From Hasbrouck Heights Patch
On Sunday morning, history was made as 160 runners took off to race through the neighborhoods of Hasbrouck Heights for the first annual Hasbrouck Heights Health Department’s 5K Run/Walk.
The event drew runners and walkers from the borough and surrounding towns.
One Hasbrouck Heights native came back to his hometown to run the race and became the top male race winner. Gary Gagliardi of Lancaster, Penn. finished first with a time of 18:31. Katie Cherney of Hasbrouck Heights was the top female winner with a time of 21:13.
For many it was their very first 5K like young Francesca Brescia who came in second in the 18 and under age group. Francesca ran the race with her dad Lino.
It was also the first 5K for Gabby Smith of Hasbrouck Heights and John Gancia both who said it was a huge milestone for them after losing significant amounts of weight and getting in shape. Smith says now her next goal is to run the Boston Marathon.
At the start of the event Father Ray Holmes of Corpus Christi Church said a prayer and led the runners in a moment of silence for the victims of the Boston Marathon.
The Health Department gave medals to the first, second, third place winners in four age groups. View all the results here.
The Health Department co-sponsored the event with the Junior Womans Club. The funds raised from the event will go towards scholarships for graduating seniors which the Junior Womans Club will present. Funds raised also benefit the Seeing Eye Foundation, a charity the Juniors support.
Each year the Health Department presents a Health Fair, which was done in conjunction with the 5K on Sunday. The department decided to expand its efforts by bringing the 5K run back to the borough as there had not been such an event in some time since the days of the Hasbrouck Heights Education Association 5K.
