A record number of 666 runners and walkers registered for the Randolph Rocks 5K held Sat., June 18, with 605 of them finishing the race.

The event, organized by the Randolph Education Foundation (REF) was supported by more than 65 businesses and local merchants and raised $27,000 to support the students and the teachers in the Randolph Schools.

“We were very impressed with the organization and the sense of community,” said Yuriria Alanis Santoyo, who participated in the race with her family for the first time. “We liked it so much we have promised to run in this race again next year.”

Since 2010, the Randolph Education Foundation has organized the annual 5K as an effort to bring the community together to raise funds to support innovative programs that enrich the educational experience of the students in the Randolph Schools.

Two programs funded by the REF in past years were showcased on race day: the From the Ground Up Greenhouse project run by the Randolph High School (RHS) Greenhouse Club, and the Robots Got Talent also at RHS.

Awards were presented in more than a dozen categories, including top male and female runners, top male and female Randolph residents, and top male and female Randolph teacher or staff members. First place overall for men went to Collin Frost of Randolph who completed the 5K in 16:19 minutes. Carole Harsch of Randolph finished in 19:18 minutes, obtaining the first place overall for women.

Results for the race were tabulated by Elite Racing Systems and are available in the REF’s website:  HYPERLINK “https://www.randolpheducationfoundation.org” www.randolpheducationfoundation.org

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The award for the best team T-shirt competition went to the team from The Goddard School in Randolph, with a design created by five year-old students from the Eagles class, directed by teachers Lisa Anderson and Molly Nicolicchia. The back of the shirt read “We don’t just walk, we Rock!”

Numerous door prizes, donated by local businesses and community members were given away at the race. The grand prize, a Trek 820 Bike valued at $375 and donated by Claire Keller, Drs. Fusco and Caravano, Runner’s Heaven and Marty’s Reliable Cycle, was won by RHS student Cameron Rauchberg.

The township and school district administrations actively participated in the event. Randolph Mayor, Roman B. Hirniak, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Christine Carey, welcomed runners at the start line and wished them luck. Jennifer A. Fano, Interim Superintendent and 2014 Rock Star Administrator of the Year, walked the course with several staff members, and after the race presented the awards for the Randolph Residents and Randolph Teacher/Staff Members categories.

Two local bands – 40 North, comprised of current RHS students, and Jimmy Hoofers, featuring RHS graduates, provided live music along the way to motivate the runners and walkers.  Luke Scanzera, a student at RHS, served as the DJ at the race start and finish lines.

“We are very grateful for the many ways in which volunteers, sponsors, the school district, the teachers, the students, the township and its residents have contributed to the success of the Randolph Rocks 5K.” said Race Director and REF President Margaret Clark.  “It is the support of this great community what encourage the REF to continue to work creating opportunities that inspire teachers to innovate and enable all of our students to thrive.”

More than 65 businesses and local merchants contributed to the success of the event.

“A big thank you to all the business and community members who have sponsored or contributed to the Randolph Rocks 5K,” said Francesca Lavin, REF Board Member and Sponsorship Committee chair.  “Their support makes a difference to the REF, it makes a difference to our teachers and, most importantly, it makes a difference to our students and our community at large.”