Ninety-two people of all ages decked out in a variety of colorful running garb made up the field for Sunday’s sun-covered third annual Johnston Education Foundation (JEF) 5K road race and walk.
The event raised $976.50, but the event’s success cannot be measured by just money.
Take winner Erik Russo, a 38-year-old Johnstonian who covered the 3.1-mile course by running a 5:41 pace with an overall time of 17minutes and 38 seconds.
“This was a really fast course,” said Russo, who works security, after finishing nearly three minutes ahead of runner-up Edson Munoz (20:19) and third place finisher Ryan Silva (20:51). “It was really windy going down Atwood Avenue … this course was well laid out; the race, in general, was well organized.”
And Russo should know; he’s a regular at a variety of road races and is in training for a half-marathon on Nov. 10.
Russo complimented the non-profit group that supports all schools throughout the town of Johnston for “coordinating a great race on a great course that only had one difficult hill.”
And that hill was when runners and walkers made their way up Memorial Drive and back onto Atwood Avenue.
Russo also praised the committee for having Spitler Race Systems on hand to record each runner and walker’s time.
“Most importantly, though, I’m proud to be part of this entire event; the money is going to a good cause,” said Russo, who is trained by Ray Nelson, a North Kingstown resident who calibrated the 3.1-mile course and does so for most of the races in Rhode Island. “The Johnston Education Foundation is an important group. I hope more and more people come out to support the cause.”
Dr. Bernard “Bernie” DiLullo Jr., Johnston’s superintendent of schools who participated in Sunday’s race, concurred.
“This is a good turnout,” DiLullo said. “These people do a great, great job. They raise money for all our schools. Right now, I think their focus this year will be in our exciting new athletic complex.”
Lisa Dogon, 38, who has been running since her cross country days at Toll Gate High School in Warwick and later at Rhode Island College, won the Women’s Division Sunday.
“I have two daughters in school, that’s why I’m running here today to support this great group,” she said.
Dogon covered the 3.1-mile trek in 22 minutes and 44 seconds after gunning a pace of 7:30. She also made the event a family affair, as her fiancé Al Dogon placed fifth overall in 21minutes and 38 seconds. Her daughter Alexis, 9, also ran the race.
“I just wanted to beat some high school kids today,” Dogon said. “This was a pretty simple course; now, though, I run mostly for my health.”
Sunday’s field also included Robert Russo, president of the Johnston Town Council, who has been running road races since 2009 and is trying to reach a personal best of 24 minutes in 5Ks by year’s end.
“I did 26:34 today,” Russo said after placing 12th overall and beating his brother Greg’s time of 27:41. “But this is an important event for our town and most especially our schools. The Johnston Education Foundation does a great job for our children.”
One of the foundation’s dedicated volunteers is Pat Hannagan, the group’s treasurer who ran her first road race Sunday.
“It’s different than running on the tread mill,” she said after completing the 3.1-mile course in 41 minutes and eight seconds. “Now that’s not bad for a 58-year-old lady.”
Once the race was complete, runners, walkers and admirers enjoyed the post-race awards ceremony that featured JEF officials like Elaine Uva, Deb Spaur, Gail Pereira, Karen French and Hannagan presenting medals to the respective winners.
“This was a great turnout and for that, we thank you,” said JEF president Ray Domaingue. “We had great support from Johnston Senior High, Ferri Middle School, Brown Avenue and Winsor Hill Elementary Schools. We hope to see all you people back here next year.”
The top 10 men finishers were: 1. Erik Russo, 17:38; 2. Edson Munoz, 20:19; 3. Ryan Silva, 20:51; 4. Eric DiLullo, 21;25; 5. Al Dogon, 21:38; 6. Scott Fang, 22:17; 7. Andrew Lema, 23:23; 8. Ed Gallucci, 23:51; 9. Joshua Buona, 23:51; and 10. Jake Hall, 25:53.
The top 10 women finishers were: 1. Lisa Dogon, 22:44; 2. Donna O’Neil, 28:56; 3. Jennifer Turcotte, 29:17; 4. Kayleah Pensalfini, 30:22; 5. Lia Cucinotta, 30:23; 6. Isabelle Russo, 30:58; Audry Turcotte, 31:46; 8. Keriann Gimber, 31:48; 9. Robin DaCosta, 32:23; and 10. Deborah Domaingue, 32:35.
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