Athletic events are competitive by nature, but the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary’s Race For Catherine, held virtually and live the weekend of June 18-20, was all about kindness and nature.

This 5K for Kindness included 272 runners/walkers from 24 states, many of whom participated at Fairfield Hills on June 20; all proceeds support the sanctuary and its mission of compassion in memory of Catherine Violet Hubbard.

The sanctuary pays tribute to the life of Catherine Violet Hubbard, a victim of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. Located in Fairfield Hills, the sanctuary will be a safe haven and place of healing that offers companion animal adoption, farm animal refuge, wildlife rehabilitation and release, and on-site educational workshops.

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary strives to enrich the lives of all beings by promoting compassion and acceptance. “By honoring the bond between animals, humans and the environment, we’re creating a kinder and gentler world for all,” according to the mission statement at cvhfoundation.org.

"The sanctuary's inaugural Race for Catherine, our first 5k for Kindness, exceeded my every expectation. To see a community coming together here in Newtown and from across 24 states was a reminder of the values on which the sanctuary was created: compassion, acceptance and determination. All proceeds will support on-going free community programs and initiatives that help animals, humans, and the environment. We are beyond thankful for all the support from so many," said Executive Director of the CVH Animal Sanctuary Jenny Hubbard.

Dillon Bell was the first live-race finisher, completing the course in a time of 17:23, and clocking an average mile time of 5:36. Philp Tisi was next in 19:26. The rest of the top ten male in-person results are as follows: Steven Block finished in 20:02, Andrew Arena came across the finish line in 21:51, Robert Hughes in 22:08, Evan Chaudhary in 23:26, Sebastian Frisch in 23:38, Miguel Guiterrez in 24:26, Isaac St. Georges in 25:14, and Joe Conlin in 25:34.

Molly Gallagher was the top women’s finisher in the live race, crossing the line in 22:47. Rounding out the top ten women in the live race, Cynthia Degirolamo finished in 24:42, Holly Walczak finished in 27:31, Samantha Hatcher in 28:01, Christy Miller in 28:50, Jackie Donnelly in 29:04, Jennifer Stites in 29:48, Francesca Buccieri in 30:56, Kostantina Livesay in 31:24, and Carole Casia in 31:46.

The top time among remote male racers went to Ryan Polistena who clocked in at 24:31. An anonymous runner who logged a time of 25:51 and Matt Parnell, with a time of 28:42 also finished his course in under 30 minutes. Among remote female runners, seven finished in under 30 minutes. Adrienne Holmes, representing BLUE Buffs in Flight, clocked in with best remote time at 24:12. Danielle Rochester finished in 25:18, Lindsey Waters completed her course 28:04, and Lynn Schuster was done in 28:32; a trio of anonymous runners also cracked the 30-minute mark.

Female Division Winners

12 and under: in person, Ella Schuster, 37:31; remote, Abigail Lye, 39:26.

13-18: in person, Samantha Hatcher, 28:01; remote, Catherine Sullivan, 47:35.

19-29: in person, Kaitlyn Schneider, 39:47; remote, Lindsey Waters, 28:04.

30-39: in person, Jackie Donnelly, 20:04; remote, Kerrie Canavan of BLUE Buffs in Flight, 33:53.

40-49: in person, Cherie Sheridan, 33:02; remote, Adrienne Holmes of BLUE Buffs in Flight, 24:12.

50-59: in person, Cynthia Degirolamo, 24:42; remote, Lynn Schuster, 28:32.

60-69: in person, Carole Cascia, 31:46; remote Jenette Holloway 34:40.

70-79: in person, Theresa Ritchie, 1:05.14, followed by Donna Tomasko, 1:05:17; no remote results.

Male Division Winners

12 and under: in person, Isaac St. Georges, 25:14; remote, Jacob Stephens, 1:21:36.

13-18: in person, Andrew Arena 21:51; no remote results.

19-29: in person, Sebastian Frisch, 23:38; remote, Ryan Polistena, 24:31.

30-39: in person, Philip Tisi, 19:26; remote, Patrick Jennings of BLUE Buffs in Flight, 34:47.

40-49: in person, Robert Hughes, 22:08; remote, anonymous runner, 26:51.

50-59: in person, Stephen Cohen, 27:27; remote, Matt Parnell, 28:42.

60-69: in person, Pete Paoli, 32:44; remote, Dominick Corsi, 1:12:38.

70-79: in person, Bruce Goulart, 27:17; remote, John A Kudrick, 33:23.

Site work on the sanctuary is underway as funds are raised to continue the project. In the meantime, the sanctuary is elevating kindness for animals, humans, and the environment through pet adoption and rescue collaboration events, free community workshops, pollinator protection, virtual and in-person education, and programs to help senior citizens keep and care for their pets. The sanctuary land is open to the public from dawn until dusk, and visitors are welcome.

To learn more, visit the website.

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