The weather was perfect for Northern Essex Community College’s First Annual Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, and everyone—from the children who participated in the Fun Run to the competitive runners who ran the USATF certified 5K—gave the race two thumbs up.

Over 150 runners participated in the 5K, which started and ended on the Haverhill Campus and wound around the surrounding neighborhood. More than 30 children 12 and under participated in the Fun Run which circled around the college track.

Marcie Butler of Methuen, who ran with close to 25 runners from the Merrimack Valley Striders and was the first female finisher in the 31-39 division, wrote “Great race! Great on-course support!” on the college’s Facebook page and promised to be back next year.

Many runners chose to have their photos taken in front of the blue and yellow pansies that spelled out 5K and were located at the start of the race. Credit goes to Paul Tomasz and Rich Brown, the facilities staff members who designed and planted the garden.

NECC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community friends were all well represented.

Catherine Seymour who graduated from Northern Essex in 1972 came all the way from Randolph, VT to participate in the 5K.

Corey Gobbi of Salem, NH was the top male and Kacey Hill of Groveland, MA, a former NECC student, was the top female finisher.

The complete results and a list of age group winners are posted on coolrunning.com.

A date hasn’t been set for the second annual NECC Campus Classic and 5K but there will definitely be one according to race co-chair Lindsey Mayo, director of alumni and donor relations.

“For a first time running an event like this we are very pleased with the results and are so appreciative of everyone who came to support it. The volunteers really helped make this an outstanding event,” said Mayo. “Everyone had a great time and we raised money for two important causes.”

Mayo gave special thanks to Sovereign/Santander, the Platinum Sponsor of the race.

The NECC Campus Classic raised $4,250 and the funding will benefit the NECC Fund, which provides support for student scholarships and academic programs, and OneFundBoston, which has been established to help those affected by the Marathon bombings.

To receive information on next year’s Campus Classic 5K and Fun Run, contact Lindsey Mayo at lmayo@necc.mass.edu or 978 556-3621.

View all photos from the race.