HARRINGTON PARK, N.J.—Among Harrington Park residents, it was 12-year-old Benjamin Johnson who crossed the finish line first, 20th overall, at 20 minutes, 40.3 seconds.
But for the total field—551 runners who crossed the finish line at the Harrington Park Fall Spectacular 5K on Nov. 2—Mahwah’s Rob Albano’s blazing 14 minutes, 37.3 seconds was the time of the day.
For women racers, Rose Coats from Brooklyn, N.Y., was the fastest, crossing the finish line at 18 minutes, 46 seconds.
Now in its 18th year, the community 5K has raised more than $175,000 in proceeds that have been donated to community partners.
The race winds through the borough’s public roads and is a great day for community camaraderie, as well as the healthy activity of running and walking. And it takes all kinds: 9-year-old Aidan Brackenbury of Harrington Park was the fastest boy under 10 (24 minutes, 37 seconds), while Finely Krokus, 9, of Old Tappan was the fastest girl under 10; Nathaniel Finestone, 90, from Mountainside, was the oldest runner to cross the finish line.
According to the Harrington Park Road Runners Association, Inc., which was formed in 2017, race proceeds have been donated to the Harrington Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Harrington Park Fire Department, Harrington Park Public Library, Harrington Park School, Harrington Park Beautification Committee, Boy Scout Troop 616, scholarships for high school seniors and other community organizations.
The Road Runner Association formed to manage the 5K race, after it was initially sponsored by the Harrington Park Community Parks Project, then the Harrington Park Sports Boosters.
For full results, go to hp5k.org.
