By:LARRY MAIER
Fundraising run a success
Claudia Rotondo hung her rosary beads on a bush in her yard the night before the big race. A friend told her this was a sure way to guarantee good weather for the following day. The beads, and perhaps a little luck of the Irish, worked and weather conditions were perfect on March 17 running of the 18th Annual Baldwin Council Against Drug Abuse St. Patrick's Day 5K.
One hundred and sixteen local athletes competed in this year's race. The overall winner was 30-year-old Oceanside resident George Schroeder, who finished in a personal best time of 16:20. Schroeder, a high school teacher and track coach, won his second straight race on the Baldwin Harbor course, having placed first in the Baldwin Pumpkin Run 5K last October.
The first male Baldwin finisher was Brian McNamara who covered the 3.1 miles in 18:49.
Baldwin resident Diane Bownes was the top female finisher. Bownes ran the race in 19:26 and finished 13th overall. This was Diane's first year participating in the BCADA run but she vowed to return next year to defend her title, especially after learning more about what the race supports. It's a good cause that's for sure,Bownes said.
All proceeds from the day's race went to benefit BCADA, a non-profit substance abuse prevention agency that services the needs of the Baldwin community. Rotondo, the agency's executive director, said that in the past the race has raised as much as $3,500 for BCADA, money desperately needed to pay rent, utilities, and salaries.
Standing beneath the finish line banner and watching runner after runner cross the line, Rotondo thanked all those who came out to support the agency, especially those who come out year after year. We couldn't do what we do if they didn't support us,Rotondo said.
Baldwin finishers at the BCADA St. Patrick's Day 5K Run
Place Name Sex Age Time
8 Brian McNamara M 43 18:49
10 Alan Goon M 40 19:21
12 Charlie Hamilton M 47 19:23
13 Diane Bownes F 35 19:26
14 Sandro Nasciento M 32 19:34
17 Joshua Cheron M 26 19:51
18 Kaveh Moghbeli M 19 19:51
22 Alan Wong M 52 21:33
23 Michael White M 47 21:38
26 Jeff Vastano M 40 21:38
27 James Cirone M 33 22:03
42 Robert O'Mahony M 12 23:35
44 Jennifer Alt F 37 23:51
47 Jaraan Torres M 10 24:06
49 Mark Kistoo M 24 24:10
55 Mark Maguire M 43 25:06
56 John Staley M 51 25:08
57 Jessica Hamilton F 14 25:36
65 Sara Dowling F 14 27:29
66 Ernest Garzilli M 52 27:30
67 Avasa Jagan F 12 27:46
70 Debbie Quinn F 44 28:07
71 Tim White M 10 28:11
72 Susan Dillon F 41 28:12
73 Robert Paskoff M 42 28:22
74 Maureen Breitwieser F 48 28:27
75 Ann White F 43 28:37
83 Kevin McKeon M 46 29:52
84 Robert O'Mahony M 44 29:52
85 Kerry Canham F 9 30:54
87 Yadira Sol F 11 31:15
89 Barbara Palmeri F 45 32:07
90 Nicole Lein F 13 32:28
91 Lauren Nordrovicki F 14 32:28
93 Laureen Sandtoro F 13 32:45
94 Brian Wynne M 50 33:20
95 Barbara Libman F 65 33:23
96 Kelly Canham F 11 33:57
99 Judy Nasciento F 30 34:46
102 Kevin Bartlett M 13 35:13
105 Michael Magovero M 12 39:14
106 Debra Wynne F 49 40:21
107 Caitlin Bery F 11 42:00
108 Carolyn Wynne F 10 42:02
109 Nora Wynne F 13 44:06
110 Katie Munster F 10 44:07
111 Catherine Carroll F 67 48:38
