Whether it was the Kids Run, 5K, 10K, or Newtown's first half marathon, the First Annual Newtown Community Running Event had a challenge for all types of runners at Fairfield Hills on August 30.

More than 400 5K, 10K, and half marathon finishers, plus dozens of Kids Run participants helped support the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, honoring Greg Ritzinger, at this event. It was put in by Bruce Goulart along with family and friends, and hosted by Newtown Road Runners.

Newtown's Matthew Liaw, 38, was the top finisher of the half marathon, crossing the finish in a time of 1:20:20.43, followed by Monroe's Jeffrey Auriemma (1:21:02.99). Sandy Hook's Joey Conrod (1:26:00.21) was third and Middlebury's Corrine Schlabach, 37, was the top female and fourth overall in a time of 1:27:39.63,

Rounding out the top ten, Alex Blank was fifth in 1:28:08.70, Paulo Dias sixth in 1:28:23.57, Christian Stockinger seventh in 1:30:22.68, Alyssa Cole eighth in 1:30:55.44, Grayson Milanese ninth in 1:31.21.18, and Brenda McRae tenth in 1:32:21.18.

"It feels great to win the first one in Newtown," said Liaw, who ran his first race in town after moving here two years ago.

Liaw described the hilly course as being pretty tough — something seemingly all of finishers agreed on when considering other races they have done in and out of town.

"There were lots of ups and downs. You just had to keep focused, grinding it out," said Schlabach, adding that she ran the race on a whim as she prepares to participate in the Hartford Marathon this fall.

"Probably the most challenging half marathon I can remember," said Cole, who has run several half marathons.

McRae said the support on the course was tremendous and noted that Best Buddy peer mentors Cece Wasley, Stella Wasley, and Avery Bowen, along with Fit For Life Teacher Megan Goyda were great motivators.

"It was fun to see everyone but it was without a doubt the most brutal course," said McRae, who has done her share of half marathons, in addition to nearly 30 full marathons. "The weather was gorgeous."

With temperatures in the 60s and low 70s with minimal humidity the steep portions of the course were bearable.

"I think the weather was as good as you could have asked for in August," said Auriemma, whose son Zain ran the 5K; the father-son duo broke the previous best times both runners had held.

Competitors came from different parts of Connecticut as well as a variety of other states, but a bulk of the participants were from Newtown/Sandy Hook.

"Growing up running the roads it feels good to rip a race on them," Conrod said.

The top 10K finisher was Brent Zimmer of West Newton, Mass., who was supporting the cause while visiting his aunt and Volunteer Ambulance member Alison Healey. Zimmer, 14, led the field in a time of 44:01.23.

Sandy Hook's Michele Greenspan, 54, a Volunteer Ambulance representative herself, was the top female and placed sixth overall in the 10K in 46:36.39.

The 5K race winner was New Milford's Joel Anderson, 34, who clocked in at 18:47.65. "I'm very happy with that," Anderson said of his result. The top 5K female runner was Newtown's Alyssa Cooksey, 18th overall in 23:52.63.

For complete race results, visit the Fast Track Timing website.