Bowers, a Silver Creek native, finished first among women (and second overall) in the women’s 5-kilometer race. Ten minutes later she was at the starting line for the 8-kilometer race, where she again finished first among women and third overall. She became the first person of either sex to win both races since a 5K run was added to the Laurel Run/Walk lineup in 2023.

Tomasik, who lives in Orchard Park, won the men’s 8K race for the third straight year. Eyasu, a Buffalo resident, won the men’s 5K.

Complete race results can be viewed at buffalorunners.com.

Western New York Finish Line Services handled the timing of the races and management of the finish line. Members of the Silver Creek Fire Police monitored traffic to help keep participants safe while they were on the 5K and 8K courses. Members of the Silver Creek Emergency Squad rode in an ambulance, accompanying participants.

Tadios Eyasu of Buffalo, who won the men’s 5K, displays the participation medal all 8K and 5K participants received after crossing the finish line. The ceramic medals were made by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their support staff at The Resource Center. Submitted photo

Other activities that took place were a children’s fun run and Laurel’s Legacy Lap, which was for anyone with a disabling condition.

Event sponsors included Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Kinetic, The Post-Journal, OBSERVER, Kwik Fill, Silver Creek Family Dentistry, Nestle Purina, Hae Jude, Jim White’s, Native Pride, Great Lakes Physician Practice, Dr. David P. Vona, Radack & Hartnett, the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities, Bob and Gail Miller, Kix Country, and the Village of Silver Creek. Many other area businesses and residents donated money, items or services to support the event. Duy Plan from Duy Phan Media was the event photographer.

The Laurel Run was created in 1997 by Silver Creek residents Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in honor of their daughter Laurel, who had Down syndrome. Thanks to the support she received from her family, her community and The Resource Center, Laurel had a full and productive life. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 54.

Money raised through the Laurel Run/Walk goes to Filling the Gap Inc., which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County. Event proceeds are directed to The Resource Center Laurel Run Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and are used to promote disability awareness initiatives, enhance independence and provide employment and work training opportunities for people with disabilities.

Beginning this year, a portion of the Laurel Run/Walk proceeds will be directed to the Dr. John Vona Smile Fund at the Community Foundation. This new fund was established by the children of Dr. Vona, a longtime dentist in Northern Chautauqua County who spent the last 20 years of his career at TRC Community Health Center. Dr. Vona, who died last year, was passionate about ensuring the oral health of people with disabilities, and the Smile Fund was created to provide money so people with special needs can access quality dental care.

Zachary Tomasik of Orchard Park celebrates with his son, Tony, after winning the men’s 8K for the third straight year. Submitted photo

Wayne Hotelling was pleased with how this year’s event went, and he thanked all who had a hand in making it a success.

“It was one of the most perfect days we’ve had in 10 or 12 years,” he said, explaining that the weather was nice and that everything seemed to flow smoothly. He also was pleased to note that the number of participants increased significantly from the prior year. “Elaine and I are just so grateful for the support the community continues to show for this event.”

For the men, Eyasu was followed by Samuel Bowers (21:25) and Daniel Thies Jr. (23:06) in the 5K race.

For the women, Bowers was followed by Leah Mays (21:13) and Emma Golembieski (23:17).

In the 10 & Under Division, Nolan Cook took first in 36:50, followed by Carter Cruz (57:27) and Maxwell Wade (1:00.25).

In the 11-14 Division, Westin Kaminski won the boys race in 30:19, followed by Vincent Golembieski (32:45). Lilly Shaw won the girls race in 29:49, followed by Aubrey Waite (32:24) and Emma Raczka (35:03).

Frankie Laspesa won the boys 15-19 Division with a time of 23:28, followed by Ben Bock (23:31) and Caden Fote (24:08). For the girls, Hanan Mohamad Narvaez won in 23:31, followed by Emily Bain (24:44) and Madison Thompson (36:16).

Ella Conley won the women’s 20-24 Division with a time of 31:34, followed by Emma Bensen (31:36) and Chloe Vecchio (33:16). For the men, Nathaniel Bock won in 38:41, followed by Riley Wilson (47:31) and Joseph Bowers (54:02).

In the 25-29 Division, Travis Maxwell won the men’s race in 32:15, followed by Samuel Garcia (38:31) and Chris Langer (1:07.25). For the women, Janelle Cossin won in 56:56, followed by Sonya Bayba-Kotera (1:00.56).

Brandon Hart claimed the men’s 30-34 Division with a time of 24:36, followed by Casey Przybyciel (25:27) and Kyle Smith (31:47). Kimberly Tomasik won the women’s race in 26:31, followed by Sara Sobecki (32:24) and Katie Leverentz (33:54).

Kayleigh Schwertfager won the women’s 35-39 Division with a time of 40:07, followed by Sarah Burns (40:57) and Natalie Payne (52:40). Mike Hoerbelt was the only men’s runner in the 35-39 Division with a time of 55:33.

Scott Thompson took the men’s 40-44 Division with a time of 34:24, followed by John Fisher (38:33) and Matt Gorka (55:30). For the women’s Stacie Peters won with a time of 38:51, followed by Beth Waite (50:03) and Janette Kaminski (53:52).

Nathan Crites (57:03) and Amy Lewis (54:38) were the only runners in the 45-49 Divisions.

In the 50-54 Division, Paul Bock won the men’s race in 38:19, followed by David Leverentz (38:39) and John Conley (49:59). Karin Snyder won the women’s race in 53:22, followed by Juliette Elwell (56:58) and Amy Seiders (57:02).

William Powell won the men’s 55-59 Division in 37:01, followed by Steven Fonseca (41:45) and John Donovan (52:47). Melissa Congdon won the women’s race in 53:22, followed by Marianne Bowers (54:04) and Sabrina Clyde (55:42).

Rich Norton claimed the 60-64 men’s title in 44:14, followed by Charles Burmaster (57:43). Cheryl Poppenberg won the women’s race in 52:34, followed by Nancy Zoda (55:21) and Susan Lavrito (55:25).

Jan Scotto and Angelika tied for the women’s 65-69 Division in 55:55.

Mike Makuch was the only men’s 70-74 runner and finished in 54:50. Christina Makuch finished in 54:49.

Judy Mowery finished in 48:41 for the 75-79 women’s Division.

Knights of the Marauding Hornets won the team title, followed by Nestle Purina and AG Team.

At the 8K distance, Zachary Tomasik won the men’s title in 30:23, followed by Michael Gregoire (31:41) and Jakob McDaneld (33:11). Emily Bowers won the women’s title in 31:54, followed by Leah Mays (41:18) and Lily League (42:47).

Benjamin Bock was the only 11-19 Division boys runner and finished in 55:59. Hanan Mohamad Narvaez finished in 55:59 to beat Gabriella Gregoire (1:06.02) in the girls race.

In the 20-29 Division, Rayven Sample won the men’s race in 35:13, ahead of Clayton Kircher (43:31) and Austin Mitchell (45:37). Kaitlyn Huffman won the women’s race in 52:55, ahead of Emma Pryll (58:30).

Alex Krywoschyj was the lone men’s runner in the 30-39 Division and finished in 43:46. Molly Smith won the women’s race in 43:55, ahead of Kaydie Milks (1:02.6).

In the women’s 40-49 Division, Rosanne Carr’s 48:30 beat Elizabeth Westman’s 55:49.

In the 50-59 Division, Steven Godfrey won the men’s race in 47:00 while Michael Pecoraro was second in 47:08 and Densil Wilson was third in 49:19. Jennifer League won the women’s race in 50:35, followed by Mickalene Cross (56:36) and Kerry Sweatman (1:13.30).

Joe Campbell claimed the 60-69 men’s Division in 36:52, followed by James Sacco (45:49) and Michael MacAluso (57:38). Denise Feinen was the lone women’s runner and finished in 58:28.

Timothy Dreher was the top 70 & Over men’s runner with a time of 56:09. Timo Geiger finished in 1:03.43. Stacey Curry was the lone women’s runner and finished in 1:09.44.

Knights of the Marauding Hornets was the team champion.