Heart of Eastford 5K nets nearly $5K for food pantry, other causes

EASTFORD — It what turned out to be somewhat of a kickoff for Experience Eastford on Saturday, May 10, the Recreation Commission hosted the annual Heart of Eastford 5K, which started (at 9 a.m.) and finished at Eastford Elementary School. According to the Recreation Commission, the event raised nearly $5,000, which will be split between the Eastford Food Pantry and a beneficiary yet to be determined. It total, 115 runners participated in the race. For a list of selected winners, see below! For the full list of winners, as well as their times, visit this website.

Adam Minor photos

The race began in the parking lot of Eastford Elementary School at 9 a.m. sharp.

The first place finisher, Brayden Dunn, 17, of Coventry, who finished with a time of 17:15.

Stephen Kurczy, 42, of Woodstock, finished in second place overall, with a time of 17:31.

John Liu, 14, of Pomfret, finished in third place overall, with a time of 19:32.

Left, Tama Careathers, 48, of Stratford, finished second in the Female 40 to 49 Division, and 30th overall, with a time of 27:39. Right, Terry O’Neill, 60, of Southbury, finished second in the Male 60 to 69 Division, and 31st overall, with a time of 27:40.

Allison Channey, 33, of Eastford, finished 35th overall, with a time of 28:05.

Katie Fontaine, 40, of Manchester, is a member of the Run 169 Towns Society, whose goal is to complete a race in each of Connecticut’s 169 towns. The Heart of Eastford 5K was Fontaine’s 100th race in pursuit of that goal. She finished 33rd overall, with a time of 27:55. She is pictured here with her family, husband John, and daughters Teddy, Emma, and Cora.

Race Results

Overall Top 10

1. Brayden Dunn, 17, Coventry, 17:15

2. Stephen Kurczy, 42, Woodstock, 17:31

3. John Liu, 14, Pomfret, 19:32

4. Ken Fay, 38, Plainville, 19:49

5. Stephen Gode, 36, North Haven, 20:51

6. Leo Deng, 13, Pomfret, 21:06

7. Rich Federico, 47, Madison, 21:35

8. David Berthiaume, 55, Portland, 21:55

9. George Xi, 13, Pomfret, 22:54

10. Ryan Smith, 28, Pomfret, 22:55

Top 3 By Division

19 and Under (Male)

1. Brayden Dunn, 17, Coventry, 17:15

2. John Liu, 14, Pomfret, 19:32

3. Leo Deng, 13, Pomfret, 21:06

19 and Under (Female)

1. Sylvia Nagy, 6, Manchester, 30:36

2. Linnea Barlow, 17, Eastford, 30:53

3. Georgia Barlow, 12, Eastford, 36:19

20 to 29 Division (Male)

1. Ryan Smith, 28, Pomfret, 22:55

2. James Sweeny, 29, Portland, 24:28

3. Jacob Mullin, 26, Woodstock Valley, 36:30

20 to 29 Division (Female)

1. Katherine Swierk, 28, Hartford, 24:43

2. Megan Hart, 21, Branford, 32:03

3. Elizabeth Hull, 27, Stratford, 34:37

30 to 39 Division (Male)

1. Ken Fay, 38, Plainville, 19:49

2. Stephen Gode, 36, North Haven, 20:51

3. Douglas Henry, 33, Brooklyn, 26:57

30 to 39 Division (Female)

1. Alexandra Salinsky, 30, Coventry, 23:07

2. Rebecca Byler, 34, New Haven, 23:33

3. Shelbie Greene, 33, Ashford, 25:55

40 to 49 Division (Male)

1. Stephen Kurczy, 42, Woodstock, 17:31

2. Rich Federico, 47, Madison, 21:35

3. Jeff Nagy, 47, Manchester, 23:26

40 to 49 Division (Female)

1. Jillian Cacopardo, 46, Portland, 24:56

2. Tama Careathers, 48, Stratford, 27:39

3. Katie Fontaine, 40, Manchester, 27:55

50 to 59 Division (Male)

1. David Berthiaume, 55, Portland, 21:55

2. Matt DeMaio, 53, Old Saybrook, 24:50

3. Patrick Farley, 51, Portland, 25:10

50 to 59 Division (Female)

1. Tracey Clark, 53, North Stonington, 25:54

2. Ariana Mongillo, 51, Hamden, 26:14

3. Erica Berthiaume, 56, Portland, 28:11

60 to 69 Division (Male)

1. Glenn Zinn, 62, South Windsor, 26:25

2. Terry O’Neill, 60, Southbury, 27:40

3. Craig Szymanski, 61, Ivoryton, 30:26

60 to 69 Division (Female)

1. Judy Nunes, 65, Milford, 31:06

2. Lori Lavers, 66, Woodbridge, 31:36

3. Jeanne Zulick, 60, Ellington, 35:41

70 to 79 Division (Male)

1. Kevin Ross, 72, Fairfield, 40:59

70 to 79 Division (Female)

1. Jane Doyle, 70, Woodstock Valley, 42:40

2. Ruth Barlow, 73, Eastford, 47:07

Kids of all ages enjoy special ‘Fun Run’ event

EASTFORD — As part of the Heart of Eastford 5K during Experience Eastford on Saturday, May 10, the Recreation Commission also hosted a Kids Fun Run for kids of all ages. The route started at the intersection of Westford Road and John Perry Road, then went to Church Road, and back. The entry fee was either a cash donation or a donation of food to the Eastford Food Pantry.

Adam Minor photos