Fun and excitement, plus plenty of athletic ability was on display this morning.
Under rainy skies amid humid temperatures on Saturday morning, the 7th annual, Nicholas J. Sacco Foundation 5K Race/Walk was held in North Bergen. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $200,000 for scholarships and food pantry donations.
The event has grown each year, with nearly 600 runners participating today. The race began outside of Bruins Stadium in James J. Braddock Park, made its way down Bergenline Avenue and over to Boulevard East, before returning to Bruins Stadium for the finish line.
The race was broken up in male and female runners, with numerous age categories. This year’s overall winner was Jose de la Cruz, a West New York resident and graduate of Memorial High School, who finished the race in 16 minutes 8 seconds. The women’s category was won for the second straight year by North Bergen’s Christine Villa. Mayor Sacco’s 9-year old grandson Nate won in his age category, bringing a smile to the Mayor’s face.
Ask them how they cleared the park out? What a joke! The mayor and NB police called a private tow company to tow cars at over 300 each for his charity race on June 28th. The Park is the Hudson County jurisdiction and not the town, so why is NB police calling to have cars towed from there? Shady business!!!! And charged a minimum of 350 to get ur car back from towing company. Baloney!!! They could have just relocated the cars! Or charged a discounted cost because it was a charity event involved. What a joke!!!! And this was supposed to be a charity race? Unbelievable. Why do that to people?
They tried to charge me 515 dollars saying my chvy camaro was an SUV!! Bulllshhhhhh!!! I had to cars towed and it cost me almost $900. That sucks.
Honestly, I love this race. I am a North Bergen resident, and have competed since the first year of this race (2015). I missed last year due to being diagnosed with cancer and a heart attack I had the year before. It was pleasure to compete, and it was well planned & executed race. Mayor Sacco is always there to shake your hand at the finish line. My only complaint is that the free stuff at the race was very scarce this year. I could not even get a t-shirt.