About 500 runners ran the perimeter of Braddock Park on Saturday May 14 for the second annual Nicholas Sacco Foundation 5K Fun Run. The foundation, named for the mayor, uses the money to help food pantries, emergency needs for local residents, and scholarships. This year they raised over $40,000.
After the event, more than 100 people enjoyed an afterparty with food, drinks, and giveaways.
First-time Fun Run-ner, Joseph Carroll, 33, won first place. He lives in North Bergen, and said he was excited for the event.
“This is only the second time the Fun Run was in North Bergen, so I was excited to do it.” — Ivan Reyes
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Joshua Torres, 14, and Jacob Gonzalez, 14, didn’t train much at all, they said. Gonzalez finished in fifth place. They trained with one of their teachers from West New York Middle School.
“She tries to push us for high awards,” Torres said.
“It was very fun, and we love coming out to these things,” Gonzalez said.
North Bergen resident Ivan Reyes, 20, finished the race in about 22 minutes. To prepare for the race, he had run four to five miles a day since January. “I’ve done a 5k before,” Reyes said, “I went to North Bergen High School and did cross country. This is only the second time the Fun Run was in North Bergen, so I was excited to do it.”
Family came out to see Andrew Stavash, 16 and his father John Stavash, 49. Andrew finished third in his age group and 14th overall.
Chris Pianese, North Bergen’s town administrator, and his wife Karen are avid runners, and have been working on the Fun Run since the last one finished last year. “Lots of organizations helped, and lots of volunteers helped from the Parks Department or the police,” he said.
Mayor Sacco said, “It’s larger than last year’s with nearly 500 runners. After the run we’re giving checks to eight food pantries.”
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com .