Fourth Annual New Milford 5K Run a Big Success

After a week of severe weather alerts and flood warnings, the morning was picture perfect for the Fourth Annual New Milford Fire Department's 5K Run that was held on Saturday, June 15. Over 420 adults and children participated in the event which hosted a Family Walk, Kids Half Mile, Kids Dash and the 5K Run. New Milford Police Chief Frank Papapietro was among the runners. 

Kevin Nyambane was first to cross the finish line to win the race with a time of 16:04.19. Finishing second was John Pulos from the Hackensack HS track team at 16:19.07, followed by Carlos David Roa from Jamaica NY who finished third with a time of 16:38.68. 

For the women, Kathy Goetz of Paramus placed first with a time of 19:47.49, Onyi Obelle of Hackensack came in second with a time 19:55.30, and Brittany Day placed third with a time of 20:03.64. 

Nicholas Amaroso placed first for the 1/2 Mile Kids Dash with a time of 3:11. Placing second was Tommy Ryan with a time of 3:23 and coming in third was Melissa Adelung with a time of 3:41.  

Awards went to the top three New Milford male and female residents. The top three males were: Brendan O'Rourke 20:12, Edwin Rotich 21:12.18 and Andrew Williams 21:30.17

The top three New Milford female runners were: Jennifer Teets 21:19.37, Katie Teets 22:38.68, and Kelly Langshultz 22:52.67.

Awards handed for the top 3 firefighters, police, military, and EMT Tom Ryan, William Torpie, Robert Tormo, Nicole Berchtold, Romeo Venegas, & Rick Kurk. With over 30 participants, the North Jersey Masters won the award for the "Best Represented Running Club."

Click here to see the full results from the race. 

The Bagel Factory and Garden Cafe provided bagels, donuts and coffee, while the Neverends, a local New Milford band, entertained the runners and their guests. The Back Center in Dumont also provided complimentary massages to the participants.

The race kicked off with Stephen Pale performing a guitar solo of the National Anthem.

The New Milford Police Dpt, Auxiliary Police, and Ambulance Corps. were out on the course ready to provide safety and assistance. The New Milford Track Team and Nike Factory employees were on hand to cheer on the runners while the New Milford High School Cheerleaders manned water stations. 

Fireman fired up the grills for the post race BBQ of hamburgers & hotdogs. Pulled pork sandwiches were donated by Fink's BBQ in Dumont. As the last race participant crossed the finish line the Bagpiper Band crossed over, signaling the end of the race.

In addition to breakfast and a barbecue, raffle prizes were being called every 15 minutes. Some lucky winners walked away Giants, Mets, Yankees, Redbulls, and Jackals tickets, while others walked away with autographed memorabilia, running shoe certificates, sports watches and restaurant gifts cards.

One lucky winner received a two-night stay at the Loews Regency Hotel in NYC. There was also a 20-foot inflatable slide and a face painter on hand. 

Other sponsors included Oritani Bank, Patient Immediate Care, Englewood Hospital, 24HR Fitness, Madison Spine PT, and HUMC Fitness.