Resolution Run & Walk 5K participants had mostly clear and cold weather on Jan. 1 race day.
The race primarily benefits Hillsborough High School’s 2016 Project Graduation, an all-night, alcohol-and drug-free celebration for graduating seniors.
“This event is a great way to start a new year of fitness with a positive attitude,” said Race Director Gary Verhoorn.
The 5K run 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.”
The 15th edition of the race was held under sunny skies with temperatures that rose to the high 30s by race time of 11 a.m., when hundreds of runners and walkers took to the streets around the township 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 of last year by about 10 seconds. Bruce, 25, ran in 19:46, beating the next runner by 19 seconds.
Crowley, 51, a “regular” at the Resolution Run, won for the second consecutive year. He has won the race in three of the last four years.
In the masters category (40 years of age and older), winners were Steven Warren, 48, of Princeton in 19:36 and Keira Forker, 40, of Hillsborough in 21:59.
Resolution Run depends on volunteers and business sponsors to support it.
According to Kevin Katmann, owner of 10 x 10 Home Body Fitness and volunteer coordinator, “This year we had student and adult volunteers from Project Graduation, an experienced group from the Somerset Runners Club and others who heard about the race from our website or our Facebook page. Some of our nearly 40 volunteers have been with us since the beginning.”
A total of 517 runners crossed the finish line in front of the municipal library. Each received a finisher’s ribbon, a Resolution Run hooded sweatshirt and a goody bag. They were treated to warm pretzels, water, apples and bananas to help their recovery.
Gail McKane, who helped hand out runners’ numbers, said, “Runners were happy to attack the mostly flat course.”
A volunteer said, “This year’s athletes were especially happy to put on their hoody to keep them warm during the race and afterwards.”
Susan Lockhardt noted as she handed out food, “This year they were all glad to come inside to a warm room.”
Stella Nieves, who drove the lead vehicle, together with Kristi Hakim helped award the prizes. There were a total of 110 awards, including medals, gift certificates and merchandise.
Hillsborough Massage Therapy and Efinger’s of Bound Brook gave awards to the top winners while first-, second- and third-place runners in 16 age groups from 9 to 80 won custom-designed medals. Awards were also given to the oldest, the youngest and those who traveled furthest (Ireland).
Random prizes included a massage from Hillsborough Massage Therapy, a mountain bike from V5 Cycles of Flemington, a pair of running shoes, and gift certificates from Village Shoes of Skillman, Efinger’s of Bound Brook and US Candids.
Participants were from 11 states, as well as Ireland.
“There were 574 registered from New Jersey and 173 of these were from Hillsborough,” said Mr. Verhoorn. Females outnumbered males, 350 to 250.
When registering, runners were asked to supply an optional resolution. Special awards for the most meaningful, funniest and most original resolutions were given. All resolutions are listed on the www.resolutionrun.org website.
“Reading the resolutions anytime of the year can be a continuing source of enjoyment and amusement,” said Mr. Verhoorn.
A maximum of 600 runners and walkers are registered each year. All must be pre-registered.
“This year, we filled up by Dec. 17,” said Mr. Verhoorn.
Results from timer Compuscore, together with pictures from US Candids, are at www.resolutionrun.org.
Mr. Verhoorn thanked the township police and rescue squad, township administration, the Township Committee, the Board of Education and the township Youth Services Committee and its Project Graduation Committee.
Project Graduation is planned and carried out by students, parents and community volunteers to help ensure the safety of the graduating class. It has been the prime beneficiary of the race since it began.
A portion of proceeds benefit three non-profit pet rescue groups, Carol’s Cats, Companion Animal Placement of Hillsborough and Greyhounds of NJ.
The 2016 Presenting Sponsor was Hillsborough Massage Therapy LLC.
In addition to fees from runners, business sponsors ensure the success of the run.
There were two 2016 Platinum Sponsors, TayganPoint Consulting Group, based in Lambertville, and Schilke Construction, from Hillsborough.
Gold sponsors were Allen Lopez of Absolute Home Mortgage Corp., Advanced Eyecare & Vision Gallery and Dr. Barbara 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 2016 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.
Information is updated at www.resolutionrun.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/resolutionrun5k.
