Runners Of All Ages — Nearly 550 Of Them — Compete In Annual 5K Run

By Andy Hutchison

Whether they were 7 years old, 9 years old ... 79 years old — or anywhere in between — running enthusiasts from the area laced up their treads, came together to share a common interest and participated in the 5K run at the Third Annual Newtown Road Race last Saturday morning.

The 3.1-mile course started and finished at Dickinson Park and 542 men, women, boys, and girls crossed the finish line on a reasonably cool, yet humid and damp, morning. Prior to the race, held in memory of former Bee Sports Editor Kim Harmon who passed away in December, Reed Middle School sixth-grader Megan Weber sang the national anthem before running in the race and Victor Matthews played the bagpipes during the ceremonial runners’ walk from the registration area to the starting point. In addition to the 3.1-mile course, which took runners down a dirt road in the park and through neighborhoods around the park, a Kid’s Fun Run was held. The event benefits Newtown Youth & Family Services.

Matt Cullen, 27, of Bronxville, N.Y., won the 5K race in a time of 16:35; he was the first to hear a supportive applause from the fans who awaited the finishers alongside the finish area for the second straight year.

“It was really humid, but it was nice and cool at the start with a light drizzle — perfect running conditions,” Cullen said.

David Meyer, 17, of Sandy Hook, was runner-up in 17:08 and took top honors in the male 10–19-year-old age category. The top female finisher was Sara Belles, 27, of Brookfield, who was 18th overall in a time of 19:04. The top town female finisher was Sandy Hook’s Laura Nowaki, 43, who crossed the finish in 20:52, good for 43rd overall and first in the female 40–49-year-old age category.

“It’s a nice course. It has gradual, rolling hills which is nice. ... I especially like the dirt road,” Belles said. “It’s just a little different.”

Dawn Riebeling, 23, of New Milford, who finished third in the female 20–29-year-old age category in a time of 22:36, grew up in Newtown and has bicycled on the roads and through the park where the course unfolds. “It took a little bit longer,” she said light-heartedly of running the course instead of pedaling it.

Joe Kearney, 52, of Newtown, has run the race twice and said the humidity was most noticeable this year toward the end. “It sneaks up on you in the last mile,” Kearney said.

Humidity or no humidity, and regardless of how the participants fared, the race seemed to be a win-win experience for everyone involved.

“It’s a great thing for the community to support and it’s good to see so many people come out today,” Kearney said.

In addition to coming from Newtown and surrounding towns, runners made the trip from communities in Massachusetts, New York, even as far away as Colorado.

“People from everywhere come to Newtown to run this,” said Katelyn Kean who ran the course with her friend Lexi Black. The girls are freshmen at Newtown High School this year. “It was challenging, but fun,” Black said.

Dr Joel Segalman, 45, of Newtown Foot Care Group, is a staff doctor for the Boston Marathon who ran the Newtown race on Saturday. “I have a lot of fun being around runners. It was a nice run,” he said.

“It’s a great course because it’s flat. That way everyone can run it,” said Bob Eliott, who ran with his children Sean, 13, and Tommy, 10.

Bob Davidson, 79, of Collinsville, was second in the male 70–79-year-old age group. Among the other age group winners and top finishers: Camden Fowler, 9, took first in the male 9-and-under grouping with a time of 29:02 and Susan Chouinard, 62, won the female 60–69 grouping in a time of 30:35.

The youngest 5K finisher was 7-year-old Adelaide Meier of Newtown, who was second in the female 9-and-under age category with a time of 28:55. She ran the course with her sister, Madeline, 9, who was third in their category (29:45). Molly Begg, 9, who was first in her age group (26:13) ran the race with her sister Erin, 14 (second in the female 10–19 age category in a time of 22:04). They represented only part of the Newtown-based family to participate. Their sibling, Billy, and parents Leah (second in the female 30–39 grouping in a time of 22:22) and Bill also ran on Saturday.

“It’s such a great course. It’s well organized,” said Bill Begg, alluding to the efforts of race director Steve Meeker and others who made the event possible.

Mark Gerace, 37, of Newtown, who runs (as in he coordinates) the annual Rooster Run, decided to literally run in this race and commended the organizers for the quality of the event.

“I love being able to run,” said Gerace, a teacher, who finished 36th in a time of 20:21. “My favorite thing is seeing all of the kids out there.”

Newtown Bee Associate Editor John Voket, who also serves as public affairs coordinator at Star 99.9 FM, the official radio sponsor of the race, served as emcee of the event. The Kid’s Fun Run was sponsored by Dental Associates.