ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J.—On Sunday morning, Sept. 16, Carrol McMorrow exclaimed, “It’s a gorgeous day, and we’re all excited!”
McMorrow was referring to the Third Annual Englewood Cliffs 5K Run/Walk that was about to begin. She helped organize the popular event with a 5K race committee and a dozen volunteers.
As in past years, the event brought hundreds of people to Englewood Cliffs, and thanks to diligent planning by the 5K committee and a host of generous sponsors, it was once again a bounding success.
The committee members were McMorrow, Councilman William Woo, Sanket Shah, Don Yee, Recreation Director Rashard Casey and Assistant Recreation Director Paul Duffy. The Englewood Cliffs Police Department and Department of Public Works provided support.
The 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course was a USATF sanctioned and timed race with the funds raised going to the borough’s recreation, parks and playgrounds.
The day began at 8:30 a.m. with a children’s 1-mile fun run around Witte Field. Kids of all ages competed and everyone who crossed the finish line received a medal and cheers from doting parents and grandparents.
By 9:15, some 200 Englewood Cliffs residents and visitors had signed in for the 5K race and were assembled at the starting line under a colorful inflated arch. Mayor Mario Kranjac and Race Director Nick Joannidis welcomed everyone. Kranjac himself was a race participant, and his wife, Nancy, came to wish everyone luck.
Fitness trainers from Retro Fitness helped the group warm up with stretches. Then, Sasha Selick, 13, from the EC Upper School, sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem.
As soon as Joannidis did the countdown, the runners were off in a flash and speeding past the throng of spectators and photographers.
The festive race, now in its third year, took runners through the streets of Englewood Cliffs. The course had some hills, and the hot and humid weather added to the challenge, but participants found it exhilarating.
Some racers ran as a team, such as 40 members of the New Jersey Road Runners Association. Maria Bournais and her fiancé, Peter Gagliardo, completed the race riding recumbent bicycles, and several runners and walkers pushed strollers.
Gabrielle Panepinto and Daniel Reiser and their four boys all started the race together and all won medals in their respective categories.
Medals were awarded to the top male and female finisher in each age group: 14 and under, 15–19, and in decade increments from people in their 20s all the way up to one octogenarian runner.
The first-place male finisher, who asked that his name not be published, posted a time of 20:05:70.
The first-place female finisher was Gabrielle Panepinto of Tenafly, at 21:04:82.
Sebastian Castro and Austin Kim, both 10, were thrilled to win first and second place medals in the fun run.
“I play a lot of baseball and that keeps me in shape for running,” said Kim.
“So do I,” added Castro.
Mayor Kranjac said that he really enjoyed this year’s 5K race. A veteran runner, Kranjac has competed in numerous events, including the New York Marathon and triathlons.
“I always enjoy the Englewood Cliffs 5K. The community is great, and I always give this race my best!” he said.
Joannidis has been the race director of the Englewood Cliffs 5K Race/Walk since it began, and he directs other races in Bergen County.
“What I like about this particular race is that 70 to 80 percent of the participants are from Englewood Cliffs, where in other 5K races, the runners are scattered from all over. This is an exceptional close and friendly community,” Joannidis said.
What is also impressive about this event is the many community sponsors. A billboard at Witte Field displayed the names of 15 corporations, local businesses and families, including LG, Lexus of Englewood, Parkway Toyota, Port Authority PBA, Bergen Protective Systems, Michael Halebian & Co., the McMorrow family and the Woo family.
A sumptuous buffet with breakfast items as well as several kinds of pastas and pizzas was provided by Brownstone Pancake Factory and Giovanni’s Bicycle Club.
In the grassy area along Witte Field, numerous vendors had set up tables where they gave out free protein bars and energy drinks along with their brochures. Benches were filled with families and friends enjoying these snacks.
Inside the field, inflatable games and a bounce house supplied by Drown the Clown delighted young children.
The music by DJ Joey Liberti Jr. was so lively that some children broke out their fancy dance moves.
As the event came to a close, the first place male finisher, who had traveled from out of state, told Northern Valley Press, “I came to New Jersey for a family wedding, and decided to enter the race while I was visiting. So, this is the first time I’ve competed in the Englewood Cliffs 5K, and I have to say that I had a great time. The runners and staff are so friendly and I am definitely planning to come back next year!”
Photos by Hillary Viders