The Resolution Run 5K Committee recently announced the distribution of checks totaling $11,700 to the beneficiaries of the January 1 charity event., 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 non-profit group., Proceeds benefit Project Graduation 2017, which is an all-night, alcohol- and drug-free celebration held the night of graduation, free to graduating seniors. It is planned, financed and carried out by parents and volunteers to help ensure the safety of Hillsborough’s graduating class. A portion of the proceeds also benefit three pet rescue organizations, Carol’s Cats, Companion Animal Placement and Greyhounds of NJ., On New Year’s Day, precisely at 11 a.m., hundreds of runners and walkers took to the streets of Hillsborough from the Peter J Biondi Municipal Building., The fastest male runner was Brian Crowley, of Hillsborough, while the fastest female runner was Amy Williams, of Hillsborough., Crowley finished the 3.1 mile course in a time of 17 minutes, 11 seconds, beating his time from last year by about 10 seconds and winning for a third consecutive year. Williams ran in 19:04, finishing ahead of the next female by just over a minute., In the Masters category, which features runners 40 years of age and older, winners this year were Brian Bumgarner, of Branchburg, in 18:27 and Keira Forker, of Hillsborough, in 22:00., Volunteers and business sponsors are essential in supporting the race. Director of Volunteers Kevin Katmann said this year’s batch of volunteers were essential in supporting the race., “Some of our volunteers have been with us all 16 years of the race, while others helped us for the first time,” he said., Among those that helped were the Somerset Runners Club, student and adult volunteers from Project Graduation 2017 and others who heard about the race., Stella Nieves, who drove the lead vehicle with her husband Victor Nieves, helped award the prizes, noting there were a total of 110 awards including medals, gift certificates and merchandise. Hillsborough Massage Therapy and Village Shoe Store of Montgomery gave awards to the top winners while first, second and third place runners in 16 age groups from under 9 years old to 80 years old and over won custom designed medals. Awards were also given to the Oldest, the Youngest and those who travelled furthest (Great Britain). Runners came from 11 states. There were 173 runners from Hillsborough., Runners were asked to supply an optional resolution. All resolutions are listed on their website for the entire year., “The resolutions can be a continuing source of both enjoyment and amusement,” Verhoorn noted., The Race Committee thanked all 600 runners and walkers who registered for the event., “Without the runners, this community event never would have taken place,” noted Caroline Katmann, who ran the Expo., Verhoorn thanked the Hillsborough Township Police Department, the Hillsborough Rescue Squad, the Township Administration, the Municipal Committee, the Board of Education and the Township Youth Services Committee and its Project Graduation Committee.
