Sports

Competitors Shine In Rooster Run 5K And 10K Races

By Andy Hutchison

Published: Jun 19, 2026 7:00 am

Whether running for fun with family and friends, looking to improve times, or gearing up for another race, participants at the 52nd Annual Rooster Run to benefit Newtown Scholarship Association on June 13 all enjoyed the experience. They took in the scenic Fairfield Hills course, community support, and nice (compared to the high temperatures the day before) weather with temps in the upper 60s and low 70s.

The 5K winner was 25-year-old Justin Halmose with a time of 17:01.19; Trish Hillery, 59, was the top female and 14th overall in 21:48.37. The first to cross the 10K finish line was 35-year-old Jordan Magath in 38:33.42; Brenda McRae, 42, was the top female and second overall, clocking in at 41:27.38.

Halmose, who has won this event in past years, said his goal was to beat the clock, which helped motivate him to finish strong as he gets ready for cross country season at Post University. Halmose, 25, is also a hockey goaltender, a former Newtown High School athlete who put on the net-minding pads while serving in the Marines for the past handful of years.

Hillery's family brought her to the race. Her son, Kieran, and his wife Lindsey and their son Finn, recently moved to Sandy Hook from Rhode Island. Hillery came for her first visit the morning of the race and made it a memorable one.

"I wanted to christen it with a nice race," said Hillery, adding that the course is lovely. "I want to make it a family event next year," said Hillery, saying that she is considering the 10K and that Finn already broke in with participation in the Little Chicks Dash.

The 5K race had 238 finishers and the 10K brought out 101 racers.

"It felt great to go out on a beautiful day and run fast, all while supporting the Newtown community. I used the race to jump-start my training for the 2026 Chicago Marathon in October. This is my first time doing the Rooster Run, although I frequently come to Fairfield Hills to run," said Magath, the 10K winner, 35, who moved to Sandy Hook with his wife Danielle in January of 2025.

For McRae, her personal success was as fulfilling as getting to run the course with friends.

"I had the best time running this race. Although I had never run the race before and definitely felt the heat, I really enjoyed the course and loved getting to run with so many friends from Sandy Hook," said McRae, who bounced back from a spine injury and is coming off the Boston Marathon. "My personal highlight was watching my friend — and fellow Sandy Hooker — Erin Tito complete her first 10K. She ran an incredible race, earning second place in her age group." Tito finished in a time of 56.49.76.

"The crowd support was outstanding throughout the course and helped create a really fun atmosphere from start to finish. It was an awesome event — so well organized — and I look forward to returning next year," McRae added.

In the 5K, top finishers following Halmose were: 2. Cameron Huss (division winner) 17:44.16; 3. Dylan MacLean (division winner) 18:12.17; 4. Joel Anderson 19:36.26; 5. Alex Price 19:39.64; 6. Matthew Rosa (division winner) 19:46.11; 7. Paul Doolan 19:50.10; 8. Camilo Barrera 20:03.17; 9. Ruiqing Shen 20:05.79; and 10. Alex Gardner 20:32.85.

Other 5K division winners (with overall place listed first): 16. Ezekiel Lopes 21:56.89; 24. Carlos Garcia 23:03.94; 26. Cambria Petersen 23:18.01; 27. Brenda McLean 23:35.78; 32. Catherine Kost 23:49.57; 33. Nadia Karnani 23:51.05; 38. Danielle Vigneau 25:01.24; 54. E. Nejdl (first name not available) 26:48.63; 67. Dan Burns 27:20.92; 73. Nancy Linden 27:58.01; 98. Bob Dacey 29:38.41.

Top 10K runners, following Magath and McRae: 3. Aidan Weitekamp 41:45.44; 4. Owen Baillargeon 42:39.35; 5. Alexa Norquist (division winner) 43:32.34; 6. Kaitlyn Mawicke (division winner) 44:22.21; 7. Charlotte Murphy (division winner) 44:43.82; 8. Paul Freitas (division winner) 45:15.62; 9. Thiago Dos Santos (division winner) 45:32.69.

Other 10K division winners: 14. Ray Weitekamp 47:52.54; 19. JB Byrne 49:56.95; 28. Luke Hull 52:12.33; 31. Evelyn Zupan 53:05.37; 40. Renee Rathbun 55:01.82; 56. Diana Derivan 59:43.61; 58. N. Brown (first name not available) 1:00:29.24.

Go here for complete race results.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.

Rooster Run 10K participants, from left, Aidan Weitekamp, Paul Freitas, Brenda McRae, and Alexa Norquist complete a lap during their race. —Bee Photos, Hutchison

Competitors race in the annual Rooster Run at Fairfield Hills on June 13.

A couple of future runners enjoy the ride as James Webb, left, and Erol Verter complete the 5K.

Justin Halmose was first to the finish in the 5K.

Jordan Magath was the fastest to cross the finish in the 10K.

Brenda McRae was the top female and second overall in the 10K race.

Trish Hillery, left, was the top female in the 5K. Also pictured are 10K runners Beth Savinelli (No 268) and Samantha Modzelewski (198).

David Wilkinson completes the 5K course.

Runners take off at the start of the 5K.

Runners take off at the start of the Rooster Run 5K.

Race participants compete in the 5K and 10K runs.

The annual event drew more than 300 runners.

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Competitors Shine In Rooster Run 5K And 10K Races

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