…and they are off…

Saturday, May 7 was chilly and just a little bit damp, perfect weather for the Fourth Annual Northern Essex Community College Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run.  Nearly 200 runners, representing a wide variety of organizations and communities, participated in this year’s race.

Finishing first overall was Anthony Salvucci of Burlington, MA with a time of 17:47, followed closely by Larry Fowle, 17:59, and Edson Chipalo of Pittsfield, MA, 18:20.

Kirsten Kortz, K-14 education development director at NECC’s Quarrybrook Outdoor Learning Center, of Atkinson, NH, was the top female finisher with a time of 21:32

Kirsten Kortz, K-14 education development director at NECC’s Quarrybrook Outdoor Learning Center, of Atkinson, NH, was the top female finisher with a time of 21:32.  Lauren Hamilton of Beverly, MA, 22:59, and Lisa Doucett of Lowell, 24:11, finished second and third respectively.

NECC President Lane Glenn, who came in first in the 40 to 49 year old age category, with a time of 21:58, said he was pleased to see so many teams participating.  There were runners from Berkshire, Middlesex, and Greenfield community colleges and Lyndon State College in Vermont, which just signed a partnership with Northern Essex.  Other groups included The Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union and Anna Jaques Hospital.

The largest group was the NECC Police Academy which had 40 runners including the men’s winner, Anthony Salvucci.

NECC employees made a strong showing at the NECC Campus Classic. (L to R) Melba Acevedo, Ethel Schuster, NECC President Lane Glenn, Liliana Brand, Gisela Nash, and Emily Gonzalez.

The Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run is an annual college fundraising event held each spring along the Haverhill Campus USATF certified course.  People of all ages and competitive levels, including novices and walkers, are encouraged to take part in this growing campus tradition.  Proceeds benefit the NECC Annual Fund for student scholarships and academic programs.

Special thanks is owed to Covanta Energy Corporate, the Campus Classic’s Platinum Sponsor, and Anna Jaques Hospital, the Silver Sponsor.  In-kind sponsors included b.good, a healthy and delicious restaurant located in North Andover, and Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods.

For more information on the Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, contact Lindsay Graham, lgraham@necc.mass.edu.