The 4th annual Strides Against Violence 5K Run in Jersey City’s Lincoln Park was held on Saturday morning. Hosted by Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, the race looks to draw attention to the need to eliminate gun violence.
Approximately 500 runners took part in the event, which has grown in size each year. The County Executive, a former Jersey City police officer, stated that if drawing attention to violence can help prevent at least one person from being a victim, then the event has done its job.
Guy also stressed that debate among people does not mean violence has to occur. Talking out problems and differences should be the goal of everyone.
The race was run by recent New Jersey City University graduate Jaime Tlatelpa in a time of 16 minutes, 18 seconds. He outdistanced the second place male finisher by a wide margin, 1 minute, 58 seconds. The first woman to finish was Brooklyn resident Brianna Davis, who came in third last year. The top children’s finisher was 12-year old, Jersey City resident Agastya Mahesh. The 7th grader only recently took up running.
All in all, it was a beautiful Saturday morning with a very important message provided by County Executive Guy and the race organizaers.