cream-shaped medals hanging at the finish line to the ear-to-ear grins of runners young and old, this event proved that sometimes the best races aren't about personal records – they're about pure, unadulterated fun.
The custom ice cream cone-shaped medals immediately caught our eye - these weren't your typical race medals. Designed like actual ice cream cones with colorful scoops and sprinkles in bright pinks, blues, and yellows, they perfectly captured the playful spirit of this unique 5K in Broward County.
The Competitive Spirit Lives Strong
Don't think for a second that the ice cream theme made this any less competitive. We watched serious runners pushing hard through TY Park's scenic loop course, displaying the form and focus you'd see at any legitimate 5K in South Florida.
The winner, Didier Lugo (#137), absolutely dominated the field with an incredible time of 18:32. At 33 years old, he showed that competitive fire that separates elite runners from the pack. Right behind him was 14-year-old Miguel Casiano Jr (#100) finishing in 18:44 – seriously, this kid's got some serious speed and a bright running future ahead of him.
We captured some incredible competitive moments throughout the race. Michael Semidey (#112) finished third overall with a solid 19:59, wearing his marathon shirt and orange sunglasses that showed he brought his A-game to this sweet event. The 33-year-old's determination was evident in every stride as he powered through the Hollywood, Florida heat. Peter Scher (#106) also showed incredible form during the race, eventually finishing 12th overall in 24:35.
Women Leading by Example
The female competition was equally impressive. Linda Perez (#55) finished as the first woman and 11th overall with an outstanding time of 24:27, celebrating with both arms raised in victory while wearing those eye-catching tropical print shorts. Her performance proved that competitive spirit and fun can go hand in hand perfectly at this Broward County race.
Samantha Argas (#73) showed us what satisfaction looks like, celebrating with peace signs in her bright pink shirt. At 31, she finished 18th overall in 25:47 with a smile that captured exactly why this event was so special – it wasn't just about the time, it was about the experience.
Celebrating Every Victory
Here's what we love about photographing community 5Ks – every runner has their own story, their own reason for being there. We captured inspiring moments throughout the race as runners pushed themselves toward their sweet reward, each celebrating in their own unique way. From triumphant arms raised in victory to determined strides pushing through the final stretch, these moments showcased the pure joy and determination that defined the day.
We also caught Rhonda Hastings (#17) throwing her arms up in celebration mid-run, wearing an "Ice Cream Crew" shirt that perfectly captured the event's spirit. At 59 years old, she finished 109th in 43:32 and showed that enthusiasm has no expiration date. Her energy was contagious – other runners were actually cheering for her as she passed by.
Sharon Day (#135) proved that determination has no expiration date. At 75 years old, she finished 107th in 42:36, showing incredible spirit in her red ice cream shirt and pink compression socks. Watching her cross the finish line brought tears to our eyes – she embodied everything this event represented.
We captured beautiful moments throughout the race, including Jessica Taylor (#84) and Karen Dansker (#82) running together in matching black outfits, showing that sometimes the best part of a race is sharing it with a friend. Both 26 years old, they finished together in 51:18, proving that the buddy system works perfectly for both running and enjoying frozen treats.
Pushing Through with Style
Some of the most inspiring moments came from watching runners push through challenges while maintaining their competitive edge. Barry Derilus (#144) demonstrated incredible form and focus throughout the course, showing the determination you'd see at any major race. The 41-year-old finished 43rd in 30:55, proving that the beauty of this event was how it welcomed everyone – from dedicated athletes chasing times to families running for frozen treats.
Erica Vaughn (#109) showed us that joy and athleticism go hand in hand perfectly. The 31-year-old finished 46th in 31:16, her stride full of both determination and happiness as her blonde hair flowed behind her. Her grace under pressure was incredible to capture.
Leonardo Montbrun (#145) and his 8-year-old son Lucian (#147) created another heartwarming racing moment, with Leonardo finishing 27th in 27:01 and young Lucian finishing 26th in 26:58, actually beating his dad by three seconds! Their mid-race celebration with peace signs showed the pure joy of running together as a family.
The Estepa family - Juan Diego (#66), Rebeca Chamorro (#65), and their 8-year-old son Diego (#67) - ran the entire race together, finishing within seconds of each other in 48:12, 48:13, and 48:14 respectively. Watching families tackle this challenge as a unit perfectly captured the inclusive spirit of the event. Throughout the course, we saw runners of all abilities pushing themselves, each chasing their own personal victory.
The multi-generational aspect really made this South Florida event special. We caught families like the Zaedows celebrating together, with young Arthur (#21) finishing 4th overall in 20:36, his mother Ulrike (#20) placing 13th in 25:08, and Gloria (#22) finishing in 55:27. What makes their story even more remarkable is that this German family was on a one-month vacation in the United States and loved running so much that the Ice Cream 5K was their second race during their trip. These family moments remind us why community races in Broward County are so important – they bring generations together in pursuit of shared goals and create memories that transcend borders.
We caught Monica Salazar (#104) and Karla Munoz (#103) both beaming in their matching red shirts on the podium. Monica, 50, finished 122nd in 45:48 while Karla, 22, finished 105th in 42:14 – different generations, same joy, same ice cream dreams.
Mason Gomes (#192) created a touching family moment with his mother. The 13-year-old finished 38th in 29:08. Their post-race celebration with medals was pure joy.
Another heartwarming family celebration captured the spirit of the event, with runners proudly displaying their ice cream cone medals after crossing the finish line.
We also captured some fantastic duo celebrations throughout the day. Andres Ocampo (#24) and Melissa Hartmann de Barros (#25) showed off their medals, proving that the buddy system works just as well for running as it does for enjoying frozen treats. Andres finished 62nd in 35:02 while Melissa finished 124th in 46:03.
The Perfect Course
The course through TY Park provided ideal conditions for this sweet celebration. The tree-lined paths offered natural shade from the Florida heat, smooth pavement that welcomed runners of all experience levels, and enough variety to keep things interesting without being intimidating. South Floridians love it because it's a great venue for walking, running or skating on a shady path around a lake lined with oaks.
We've shot races at venues across South Florida, but TY Park's natural beauty combined with the professional organization made this event truly special. The two-mile loop course kept spectators engaged and gave us multiple opportunities to capture each runner's journey through Hollywood, Florida's favorite park.
The Sweetest Reward
And then came the moment everyone had been running toward – the ice cream station. We've never seen a post-race refreshment area generate this much excitement. The volunteer team was incredible, working tirelessly to serve every flavor imaginable while runners lined up with their medals still around their necks, finally ready to claim their delicious prize.
The variety was impressive – they had every flavor and topping you could imagine, accommodating different dietary needs while ensuring everyone got their perfect post-run treat. Watching families share sundaes while still wearing their race bibs created some of our favorite candid shots of the day.
The close-up shots of premium ice cream being carefully scooped showed the attention to detail that made this reward so special. You could see the anticipation on runners' faces as they watched their perfect sundae being created – it was like Christmas morning all over again.
Photography Insights from the Field
From a photographer's perspective, events like this present unique opportunities. The genuine emotions are easier to capture because people aren't focused solely on times or performance anxiety – they're just having fun. We found ourselves shooting more candid moments and fewer posed victory shots, which honestly resulted in more authentic and memorable images.
The lighting conditions at TY Park worked in our favor too. The morning start time provided that golden hour quality that makes every runner look their best, while the tree coverage offered natural diffusion for portrait-style shots of medal presentations and ice cream enjoyment.
We captured over 200 action shots that day, each telling a different story of triumph, determination, and pure joy. From the elite runners chasing personal records to families creating memories together, every image showcased why community races like this matter so much in South Florida.
Building Community One Scoop at a Time
What impressed us most wasn't just the individual achievements, but how this event brought the South Florida running community together. We saw runners who clearly knew each other from other Broward County races, families making this their introduction to organized running, and everything in between. Ethan Rodriguez (#194) and Moises Rodriguez (#195) perfectly exemplified this community spirit - despite finishing nearly 26 minutes apart, they celebrated together with equal enthusiasm, showing that at the Ice Cream 5K, every finish is a victory worth celebrating.
The post-race atmosphere extended well beyond the ice cream station. People were staying, socializing, sharing stories about their runs and planning future events together. That's the mark of a successful community race – when people don't want to leave.
Victory Sports Management did an incredible job organizing this event at TY Park Hollywood. The chip timing was accurate, the course was well-marked, and the volunteers were enthusiastic and helpful throughout. You could tell this wasn't their first rodeo – every detail was perfectly executed for this Hollywood Florida race.
Looking Forward to More Sweet Races
Based on what we witnessed, ice cream-themed 5K events are something really special. They remove barriers that sometimes intimidate new runners while still providing a legitimate race experience for serious athletes. The combination of professional organization, beautiful venue, and that sweet motivation creates an event that appeals to everyone in Broward County and beyond.
We've shot everything from major marathons to local fun runs throughout South Florida, and events like this remind us why we love sports photography. It's not always about capturing the fastest finish or the most dramatic moment – sometimes it's about documenting pure joy and community spirit.
The 2025 Ice Cream 5K at TY Park delivered exactly what it promised – a sweet experience that left everyone smiling. With 162 finishers ranging in age from 1 to 75 years old, this event proved that running truly is for everyone. From Didier Lugo's blazing 18:32 to Robin White's determined 57:52 finish, every single participant created their own victory story.
For anyone considering their first 5K in Hollywood Florida or looking to inject some fun back into their running routine, ice cream-themed races like this one prove that fitness doesn't have to be serious to be meaningful. Sometimes the best reason to run 3.1 miles through TY Park is simply the promise of a perfectly scooped reward waiting at the finish line.
And honestly, in a world that can feel pretty heavy sometimes, that's exactly the kind of event we need more of. The 2025 Ice Cream 5K reminded us all that sometimes the sweetest victories are the ones that bring people together, one scoop at a time.
Find the complete set of race results at Victory Sports Management.
