By Rob Potter
ROCK HILL — June 22, 2007 — Nearly 700 runners participated in Saturday’s 15th annual Rhulen Rock Hill Run & Ramble 5K race in honor of Walter A. Rhulen, founder of Frontier Insurance.
At the awards ceremony following the event, race chairperson Suzy Rhulen-Loughlin, the daughter of Walter A. Rhulen, announced that after expenses, more than $50,000 had been raised by the participants. Those proceeds will be donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America, which raises money to fight blood-related cancers, and the R4 Patient Fund.
This year, the R4 Patient Fund will benefit Brittany Marie Beckmann, a 16-year-old honor student at Monticello High School who was diagnosed with leukemia back in April.
Weeks before Saturday’s race, several of Brittany Beckmann’s family members, friends, neighbors and teachers formed “Team Brittany.” The team members collected money for the R4 Patient Fund and then participated in the event.
Members of Team Brittany included Steve Bardalino, Ashley Beckmann, Brandon Beckmann, Judy Buffa, Carly Bulaga, Jesse Campanaro, Kelly Carpinone, Mikey Carpinone, Emma Cohen, Daria Coney, Lisa Coney, Scott Fitchett, Christian Giunta, Joanna Goldfarb, Hollie Hall, Peggy S. Johnson, Paul Manz, Sheryl Manz, Rebecca Perlman, Jennifer Pfeister, Kelly Pfeister, Amanda Spear, Karen Stryeski, Colleen Thomas, Matthew Thomas, Hailey VanKeuren and Rachel Zager.
During the postrace awards ceremony, the runners and sponsors were celebrated for their efforts in helping the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as well as the R4 Patient Fund. Rhulen-Loughlin noted that the race was the biggest ever in terms of the number of participants and money raised.
A total of 691 runners and walkers finished the race.
Rhulen-Loughlin, her brother Harry Rhulen and several race volunteers honored the area businesses that have sponsored the Rhulen Rock Hill Run and Ramble since it began in 1993. Owners or representatives of those sponsors were presented with special plaques.
Those sponsors included Leisure Time Spring Water; WSUL; Steingart Printing; Allees Sign Company; Gallery of the Lakes; The Trading Post; Yasgur’s Farm; M & M Auto Group; Monticello Bagel Bakery; Woodbourne Lawn and Garden; A. Alport & Sons; Gary Berson, DDS; Levine, Glass & Miller; VEO – Van Etten Oil Co. and Wyde Lumber Company.
“These are sponsors who support their community,” Harry Rhulen said. “When you do business in the community, please do it with these people.”
Joseph Ekvom of Kingston won the 5K race. The 37-year-old completed the 3.1-mile course in a time of 15 minutes, 17 seconds.
He was followed closely by Kassahun Kabisco of Beams (15:29), Harun Koinange of Kingston (15:38), Andy Latincsics of Newton, NJ (16:16) and Raymond Ravell of Wurtsboro (17:15).
The first woman to cross the finish line was Hareg Sidelele of the Bronx. She finished sixth overall with a time of 17:16.
“It was a very nice race,” said Sidelele, who was competing in her first R4 race.
The rest of the top 25 finishers included:
7. Jim Phelan, age 43, Montgomery, 17:33
8. Justin Mozgiel, 37, Cornwall 17:41
9. John Korevec, 19, Rock Hill, 18:05
10. Greg Lewis, 15, Livingston Manor, 18:17
11. Manisa Hanson, 44, Pleasant Valley, 18:18
12. Dan Brennai, 39, 18:25
13. Tom Manza, 51, Monticello, 18:29
14. Andy McKean, 37, Bethel, 18:30
15. Peter Verdesi, 39, Beacon, 18:38
16. Wayne McDaniel, 47, Hopewell Junction, 18:40
17. Franz Scholten, 46, Greenville, 18:49
18. Micah Hoernig, 31, Monroe, 18:53
19. Cathleen Ford, 19, Cornwall-on-Hudson, 18:56
20. Matthew Gawors, 20, Middletown, 18:58
21. Steven Pike, 38, Montague, NJ, 18:59
22. Todd Jennings, 22, Monroe, 19:01
23. Joseph Glauda, 23, Beacon, 19:05
24. Nicholas Denman, 18, Neversink, 19:06
25. Jesse Anser, 15, Warwick, 19:08
Note: Please see more race results in Tuesday’s issue.