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Animal shelter's first 5K Run/Walk is a success

| 08 May 2013 | 06:42
    Alyssa Douma, left, receives her trophy from her best friend, Race Director Deirdre Bough. Douma was the first female finisher and the second overall.
    Alyssa Douma, left, receives her trophy from her best friend, Race Director Deirdre Bough. Douma was the first female finisher and the second overall.
    First Place Winner Marty Doherty approaches the finish line in Saturday's race.
    First Place Winner Marty Doherty approaches the finish line in Saturday's race.
    Five-year-old Zachary Corbett receives his medal for 2nd place in the 10 and under category for boys.
    Five-year-old Zachary Corbett receives his medal for 2nd place in the 10 and under category for boys.
    Eight-year-old Sarah Pillar is proud of her medal for finishing first in the female 10 and under age group.
    Eight-year-old Sarah Pillar is proud of her medal for finishing first in the female 10 and under age group.
    Participants of the West Milford Animal Shelter 5K spent some time looking at items to support the shelter including t-shirts and magnets.
    Participants of the West Milford Animal Shelter 5K spent some time looking at items to support the shelter including t-shirts and magnets.
    It was a great morning for this mom and her daughter to enjoy some time together.
    It was a great morning for this mom and her daughter to enjoy some time together.
    This dad and daughter gave a wave as they approached the finish line.
    This dad and daughter gave a wave as they approached the finish line.

WEST MILFORD — The West Milford Animal Shelter Society held its first ever 5K Run/Walk fundraiser last Saturday. Runners and walkers of all ages, families, and civic groups participated in the event. Groups and individuals also sent donations of food and supplies for the shelter.

Race Director/Organizer Deirdre Bough said she began planning the event early in January, coordinating with the USA Track & Field (USATF) organization for official sanctioning, certification and records validation, arranging publicity through local news publications, Facebook, and flyers, and arranging an online advance registration option for participants.

Bough said she kept the costs of the race to a minimum - $3,000 - in order to maximize the profit of the event for the animal shelter, which is all volunteer run.

Bough’s months of planning and hard work paid off big for the Animal Shelter: 333 participants registered for the event, each donating between $20 and $30 depending on their age and when they registered.

Raceday
It was a beautiful spring morning; perfect for the race. After registration, participants got a great warm-up led by Lisa of "Live Well, Be Fit." The race began at 9 a.m.

The course began in front of the Transportation Depot just down Highlander Drive from Macopin Middle School, and continued up past the school on Highlander right onto Maple Road, to a turnaround point just before Macopin Road, then followed the same route back to Macopin School.

Refreshments by Bagel Town Café and ShopRite, spring water provided by Newater Systems, and DJ Music by Andrew Entertainment, were waiting at the school for the finishers upon their return.

Awards and prizes
Girl Scouts were on hand to assist with the random selection of winners by bib number for door prizes that were provided by many local businesses. Winners received coupons and gift certificates for pet care from local animal care hospitals, gym memberships, pharmacy/gift, supermarket, dining, auto-repair/maintenance, haircuts/styling, and a plethora of specialty gift baskets.

Race results
Bough said it was a wonderfully successful event, and she was especially proud when her best friend, Alyssa Douma, a track and field coach for West Milford High School, was the first female to cross the finish line and second overall.

Top Three Male finishers: Marty Doherty, Michael Thenell, and Demott Post.

Top Three Female finishers: Alyssa Douma, Lindsay Masessa, and Samantha Kee

The top three male and female finishers received trophies for their accomplishments. The top three male and top three female finishers in each age group received medals for their achievements. Trophies and medals were provided by Blue Ribbon Trophies & Awards, Inc.

For a full list of finishers, go to westmilfordmessenger.com.