The 7th Annual Ossining MATTERS 5k Run/2 Mile Walk Helped Start the New School Year on a High Note

Runners at the start od Ossining MATTERS 5K Trail Run

Race start 2009, in front of the Ossining Post Office - All photos by Neal Temple

Ossining community members, athletes, and runners, ranging in age from seven to seventy-four, were joined at the starting line by participants from all over Westchester and beyond, including a runner from Philadelphia. 125 Ossining student athletes, from 7 different Ossining sports teams, participated this year. After warm-ups led by Club Fit’s Missy Murray and an a capella rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by the Ossining School District’s Cultural Arts Director, Bradley Morrison, the race was on. Tina Hoyt and OHS alum Jesse McCormick led the pack, finishing with the top female and male times overall. Ossining Athletic Director Jim Dennett awarded trophies to them, and to the fastest male and female Ossining Union Free School District residents, Noah Pearce and Sharon Edmonds, as well as first place student finishers Melanie Silverstein and Evan Olin, plus the top three male and female finishers in each age group. And all participants eight and under received ribbons.

Ossining Mayor Bill Hanauer and members of the Police Department and the Recreation Department, along with scores of community volunteers, helped make the day the huge success it was. Dozens of Ossining MATTERS volunteers registered and checked in participants on race day; handed out this year’s t-shirts; took photos and video; marked the race course; and clipped timing chips from runners’ shoes. The Ossining football and swim teams, in addition to participating in the Run/Walk, volunteered their services for set-up and cleanup in the Community Center. Members of the school board and district administration served water to the runners and walkers along the way.

Inside the community center, runners and walkers returned to find the Ossining Teachers’ Association serving up refreshments donated by local businesses and restaurants; terrific student musicians; and the high school drama club staffing the kids’ festival, with games, prizes, face painting, and balloons. Friends and neighbors enjoyed the chance to catch up on news of the summer and the new school year as the last runners came in.

“What a turnout! We are fortunate to live in such an amazingly generous community, where so many people are eager to make better educational opportunities for our students a top priority,” said Ossining MATTERS President Ginny Loughlin. “This support is just tremendous. Thank you all!” added Run/Walk Chair Kathleen Crowley McCulloch.

Congratulations to all who participated, and many thanks to the volunteers, fans, supporters, donors, and community sponsors whose dedication and contributions made the event possible.

See more photos from the race, race results and a full list of our sponsors and donors.