By: Edir Coronado
Local residents got together this year and created the first ever Race to Summer 5K, in memory of Patrick J. Allocca to raise money for their downtown area and allocate funds to a charitable recipient.
This year the committee will make a donation to Camp Clover, a week-long summer camp for children’s ages 5- 7 who’ve experience grief. The camp provides tools for children to cope with their sorrow, along with original forms of summer camp activities. These coping skills learned at the camp, are aids that the campers can use for the rest of their lives.
Hundreds of residents, both young and old, gathered at the Scotch Plains municipal building to show their support. There was no limit on how you participated in the race, community members ran, jogged, and even used jogging strollers.
Although hundreds of determined runners crossed that starting line, some posted impressive running times. In first place was Joseph Brancale, age 29, coming in at 17 minutes and 19 seconds; then Brian Trembley, age 28, coming in at a very close second 17 minutes 31 seconds; and third was Ben Fleischer, age 15, coming in at 18 minutes 22 seconds.
Melissa Cerimele, age 31, finished first in the female category at 19 minutes 21 seconds; Rachel Ackerman, age 32, finished second, with 20 minutes 33 seconds; and Adrianne Foote, age 33, finished third with. 20 minutes 45 seconds.
After the race was completed participants enjoyed live music from “The Neighbors” band and BBQ from the Stagehouse Tavern.
(above) Joseph Brancale, age 29, came in 1st place at 17 minutes and 19 seconds.
(above) Melissa Cerimele, age 31, finished first in the female category at 19 minutes 21.
(above) Event volunteers.
To see more pictures of this event visit Scotch Plains Race to Summer 2016
