A field of close to 100 runners came to the Conference House Saturday morning to brave the cold and participate in the annual Valentine’s Day 5K Run. Finishing the race with the overall victories were longtime top local runners Chris Calimano and Melissa Kraker.
The family of the late Bobby Guidera, who passed away while running in December, was honored in a pre-race ceremony which included presentations to the family, a musical tribute by Julius Pontecorvo and a speech by longtime running veteran and close friend Charlie Marchese.
Calimano, whose range of top performances begins at the mile and continue on to long-distance ultra-marathon events, clocked a winning time of 18 minutes, 37 seconds. Next in line was Joseph Szuillocioti (20:10) and Dominick Moncad (20:31).
Women's champion Melissa Kraker and men's winner Chris Calimano after their victories at Saturday's Valentine Day's 5K Run
Kraker, fittingly competing under the race number “214”, finished fourth overall, also easily winning with a time of 21:12. January’s Resolution Run champion Lorraine Ensana (22:33) finished second and Jen Piche (23:16) third.
Race participants from Markham Intermediate School gather together before they take off for this morning's Valentine Day's 5K run.
Bell Lap: Calimano gave his championship trophy to the Guidera family...Robert and Christine Russo took home the top husband-and-wife combined team award...Aside from the usual Island runners coming down to run, students from Markham Intermediate School participated as did members of the Brooklyn-based Prospect Park Track Club...This was the final leg of the Trail Triple Crown Series, which culminates with the Trail Triple Crown Awards Dinner that will be held this upcoming week on Feb. 19....For further info on the dinner and race results check out...
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