Newtown and Sandy Hook were well-represented in the Faxon Law Fairfield Road Races 5K and Half Marathon, this past weekend. The 5K took place on a wet June 24 morning, and the half marathon was held the next day, under bright, sunny skies, with both races beginning and ending at Jennings Beach. Several participants competed in the Lucas Challenge, running both events.

Luke Albrecht was the fastest Newtown finisher in the Fairfield Half, coming across the 13.1-mile course finish line in a time of 1:38.54, good for 150th place. There were 2,323 reported finishers. The winner of the race was West Hartford's Everett Hackett, who completed the run in 1:07.15. The top female finisher was Annmarie Tuxbury of New Hartford, who finished in 13th place with a time of 1:20.10.

Newtown and Sandy Hook top finishers are as follows: Russell Phillips was 430th in a time of 1:49.46, Jonathan Gamble was 512th, finishing in 1:52.30, Joe Moran was 527th in 1:53.18, Cynthia Degirolamo came in 633rd in 1:55.35, Lina Marcela Montoya came in 646th in 1:55.52, Sabrina Phillips was 661st in 1:55.37, and Frank Caico was 705th in 1:57.33.

Other community members who showed their stamina by completing the grueling, hilly at times, course were Elizabeth Cochrane, Jenna Calandro, Annette Tibolla, Charlotte Calandro, Holly Walczak, Jeanette Murphy, Krista Benson, Jimmy Glynn, Timothy LeBlanc, Eryn Hohs Ivey, Laura Nerone, Thomas Claire, Anna Biondi, Katie Reilly, Maria Biondi, Amanda D'Amato, Elizabeth Caico, Meghan Plunkett, John Murphy, Brian Hartgraves, and Doria Linnetz.

Kathy Davey, a teacher and Unified Sports coach at Newtown High School, did the Lucas Challenge, along with her daughter, Kai-li. Davey has completed half marathons before, but this was Kai-li's first.

The course takes runners through the streets of Fairfield and Westport, along the water in spots. Spectators do their part to help the runners along as they have done since the first Fairfield Half, back in 1981.

"The course itself is absolutely beautiful. The homes are gorgeous and the scenery, at times is breathtaking. The fan support was amazing. Bands were playing, the crowds cheering, and people sitting on their front porches rooting on all the runners. There were several people who ran sprinklers and hoses from their homes that allowed runners to run through to cool off and still other home owners passing out bottles of water. It really is a community event with a great vibe," Davey said.

"The Fairfield race was a tough course and it's in the summer heat and humidity, but the spectators are so encouraging and loud, there's tons of water hoses to run under, and lots of bands along the route," Benson concurred. "It's a party atmosphere."

The fun-filled atmosphere carried over with post-race celebration on the beach, allowing runners to refuel with pizza, fruit, ice cream, and other snacks prior to, during, and after an awards ceremony, with music in the background and the ocean backdrop serving as a tempting opportunity to cool down.

Pushing through the 13-plus miles is not easy, especially in the heat, but the runners made it happen.

"While I find that sometimes running is a chore, I love the feeling of strength as I run, and the sense of accomplishment after. And there's always goals to set, whether it's going longer or faster, or trying a new, more difficult route," Benson said.

As if 13.1 miles isn't enough, Benson is signed up for the Baltimore Marathon, along with her sister, in October. It will be her third 26.2-mile race, and her sister's first.

"I prefer shorter distances and was not planning to do another marathon after my last one," Benson said.

But there is always a drive that runners seem to have.

"Finishing a race always gives me a sense of accomplishment," Davey explains. "I love watching other runners as they cross the finish line. I see the pride, the hard work, and the success released as they cross that line. I absolutely love it."