Inaugural 5K race held in East Rockaway

The first Rock Rivalry 5K race, hosted by the East Rockaway Education Foundation, was a big hit!

Courtesy Facebook

And they're off!

Tim Baker/Herald

Justin Sommer wins 1st place overall

Tim Baker/Herald

Left to right, 1st place overall girl winner Megan Doyle, 2nd place overall girl winner Lauren Darienzo and 3rd place overall girl winner Jacalyn Sommer.

Tim Baker/Herald

Left to right 1st place overall Justin Sommer, 2nd place overall Ronald Joseph and 3rd place overall Gerry O'Hara

Tim Baker/Herald

Waymon Burress with Keira 6, Joseph 4 and Liam (pointing) 2

Tim Baker/Herald

Volunteers at the water table.

Tim Baker/Herald

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Almost 200 runners came out last Saturday morning for the inaugural East Rockaway Education Foundation’s 5K run walk/run, raising about $9,300 — and counting.

“We plan on making it an annual event,” said EREF president Dan Caracciolo. “This year, we coordinated it with Rock Rivalry, to coincide it with its 80th anniversary.

The money raised, Caracciolo said, will go EREF’s micro-grant program that will help fund them STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program at the high school, including health and fitness programs.

“I can’t thank everyone enough involved in the planning and coordination for both the Inaugural Rock Rivalry 5K Run/Walk, and the Rock Rivalry reunion brunch,” Caracciolo said. “The camaraderie, the community involvement, the reminiscing, and the connection experienced by all was an amazing experience.”  

Theresa Devlin, Annette Buzzolani and others helped coordinate the race.