A Rooster Run Record

To the Editor:

Thanks to the Newtown community for your help and participation on Saturday, June 16, in support of the Newtown Parks and Recreation’s 38th annual Rooster Run/Walk 5K. We had over 450 fantastic finishers, a Rooster Run record! It is a great way to kick off the summer season here in town. As a PE teacher at Reed Intermediate School, I love seeing all of the families that come out to promote living a healthy, active lifestyle. It truly is a family race. Special thanks to Liz Raftery and her FIT runners and the Middle Gate School team organized by PE teacher Laura Cooper, which add a great dimension to the event. Thanks to the Newtown Parks and Recreation Department, specifically RoseAnn Reggiano and Amy Mangold, for their help and support in organizing this great race. Thanks to the all of the rangers that assisted with setup at the Newtown Municipal Center.

The race proceeds are directed to the Newtown Scholarship Fund, which benefits our students. The event could not happen without the generous support of our sponsors. Special thanks to Sherri Baggett for her help and to the Newtown Scholarship committee members that volunteered their time and talents at registration. Thanks to all of the friends and family members that volunteered on race day — you make this event a success.

Thank you to our tremendous sponsors, please support them. They are: Bagel Delight (Thanks Eunice!) and Dunkin’ Donuts (Thanks Jeff!) for all of the bagels, Nestle for the Poland Spring Water and the PowerBars, H100 Water, Caraluzzi’s, Church Hill Physical Therapy, Toro Restaurant, Newtown Hardware, the Nowacki family, Christine Fairchild-Coldwell Banker Residential, Village Eye Care, Just Play LLC, Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop, Stew Leonard’s, Stop & Shop, Big Y and lastly to Starbucks Newtown for providing the coffee for the early morning race volunteers.

Thank you to the Newtown Police Department and Newtown Ambulance for a wonderful job of keeping everyone safe. It is truly appreciated.

I am so happy to thank all of the Reed Intermediate School students and parents that volunteered their time and energy on race day. They were so helpful during registration, providing assistance out on the course and manning the water stop.

 Thanks to Ken Platt and Platt Systems for a job well done timing the race.

Please continue to support the Newtown Road Race Series and plan on participating in the Newtown Road Race on Labor Day Saturday and The Newtown Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning.

I look forward to seeing you next year the Saturday prior to Father’s Day, June 15, 2013, at 8 am at the 39th running of the Rooster Run 5K. I wish good health to all.

Mark Gerace

Race Director

Newtown Rooster Run 5K

3 Main Street, Newtown                                                 June 18, 2012