WEST NEWBURY — The 20th annual Apple Harvest Run drew a larger-than-anticipated crowd of runners and spectators from the North Shore and beyond at the Sunday, Oct. 4, event. The run was held at the Bachelor Athletic Fields and Action Cove Playground and included a USATF-certified 5-mile road race, a new USATF-certified 5K run and health walk, and a 1-mile fun run.
"We've very excited about the results of this year's event," said Maureen Hart Mooney, race director. "We had over 700 runners participate, a significant increase over past years. Feedback from the running community on the invigorating course and the new 5K route was very positive.
"Our 20th anniversary celebration 'Fuel Up' spaghetti dinner held Saturday night was a smash hit and may turn into an annual community event."
Mooney thanked all the sponsors, especially the platinum sponsor, Provident Bank, and gold sponsors: West Newbury School of Music, Executive Gourmet Services, Cafe Valverde, Smyth Graphics and Active Life Chiropractic.
The day's activities included entertainment by West Newbury School of Music, children's activities, and home-baked goods from Page School parents and numerous local businesses. Warm-up exercises were led by Page School gym teacher Amy Wilson, and the 5-mile and 5K events were kicked off by police Chief Lisa Holmes.
Principal Liz Perry presided over the Fun Run, which had more than 200 children participating. Events wrapped up with a raffle for a mountain bike and police car ride donated by Riverside Cycles in Newburyport and the West Newbury Police respectively.
The event is a fundraiser for the John C. Page Elementary School, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting educational and cultural programs for its students.
The Fun Run was won by Jeff Lea Guldemond and Lucas Brennan, both of West Newbury.
The overall 5-mile race winners were Jeff Kelly of Byfield and Kelly Bradbury of Newburyport.
The overall 5K race winners were John Ellis of West Newbury and Emily Block of Stratham.
A summary of overall winners for each race follows. For full results of the race, visit www.coolrunning.com.
Race results
Winners of the 1-mile Fun Run
Male
1. Lucas Brennan
2. Alex Kresge
3. Nate Hey
Female
1. Lea Guldemond
2. Rebecca Torrisi
3. Lauren Triglione¬
Results of 5-mile race
Male:
1. Jeff Kelly, Byfield, 29:47
2. Greg Balog, Amesbury, 30.59
3. Bob Strout, Salisbury, 31:17
Female:
1. Kelly Bradbury, Newburyport, 34:08
2. Jana Schulsen, Newburyport, 34:26
3. Holly Cole, West Newbury, MA, 35:19
Results of 5K race
Male:
1. John Ellis, West Newbury, 18:54
2. Jim Chute, Brentwood, N.H., 19:13
3. T.R. Ramsdell, Beverly, 20:49
Female:
1. Emily Block, Stratham, N.H., 21:06
2. Jane Ciccone, West Newbury, 21:48
3. Pam Butler, Manchester, N.H., 22:47
