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Ossining MATTERS Third Annual 5K Trail Run/2 Mile Walk

See more photos from the 2005 Race

The third time’s definitely a charm for Ossining MATTERS:  Ophelia’s forecast rains stayed away Saturday morning, and the sun and the crowds came out instead for the Education Foundation’s Third Annual 5K Trail Run/2 Mile Walk. The event, which raised over $11,000, brought out 9 different OHS varsity, junior varsity, and modified teams, scores of parents and students, community members, and runners from all over the tri-state area, for a total of more than 600 participants.

The competitive portion of the event, the 5K Trail Run scored by the Westchester Track Club, drew 266 runners this year, an increase of nearly one-third over last year. Runners as spry as 6 and as seasoned as 70 finished the course in less than 49 minutes.  The walkers - who included neighbors and parents, babies in backpacks, and plenty of preschoolers - took their time and enjoyed the company and the scenery. 

Over 100 volunteers helped to make the day the big success it was. Dozens of Ossining MATTERS volunteers registered and checked in participants on race day; handed out this year’s t-shirts, designed by an OHS graduate; took photos; and served refreshments, donated by local businesses and restaurants, at the end of the race. Members of the school board and district administration handed out water to the runners and walkers along the way – with the exception of OHS Principal Josh Mandel, who finished the race in the top 65 overall, ahead of all but a handful of the varsity athletes. The OHS Marching Band and Color Guard got the morning off to a rousing start, and OHS Cheerleaders encouraged the participants as they stepped off and as they reached the finish line.

Congratulations to all who participated, and many thanks to all the volunteers and community sponsors whose contributions made the race possible.