Homecoming 5K Raises Money for Cancer

On a perfectly crisp fall morning, and as part of Homecoming Weekend, more than 80 runners from near and far, plus a smaller group of walkers, came together to compete in a 5K race with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society for breast cancer research.  This year's race, sponsored by Zeta Tau Alpha, saw students, alumni, staff and friends compete.

Non-students took the top three slots.  Alumnus Alex Vlahos ’14 timed in at 16:05, followed by alumnus Gary Cuneo ’08 at 16:33 and Daniel Caron at 17:45.  The first female finisher was Liz Reynolds, a non-student, who finished at 19:52.

The top three Merrimack male students over the finish line were Andrew Higgins at 19:56, Scott Bonfanti at 20:17 and Juan Lopez at 20:31, while Emily Mauro at 21:13, Allana Keady at 23:54 and Nicole Bowen at 24:30 represented the top three Merrimack women to finish. 

The father/daughter team of Bill and Lia Nawn pounded the pavement together.  

“Lia has heard plenty of ‘When I was at Merrimack…’ stories,” said alumnus Bill Nawn, who graduated in 1986 with a degree in electrical engineering.  “Doing the 5K run together through the Merrimack community that is now ‘hers’ brought home many positive and rewarding feelings.”

Lia added, “What better way of starting a family-oriented weekend than running with my father.”

This event was initiated in 2010 by Warren Kay, professor of religious and theological studies as part of Homecoming Weekend and has been a fundraiser since 2012, being sponsored by different groups on campus.  Last year’s race raised money for Hope for Haiti.

This year’s course was set up by Matt Gordon, director for campus fitness and recreation, and Allison Gill, associate dean/dean of first year students.

 

 

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