Jim Jones Glen Rock Gazette
Aidan Walsh is the new race director of the Glen Rock 9/11 Tribute Run that will be staged for the 12th straight year on July 4 but he is no stranger to the event. The 35-year-old road race veteran was runner-up in last year’s 5K race.
Walsh, who is also director of the Ridgewood Run and the Westwood/Run the Reservoir Half Marathon, said he is excited for the race and hopes that Glen Rock residents will continue to remain behind it as they have in the past.
The main race sponsor is Glen Rock Savings Bank. The 2K junior run will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K start is at 9 a.m.
The participants assemble at Veterans Park and run the 4th of July parade route prior to the start of the parade. Most runners and friends stay to enjoy that event.
Awards will be given in the 5K to the top male and female finishers, the top three finishers in five-year age groups and other categories.
Race proceeds benefit GRACE (Glen Rock Assistance Council and Endowment), an organization set up after 9/11 to provide assistance to family members of those who died in the terrorist attacks.
Grace continues its mission by maintaining the 9/11 Memorial in the borough and providing scholarships funds to high school seniors in memory of Paul Andrew Acquaviva, Grace Alegre-Cua, Sean Caton, Anthony Dionisio, Jr., Brendan Dolan, Timothy J. Finnerty, Joseph Francis Holland III, Damian Meehan, David Robert Meyer, Richard Morgan and Daniel M. Van Laere.
Theresa Roberts and Colleen Golden, who have been race coordinators since the run began, are taking a break this year but will be on the scene for the run’s 12th edition.
Six hundred participants turned out for last year’s event, and 476 completed the 5K race. Two meet records fell in the 5K. Rob Albano, 23, of Pompton Plains posted a new standard as he led the field in the time of 15:00.4 to break the overall male record.
Alexandra Walter, who made a promising debut as a freshman on Glen Rock High cross-country and track programs this school year, erased the record for a Glen Rock female with a 20:08.5 time. Walter, 13 years old last year, was the second female to finish and was 40th overall.
Other 5K course records are: Glen Rock male, 2011, 15:52, Robert Nihen, age 22, and female overall, 2007, 19:37 Beth O’Connor, age 41.
Registration ends July 1. Race entries are $25 plus $2.50 sign-up fee for the 5K and 2K events. Family rates are also available.
Race information is available at their website.
