The 12th Annual Newtown Road Race, held September 2, was a family event loaded with impressive personal success stories for young children and seniors in high school on up to senior citizens including some 80-plus years of age, as a matter of fact.

Jason J Edwards emceed the annual race event, which benefits Newtown Youth & Family Services. Abby Giansiracusa sang the National Anthem before the runners departed from the park entrance up the hill on Elm Drive, shortly after 8 am on a crisp fall-like morning in which temperatures were in the 50s.

Christian Lestik, a Newtown High School senior, ran with several members of the cross country family, and won the 5K race for the second year in a row, shaving nine seconds off his winning time, as he came across the Dickinson Park finish line in 17:31.

Its a lot of fun. I love the course, said Lestik, 17, who was 16 seconds faster than second-place runner and NHS cross country teammate/fellow team captain Joel Duval, also 17.

Brenda McRae was the top female finisher, logging a 13th-place result with a time of 20:23.

The fact McRae, of Sandy Hook, ran the race at all was an impressive feat never mind the fact she lead the female field. McRae, 33, is less than a month removed from spinal surgery; she injured her back catching her daughter during a fall on a pool deck this summer.

So Im very happy with my time, McRae said.

McRae and her family moved to town only a year ago, but she has already made a name for herself in Newtown road races, winning the female division at the Turkey Trot and Sandy Hook 5K. So how does the Newtown Road Race stack up?

This ones the best. Its flat, the weathers perfect, said McRae, before going to watch her children in the events Kids Fun Run.

Newtowns Tim Bartlett and his children, Hannah and Dylan, ran the 5K race together.

They both leave for college tomorrow so we figured once last fun thing to do together as a family, Tim Bartlett said after they refueled with snacks under the park pavilion.

Sandy Hooks Brian McGambley was among several participants to jog the course while pushing a child in a stroller. He had Grace and his wife, Jeannette, went with their other daughter, Brynn, also in a stroller.

Its a fun time. Its kind of our family thing, McGambley said.

Anthony Moreno, 17, placed third in 19:11; Austin Burns, 21, was fourth in 19:24; Philip Tisi, 35, placed fifth in 19:33; Jose Pasini, 44, was sixth in 19:39; Alex Wong, 16, came in seventh in 19:42; Matt Brantl, 16, was eighth in 19:49; Johathan Nahmias, 16, was ninth in 19:56; Jake Bulkley, 13, finished tenth in 20:09.

Bulkley is not a runner, but rolled out of bed and decided last minute to give it a go, said his dad, Scott Bulkley, who also ran the course with his wife and children. Jake Bulkley, who plays lacrosse and tapped his natural athleticism, won the 13 and under age bracket. Scott Bulkley is the lacrosse coach at Newtown High. NHS Athletic Director, Matt Memoli, also ran the course.

Joe Whelan, 53, was 11th in 20:11; and Todd Perrin, 16, placed 12th in 20:19. After McRae, Michael Connelly, 13, came in 14th with a time of 20:31; Cody Gotthardt, 23, was 15th in 20:35; Thomas Hartley, 16, placed 16th in 20:38; James Christos, 35, was 17th in 20:40; Fernando Caetano, 59, came in 18th in 20:54; Kevin McDonald, 60, was 19th with a time of 20:58; and Ally McCarthy, 13, was 20th in 21:00.

Eastons Edward Soderberg, 81, won the 80 and over age category, finishing in a time of 41:53.

This was great, Soderberg said of the course, which he ran for the first time.

Soderberg, who has completed two half marathons this year, is doing his part to help others stay fit; he teaches exercise classes through the Monroe YMCA.

James Bergeron, 82, wasnt far behind Soderberg, coming across the line in 42:30 to round out the two-man 80-plus division results.

The husband and wife running tandem of Pat and Bill Smith, of Newtown, again had strong performances. Pat, 70, won the 70-79 age division in 32:05, and Bill, 75 (soon to be 76 and still running strong) was third in his division with a time of 32:07.

I love it. Its agony while youre doing it, but I love it, Pat said of running.

The Smiths didnt start running until 2011. It was around the time of Bills 70th birthday, Pat recalls, and he wanted to do something special so he signed up for the Newtown Road Race, having had no buildup or training for the 5K.

I was just happy he didnt want to jump out of an airplane so I ran with him, Pat said.

They both won their age division that first time around, and have stuck with it, also participating in other Newtown races throughout the past handful of years, and winning age divisions multiple times.

Rita Kelly (42:28) and Sandy Lubin (42:43), both 72, were the second- and third-place finishers, respectively, and Elizabeth Eaton (44:13), 75, was fourth in the female 70-79 division.

The top four males in the 70-79 range were Frank McGowan, 72, who finished in 28:29; Frank Maco, 70, who was second in 29:54; Smith; and Ken Ziman, 70, who came across in 38:04

Age division champions are as follows: Female 13 and under Ally McCarthy, 13, 21:00. 14-19 Allie Paynter, 17, 24:16. 20-29 Meredith MacMillan, 28, 25:11. 30-39 Amber Kerr, 37, 22:46. 40-49 Leah Begg, 48, 23:57. 50-59 Laura Nowacki, 52, 22:39. 60-69 Debbie Perry, 61, 26:10. Male 13 and under Jake Bulkley, 13, 20:09. 14-19 Joel Duval, 17, 17:47. 20-29 Austin Burns, 21, 19:24. 30-39 Philip Tisi, 35, 19:33. 40-49 Joe Pasini, 44, 19:39. 50-59 Joe Whelan, 53, 20:11. 60-69 Kevin McDonald, 60, 20:58.

Visit the Plattsys Timing webpage for overall results and age division results.

Follow this link:
Family Fun And Personal Success Stories At Annual Road Race - The Newtown Bee