Another Successful Rooster Run

To the Editor:

Thanks to all that turned out on Saturday, May 22, to support the Newtown Parks and Recreation 36th annual Rooster Run/Walk 5K. We had 325 fantastic finishers! It is such a great way to kick off the unofficial start of summer here in Newtown. As a PE teacher at Reed Intermediate School, I loved seeing all of the families that came out to promote living a healthy, active lifestyle. Thanks to the Fairfield Hills Authority and the Newtown Municipal Center for a great race location, one that we hope will continue the tradition for years to come.

The race proceeds support the Newtown Scholarship Association. The event could not have happened without the community support and especially our greatly appreciated sponsors. Bagel Delight and Dunkin’ Donuts provided all of the bagels and Caraluzzi’s, Stop & Shop, Big Y, and Stew Leonard’s provided all other post-race food. Pepsi Bottling of Brookfield and Coca-Cola of Naugatuck provided the post-race beverages. Special thanks to Crystal Rock for sponsoring and supplying our water station.

Thank you to our tremendous sponsors, please support them. They are: Churchill Physical Therapy, Bagel Delight, Newtown Hardware, Newtown Center Pediatrics, Pepsi Brookfield, Coca Cola Naugatuck, Crystal Rock, Dunkin’ Donuts Newtown, Panera Bread, Newtown Diagnostic Imaging, Bobmar LLC, Village Eye Care, Berkshire Motors, and Ice Cream Shoppe.

Special thanks to the Newtown Scholarship Association board members Carol Garbarino, Deb Osborne, Terri-Ann Martocci, Julie Savino, and Sherri Baggett who volunteered at registration and at strategic locations on the race course. RoseAnn Reggiano, Amy Mangold, and Parks and Recreation do a great job getting everything all the set up, and a special thanks to my fellow Reed PE teachers Aaron Blank and MaryFaith Zanghi and their families for helping out. Thanks to Travis LeBlanc for stepping up to help as well.

The participants of the Females in Training program set a great tone for the race.

Another great addition to the race was the presence was the NYA contingent. Dorrie Carolan and the NYA sponsored over 50 runners. It was fantastic seeing both groups out there in festive team shirts.

Thank you to the Newtown Police Department and Newtown Ambulance for a wonderful job of keeping everyone safe. Your time and energy are truly appreciated.

Thanks to all those kids out there wearing their blue volunteer shirts for helping: Mallory LoBuglio, Claire Betier, Mackenzie Creney, Jourdan Svanda, and Patrick Conte! Thanks to Ken and Platt Systems for a job well done timing our race. Thanks to all of the organizations that had tables out for our community.

If you enjoyed this run, keep in mind the Newtown Road Race 5K on Saturday, September 4, and the new Newtown Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.

I look forward to seeing you next year at the 37th anniversary of the great Rooster Run on May 21, 2011.

I wish good health to all.

Mark Gerace

Rooster Run Race Director

23 Hall Lane, Newtown                                                    May 25, 2010