Category: Race results

The fourth annual Santa Made Me Do It took place on Dec 2^nd , 2017 in Bethlehem, CT.  The day’s events started with a spirited Kids race, followed by the 5K run and 2 mile walk. Runners took off under clear skies and temperatures in the high twenties; great running weather.

The first three male finishers were Piotr Kostyk in 17:42, Derek Destefano in 18:06, and Zoltan Rigo in 19:27. The top three female finishers were Jennifer Manware in 23:13, Sherry Schwarm in 23:31, and Alicia Bonin in 24:01; All fast times on a challenging course.

After the race, runners and their families stayed for the Christmastown festival and enjoyed great food, crafts, hayrides, and seasonal music.

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The fifth annual Turkey Can Can took place on Saturday, November 18^th, with a new course and a new venue. Ekonk Hill Tukey Farm, the presenting sponsor of the race, also hosted it this year on their 275 acre farm in rural Sterling. The cross country course went over farm roads, and through pastures and fields, and even had a dozen cows who came over to check out the runners.

The race is being held in support of Project Pin, the Plainfield/Sterling Food Pantry, and this year’s runners donated piles of much needed food as well as cash.

The first runner to complete the challenging course was high school runner Matthew Speight in 18:38. He was followed by 12 year old Jackson Collins and Paul Baldini. The first female finisher was local runner Cindy Ouelette who was third overall and has competed in each of the previous Turkey Can Cans. She was followed by 15 year old Caitlin Randell and Joslyn Richards.

Complete Race Results here

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The 4^th Annual Strides For Scholars 5K Trail Run took place on Saturday, November 12^th at beautiful Bigelow Hollow State Park in Union, CT. A record number of runners and walkers came out to enjoy the perfect fall day and support the Union School Scholarship Foundation. Among those were over 50 members of the 169 Society and over 20 supporters of the Joe Geissler Memorial Scholarship.

The course began on the main park road before entering the trail at the ¾ mile mark. From there it followed the White Blaze Trail to Breakneck Pond and back for two miles, and then finished back on the park road for ¼ mile.

 

The first runner to complete the 5K was Paul Baldini from Stafford Springs in 21:17. He was followed by Elizabeth Mashiak from Middletown in 21:27, who was second overall and the first female finisher. Both impressive times on a challenging trail course. For complete results:

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The fifth annual Benny’s Run took place on Saturday, October 7^th, in East Hampton, CT. Benny’s Run along with the Benny Fund were founded by Holly Nieweem in honor of her brother Benny who tragically took his own life. Benny Nieweem was a much liked and respected local athlete which showed in the number of people who came out to support this annual event. All race proceeds go to help suicide prevention.

Runners and walkers congregated at Sears Park on Lake Pocotopaug where bib pick up and registration took place. They were then bused to the race start at Spellman’s Point Rd. After a few words from Holly, the runners and walkers took off. The course starts with a challenging and hilly first ¾ of a mile, but then is all downhill and fast for the remaining 2+ miles to the finish line.

The first runner to cross the finish line was Matt Billington in a speedy 18:08, followed by Daniel Clesowich from Norwich and Ronald Doskoez from Shirley, NY. The first female finishers were Shantel Nephew and Rachel Vickery, both from East Hampton, and Deana Hutson from Old Saybrook. The race was followed by a spirited kids race and then great food and music.

Next year’s race is being planned for Oct 6^th, 2018  

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The 3^rd Annual Carver 5K Challenge took place on Saturday, September 16^th on the campus of the New Life Church in Wallingford. The slightly rolling course traversed the wooded church property past fog enshrouded trap rock ridges and through the Meriden YMCA camp before returning to the church.

The first male finisher was Tim Milenkevich from Ansonia in a speedy 16:27. He was followed by John Denker from Meriden and Dayne Stewkesbury from Windsor Locks. The first female finisher was Dana Merise from Norwich in 23:24 who was third overall. She was followed by Suzette Redding from Columbia and Marty Paglialunga from Fairfield.

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The 4^th Annual My Sister’s Place 5K took place on Sunday, September 10^th in West Hartford. Once again, the University of Hartford hosted this event where runners and walkers enjoyed a flat and fast course on their beautiful campus. And, as in the past, this event had strong sponsorship support from the business community, in particular presenting sponsor Hartford Toyota who has been the lead sponsor since the race was first run in 2014.

The day’s events began with a spirited Kid’s Run. And then, after a moment of silence for the many victims of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the runners and walkers took off.

The first runner to cross the finish line was Justin Perugini from Plantsville in 18:33. Justin has run this race every year it has been held, and has previously finished 4^th, 3^rd, and 2^nd. This year his goal was to win and he accomplished this by narrowly beating his cousin, Stephan Rodriguez from Kensington, who finished second in 18:44. The overall female finisher was Lauren Theurkauf who came in from New York City to capture the crown in 22:10. Jacqueline Weiss from Glastonbury was second in 22:32.   

In the team competition, the Fastest Team was Team Doosan, whose top three runners; Matt Auger, Sandrine Baun, and Christine Hamilton, finished in 1:10:16. They were followed by Hartford Toyota and Southington Women For Progress. Other team awards were presented to Hartford Toyota for Largest Team, Main Street Movers for Most Playful Team, and Southington Women For Progress for Most Generous Team.

Once again, this race was successful in supporting My Sister’s Place in their important work and plans are now underway for the 2018 event.

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Advocacy Unlimited held their annual 5K race on August 26 at Walnut Hill Park in New Britain. This race is held in memory of Sara Krolikowski, a tireless advocate for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse whose accidental death was felt throughout the community she served. A dozen or so of her family joined runners and walkers to support this great event.

 

As in 2016, Mario Vazquez from New Britain was the winner in 16:45, knocking a minute off of last year’s winning time. Also like 2016, Newington’s Michael Vesci was a close second. Jackie Birge from Unionville was the first female finisher and 6^th overall in 22:03. She was followed by Lori Coviello of Terryville in 24:02.

 

A post race party followed with awards, food and live music  provided by Possm. Next year’s event is now being planned.

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The fifth running of the Hop River 5K/10K took place on Saturday, August 5^th, 2017, in Andover CT. Registration opened at 7:00 AM just as the skies opened up with torrential rain. However, in spite of the downpour and predictions of thunder, lightning, and even a tornado, runners arrived determined to meet the challenge. And when the gun went off at 9:00, 150 of them, ranging in age from 8 to 84 took to the Hop River Rail Trail to run either the 5K or 10K distance. When the final runner crossed the finish line, the rain had stopped, the sun was trying to break through, and everyone had a smile on their face.

The first 5K finisher was Carter Beaulieu from Vestal, NY in 17:43 and the first female finisher was Cara Riley from Berlin, CT in 22:36. In the 10K, Michael Keenan from South Glastonbury won in 39:25 and the first female to cross the finish line was Andover’s own Mary-Alex Zickefoose in 41:32.

The 169 Society was well represented with over 50 members participating. Among them was Kevin Goyen who wore the traditional tutu for completing his 100^th town, and Tom Millerd who completed town number 155. Again, the Andover Food Pantry was a beneficiary of this race and collected much a much needed donation as well as a truck full of food.

Thanks to race sponsors Yankee Restoration and Remodeling, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, DuBois Automotive, The Andrew Ansaldi Company, and Greenhouse Services, LLC. Thanks also to Andover CERTS for volunteering to manage traffic.

Complete results here

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The 2^nd Annual Seeds of Hope took place on Saturday, April 29^th, in summer like conditions. Hosted by the Congregational Church of East Hampton, this race supports the missions of the church, including the Heifer Project and Strong Missions. Taking place on the beautiful Airline Trail, organizers added a 10K Run this year, along with the 5K Run and 2 Mile Walk.

The first male 5K finisher was East Hampton’s Kenneth Landry in 19:07, and Allison Behnke of Higganum was the first female finisher in 22:04. In the 10K, Art Byram from Glastonbury was the first to cross the finish line in 45:11 and Emily Lauter from Weston the first female in 55:17.

 

Participants were bused from the church to the trail-head, and returned to the church after the races for refreshments and awards. All in all, the organizers were happy with the days events. The number of participants grew substantially from year one, and they hope that this trend continues in the years to come.

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The First Annual “Bring on the Heat” 5K took place on Sunday, April 23^rd, on the nicest day for running to date; sunny in the high fifties. Sponsored by the Bethlehem, CT Park and Recreation Department, this race benefited the town Fuel Bank, helping those in need with fuel assistance.

The day started out with a Kid’s Run, with a dozen future Olympians covering the ¼ mile course. Next up was a moving rendition of the National Anthem sung by an 8 year old with a voice like Aretha Franklin’s. Then the main race started, a 5K Run and 5K Walk through the pastoral (if somewhat hilly) countryside of beautiful Bethlehem.

The first person to cross the finish line was local runner Emily Medonis in a time of 22:30. The first male finisher was Ted Crawford, also from Bethlehem. As the overall winners, each received gift certificates for running shoes from Sportmen’s of Litchfield. The second and third place female finishers were Stephanie Therrien from Oakville, CT and 13 year old Stella Oldakowski from Bethlehem. The second and third place male finishers were Tom Brayton and  Bruce Goulart. Robert Waldron, also from Bethlehem, celebrated both his 70^th birthday and coming in first place for the first time in the 70-79 age group.

The awards were followed by a fun raffle. Throughout the day, the action was kept moving by Kareem, a professional comedian and DJ from Blue Boy Comedy. All in all it was a successful first time race and a significant amount was raised for the Fuel Bank in a time of great need.

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