Conrad, Nowacki Take Top Honors In Annual Road Race

By Andy Hutchison

Sandy Hook’s David Conrad, 46, was the first to finish the Newtown Road Race on October 1. Conrad completed the 5K run, which began and finished at Dickinson Park, in a time of 19:29. Fellow Sandy Hook resident Laura Nowacki, 46, was the first female finisher. She came across the finish line in 21:17 for a seventh-place overall result.

The race, originally scheduled for September 3, was postponed due to concerns about fallen tree limbs and other debris along the race course in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. The rescheduled date looked like it would be a wet one, but the rain took a break and runners enjoyed cool, mid-60 degree conditions for the 3.1-mile course.

Joe Whelan, 47, was second overall, finishing in 19:37; Kyle Riordan, 37, came in third in 19:44; Eric Kolb, 37, was fourth in 19:54; Jeff Steinebrey, 43, placed fifth in 20:03; and John Chick, 24, was sixth in 20:44. Nowacki was followed by eighth-place finisher Wes Kenworthy, 23, who completed the 5K in 21:18. Rounding out the top-ten list were Joe Daly, 49, who was ninth in 21:34; and Bill Begg, 48, who completed the run in 22:04 for tenth, edging out Monica Roberto, 42, who finished in 22:10.

Head O’ Meadow Elementary School fourth-grader Jane Shearin sang the national anthem to help get things started, and Newtown Bee Associate Editor John Voket served as emcee of the sixth annual race. Steve Meeker, the race director, said that although not everybody who signed up was able to attend the rescheduled race, there were more than 300 runners who registered in advance of the event. The race featured 187 finishers.

“Everything came together. We were able to pull it off and it was a huge success,” Meeker said. “Not as many people as we usually have, but everybody that came out was just really excited. The sponsors were great and all the volunteers came out in full force so we had a great day.”

This year’s race date change opened the door for runners in their 30s and 40s to step to the forefront because high school cross country runners are not permitted to participate in races once the school season is underway.

Race officials were able to donate the leftover water, soda, and juice to the FAITH Food Pantry and the food pantry at Newtown Social Services via the Newtown Youth Football food drive later on Saturday. The race, as always, benefits Newtown Youth & Family Services.