Fourth annual Half Marathon this Sunday

TOWN CRIER- WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 24, 2008

By MIKE GIANNATTASIO
Sports Correspondent

On Sunday, the fourth annual Wilmington Half Marathon and 5K Road Race will take place throughout the streets of Wilmington. The race started in 2004 as a celebration in honor of Wilmington’s 275th birthday, and it has been a success ever since.

Pre-registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and it will begin at 355 Middlesex Anenue, which is the new location of the Wilmington Community Television non-profit organization. The races, which includes the half marathon (13.5 miles) and the 5K (3.1 miles) run or walk will begin at 10 a.m.

High school students looking to run in any of the races on Sunday have to pay only $10. For all other participants, it is a $15 pre-registration fee or a $20 post-registration fee for the 5K road race, and it is a $20 pre-registration fee or a $25 post-registration fee for the half marathon. Group rates are also available for 10+ runners or walkers.

Laura Ahern is an assistant race director of the event, and she said that the race is a great way to raise money for both the town of Wilmington and other organizations.

“The money raised goes back to the Wilmington Community,” said Ahern. “We have raised over $10,000 each year. We have given out scholarships to high school students and raised money for several much needed organizations such as Camp Forty Acres and the Wilmington Food Pantry.

“This is our fourth year and we are proud to have wonderful major sponsors such as the Reading Co-operative Bank and Catherine Wilson, of Wilson Real Estate, as well many other local companies that have given generous donations.”

Ahern added that the head race director, Tom Pazya, was the person who started the event four years ago as he thought it would be a tremendous way to raise money for the town of Wilmington.

“Tom's interest in running various road races in the past and his passion for giving back to the community went hand in hand,” said Ahern. “Denise Gentile and myself, both assistant race directors, joined Tom's passion in giving back to the community and thought this would be a great way to raise money.”

Ahern added that many other people deserve credit for setting up the road race, which has averaged about 150 runners the first three years but should get a dramatic increase this year with the addition of the 5K walk.

“We have a big committee that includes Catherine Wilson, Ellen Sheehan, Lori Munro, Brendan Munro, Christine Deambrose, and Jim Buckley whom are all Wilmington residents that donate their time and meet throughout the year with us,” said Ahern. “We also have many behind the scenes volunteers that give their time to make this race happen and we can't thank them enough for their support.”

Gentile, the other assistant director of the road race, said it is very rewarding to be part of the worthwhile event.

“It is fun to be a part of anything that helps people,” said Gentile. “I like to see the people as they come over the finish line. I think it is great. I don't run and I admire that (the runners) can do it. I'm very proud to be able to be a part of it.”

Ahern agreed with Gentile, as she said that being a volunteer is what she has enjoyed the most since getting involved in the road race four years ago.

“Giving back to the community we live and work in has been great,” said Ahern. “The day of the event is so much fun. You work hard throughout the year to make the race happen and you are able to make a difference. We are all so happy to be helping families in need."

Ahern encourages many people across the town to volunteer for the race on Sunday, especially teenagers who want to help the town of the Wilmington.

“Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community,” said Ahern. “We hope to grow this race from year to year. This is a wonderful opportunity for high school students to volunteer and make a difference.”
Ahern also encourages any company or person to sponsor the annual road race.

“We encourage any company being big or small to help sponsor this event,” said Ahern. “You can donate as little as $100. Every little bit counts and makes a difference. We are hoping next year we will have a couple more major sponsors in the level of $1000+.”

Gentile said that the great part about the road race this year is all of the free food and activities being offered to the participants.

“We have free face painting for the kids, free ice cream, hot dogs, drinks as well as music and a DJ,” said Gentile.

Along with all the results of the race appearing in next week’s Town Crier, Gentile added that awards will also be given out to several participants at the race on Sunday.

“We give out medals for different categories,” said Gentile. “We give out 78 medals between the half marathon and the 5K run. Some of the sponsors give us gifts to give with the medals for some of the categories.”

Ahern said that Sunday should be another fun day for the Wilmington Marathon as it will be another opportunity for the town of Wilmington to raise money for their community.

“Having the opportunity to write the checks out to the different organizations and handing the scholarships out to the students is very rewarding,“ said Ahern. “We want to succeed, we want to raise more money, and we are enthusiastic about giving more each year just to help organizations that need our help.

“We hope you will join us this year rain or shine. This is a great opportunity to run or walk just 3.1 miles with your friends, spouse, family. If you thought about volunteering but haven't, well then volunteer one day of the year and walk on our day, September 28th and make a difference. We hope to see you there.”

If you would like to volunteer at the race on Sunday or if you are interested in any sponsorship levels, please contact either Laura Ahern at http://us.mc329.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=c.ahern@comcast.net or Denise Gentile at http://us.mc329.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=denatgen@yahoo.com. Donations are tax-deductible.

For more information on Wilmington’s Fourth Annual Half Marathon and 5K Race/Walk, please visit the web-site http://wilmingtonhalfmarathon.tripod.com/.