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‘Pace Against Polio’ 5K Race Results Announced

Candid of some race participants at the starting line. Submitted photo

Over 30 participants ran or walked the “Pace Against Polio” 5k course in Westfield on the cool, damp morning of Nov. 26. Top overall finishers of this charity event, which was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville, were as follow: Jason Almeter (Westfield), top male youth and overall first place, with a time of 19:46; Noreen See (Indiana, PA), top female adult, 24:22; Matthew Damcott (Westfield), top male adult, 24:46; and Katie Almeter, top female youth, 30:00.

About his race experience, Jason Almeter said, “I participated in the race because I love to run and compete against others. I am always looking to improve my running skills, and my favorite part is trying to beat my own best times. The hill on this course made for good training!” Katie Almeter, Jason’s sister, stated, “It was a fun race and I tried running my best, as it was for a good cause. It was cold, and the hills were hard, but after you crossed the finish line, you felt good about yourself!”

Top female adult participant Noreen See, who was visiting local relatives during the Thanksgiving weekend, said, “I’m always looking for a good race. I really like the course, because I was able to warm up before the hills, which came half way through the route. The course was not too challenging, and the finish was all downhill, so I had a bit better time than usual. I participated in this event because I like to support charities.” Matthew Damcott, top male adult participant, added, “I was told about the race by my running partner. To run in a race that would help someone that has a medical condition, such as polio, makes it even more important to participate. I thought the course was great, but challenging. I felt really excited to win!”

Each participant received a “goodie bag” of items, and those registered by Nov. 11 received an event t-shirt. After the race, numerous lucky individuals were the winners of 15 Chinese auction items and baskets, and Beth Tarpley was named as the 50/50 winner.

Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville “Pace Against Polio” Event Chair Adele Harrington reported, “For our inaugural 5k race, we were delighted to have such wonderful community support. In addition, we had many corporate sponsors, which helped to make this charity event such a success.”

An estimate of the net proceeds from this event is $1,500, all of which will be donated to Rotary International’s PolioPlus Fund for its global efforts to fight and eradicate the crippling disease of polio.

Jim Wakeman, Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville PolioPlus Challenge Chair and also Club Foundation Chair, stated, “Thank you to our race participants, sponsors, event chair Adele Harrington, and other Rotarians and friends of Rotary who helped at the race and/or purchased a t-shirt. The money raised, when matched locally and at the Rotary International level, may buy 16,000 doses of polio vaccine for children.”

This Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges all of the generous sponsors of this charity event. The “Patriots Against Polio” $100 Sponsors were FairPoint Communications — Community First; Janet Greene; “Chautauqua Sunrise” with Doc Hamels; Westfield Women of the Moose #517; Mark Forbes; FairPoint Communications; Pinehurst Golf Club; Tracy S. Bennett, CPA; and The Parkview Cafe. The “Patrons Against Polio” $50 Sponsor was Dan Young, Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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