The Resolution Run 5K Committee has distributed $10,600 to the beneficiaries of the Jan. 1 charity foot race. The 3.1-mile race has been held each New Year’s Day since 2002 and is organized by the Resolutions for Others Foundation, a Hillsborough-based nonprofit group.
Proceeds benefit Project Graduation 2016, which is an all-night, alcohol- and drug-free celebration held the night of graduation. It is planned and carried out by parents and volunteers to help ensure the safety of the graduating class.
A portion of the proceeds also benefit three pet rescue groups: Carol’s Cats, Companion Animal Placement and Greyhounds of N.J.
This year’s race was held under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 30s, according to Race Director Gary Verhoorn. At 11 a.m., hundreds of runners and walkers took to the streets from the municipal building.
The fastest male runner was Brian Crowley of Hillsborough, while the fastest female was Meghan Bruce of Princeton. Crowley finished the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 29 seconds, beating his time from last year by about 10 seconds. Megan ran 19:46, besting the next runner by 19 seconds. Crowley, 51, a “regular” at the race, won for the second consecutive year and third time in the last four years.
In the masters category (40 and older), winners were Steven Warren of Princeton in 19:36 and Keira Forker of Hillsborough in 21:59.
Volunteers and business sponsors were essential in supporting the race. Kevin Katmann, the director of volunteers, noted, “Some of our volunteers have been with us all 15 years of the race, while others helped us for the first time.” He thanked the Somerset Runners Club, student and adult volunteers from Project Graduation and those who heard about the race from its website or Facebook page.
There were a total of 110 awards, including medals, gift certificates and merchandise. Awards were given for the best times in 5-year age groups. Awards were also given to the oldest (a man, 83, and a woman, 77) and youngest (a 5-year boy and a girl, 7) as well as the farthest traveled (four from Dublin, Ireland, 3,211 miles). Runners came from 11 states. In the field, 173 runners were registered from Hillsborough.
Runners were asked to supply an optional resolution. Special awards for the most meaningful, the funniest and most original resolutions were given. All resolutions are listed on the website for the year.
“The resolutions can be a continuing source of both enjoyment and amusement,” Verhoorn noted.
The Race Committee thanked all 600 runners and walkers.
“Without them, the community event never would have taken place!” Verhoorn noted. He said, “All participants must pre-register and when 600 spaces fill up, registration is closed.”
Thanks were expressed to the township police department and rescue squad, the township administration, the governing body, the Board of Education and the township Youth Services Committee and its Project Graduation Committee.
In addition to fees from runners, business sponsors ensure the success of the event.
The Presenting Sponsor was Hillsborough Massage Therapy LLC. There were two Platinum Sponsors, TayganPoint Consulting Group, based in Lambertville, and Schilke Construction, from Hillsborough.
Gold Sponsors were Allen Lopez-Absolute Home Mortgage Corp., Advanced Eyecare & Vision Gallery and Dr. Barbara J. Tarbell, Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Bridgeway Senior Healthcare, Efinger Sporting Goods, Foothill Acres Rehabilitation Center, Harlingen Veterinary Clinic, Hillsborough Podiatry Group, HRC Fitness, Just Subs, Petrock’s Bar & Grille, Premiere College Funding, Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, Shop Rite of Hillsborough, 10×10 Home Body Fitness, V5 Cycles, Van Cleef Engineering Associates and Wegman’s of Bridgewater.
The Bank Honor Role Sponsor was Peapack-Gladstone Bank.
Patrons included Central Jersey Nurseries, attorney Joseph Cioce, Dubitsky Dental, Family Chiropractic Center, JML Landscaping, Kathleen Academy of Dance, StrengthCondition.com, TMB Triathlon Club and the Women’s Club of Hillsborough.
The year’s 5K was dedicated to the memory of Sally Ibrahim, who passed away in 2015. According to the Race Committee, “Sally’s positive attitude and willingness to volunteer each year continues to inspire all of us.”
Information about the race is updated at www.resolutionrun.org and on their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/resolutionrun5k.
