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CRANBURY: Annual fun day draws crowd

By Kaitlyn Kanzler, Special Writer
   CRANBURY – Despite a somewhat soggy start, Cranbury Day attracted residents and visitors from all over New Jersey.
   The morning started off at 7:30, with people registering for the Helene Cody 5K Run and the Fun Run.
   The run is held in remembrance of 16-year-old Cranbury resident Helene Cody, who died in October 2008 from a brain aneurysm.
   ”The Helene Cody 5K Race isn’t so much of an event anymore. It’s become more of an institution,” Mayor David Cook said. “It’s part of the fabric of Cranbury Day. It’s a great way to share a common emotion for running that Helene had.”
   Win and Linda Cody, Helene’s parents, also participated in the race.
   According to Mr. Cody, Helene had planned on organizing a run for her Girl Scout Gold Award Project before she passed away. Boy Scout, Greg Carroll, was also organizing a run and organized the Helene Cody 5K after she died.
   ”Helene loved running so this is a great tribute to her,” Mr. Cody said.
   According to Ms. Cody, the foundation provides scholarships for students who have shown outstanding community service as well as scholarships for students who show leadership and dedication to running.
   At 8:15 a.m., children and some of their parents participated in the one-mile Fun Run, which took the children two laps around Brainerd Drive.
   Cranbury resident, 14-year-old Dario Matias, whose 16-year-old sister, Soraya, was the second girl to cross the finish line, won the race.
   The Helene Cody 5K Run is a 3.1-mile run that started and ended on Brainerd Dr., took the runners through several neighborhood streets.
   ”This is a great chance to get in shape and run with your neighbors,” Board of Education member Mike Ferrante said.
   According to Mr. Ferrante, who was running with his wife and daughter, he was hoping to beat last years’ time of 29:52. He finished the race a minute longer than his previous race time at 28 minutes.
   The top finisher of the run was 17-year-old Conor Donahue from Princeton, who finished the race in 17:16.
   Roselle resident and 9-year colon cancer survivor Cindi House finished the race in 35:03.
   ”It’s a little slower than my last race, but I do this to keep me healthy,” Ms. House said.
   According to Ms. House, it takes a long time to train for a 5K run.
   ”For me it was a long way,” Ms. House said. “When I was diagnosed with colon cancer, I was told I only had a 55 percent chance of living five years.”
   Finishing right behind Ms. House was 85-year-old Jim McFee, who has been running for over 30 years.
   ”I know Mrs. Cody and I like to run for the cause,” Mr. McFee said.
   Several notable residents took part in the run, including Township Committee member Dan Mulligan and James Taylor who participated in the Fun Run with his three-year-old daughter.
   After the race, participants and residents took to the streets visiting the multitude of vendors set up along Main St.
   ”I used to work at the hardware store growing up, so I always got trash duty after Cranbury Day,” Mr. Taylor said. “Now I just get to hand out balloons. I’d much rather do that.”
   Mayor Cook and Mr. Taylor were at the Cranbury Democrats booth handing out balloons to residents preparing for elections, which take place in November.
   ”This is great event where you can see people you don’t see every day,” Mayor Cook said.
   According to Mayor Cook, up to 1,000 people attend Cranbury Day and around 140 vendors were providing their services.
   Several of the attractions included the Uptown String Band from Bucks County, Pennsylvania marching down Main St., live music from Zoe’s Playlist in front of Town Hall, formerly known as Sel-Koh, and for kids, pony rides from Silver Dollar Stables.
   Food was provided by several Main St. businesses including Cranbury Pizza, Gli & Bert’s Ice Cream and the Cranbury Lion’s Club was grilling up hamburgers and chicken for people to purchase.
   According to event committee member Susan Goetz, several farmers’ market vendors were there including Tumbleweed & Eddie’s, Funni Bonz Barbeque Sauce, and Good Times Kettle Corn.