Max Hanson came across the finish line first in the the Holcombe Hill 5K, to benefit the Newtown Forest Association (NFA) and REACH, at Holcombe Hill Wildlife Preserve, on Saturday, May 5. The 16-year-old cross country and track and field athlete from Newtown High School finished the rigorous, hilly, but also scenic course in a time of 22:37.

His parents, Eric and Kathryn, weren't far behind. Eric (26:16) was third, behind runner-up finisher John Pierz of Brookfield (22:42). Kathryn placed sixth in 27:40, just behind fourth-place finisher Ryan Bigom (27:27) and fifth-place runner Chris Soler (27:33).

Rounding out the top ten were Peter Harrison (28:28), Ken Bogursky (28:58), Deb Bossio (29:08), and Dave Michaels (29:25). Newtown Forest Association board member Bart Smith also came in under 30 minutes and placed 11th (29:40).

"This course has a lot of up hills and a lot of down hills. The up hills were very hard when they kept coming one after another," Max said.

Of course, the cross country runner mastered Newtown's mountain for bragging rights.

"It was definitely hilly," Pierz said. "You never knew what was next. You were always going to be going up hill or down hill. It was never flat."

Pierz said the course was well-marked and that volunteers did a nice job of directing runners along the trails.

"I've never run this trail before so I didn't know what to expect. I would definitely come here and run another race. It's really pretty too, and it's a perfect day," Kathryn said.

The Hansons have strong ties to event and one of its causes. Max formerly was a mentee in the REACH program, and now volunteers his time to the after school program as a mentor, once he's through with cross country and track practice, and his dad serves on REACH's board of directors.

"It was definitely harder than I thought it would be - a good day for it though," said Eric, referring to the temperatures being relatively cool, in the 60s at the mid-morning race time.

Some of the participants made this a family activity. Steve Meeker and his son Owen ran together and both were among the top-20 finishers. The husband and wife tandem of Amy and Bill Mangold were also among the top finishers.

Smith was joined by fellow NFA board member Don Morrissey on the course; the event's organizer and emcee was Dr Aaron Coopersmith.

NFA is the oldest private land trust organization in Connecticut, and is dedicated to preserving forests, agricultural lands, nature preserves, watersheds, and other open space lands in Newtown, for the ongoing benefit of the plants, animals, and citizens of the town.

REACH Newtown is a locally based nonprofit organization with a mission to connect kids and build relationships that change lives. REACH serves more than 200 children in Fairfield County, through a one-to-one mentorship program two days per week, a tutoring academy that serves academically at-risk children four days per week, a weekend outdoor expedition program, and a summer camp throughout the months of July and August all offered at no cost.