Arc Friends and Family 5K Results
Written by Dan Fischer on September 18, 2018
A Genesee County man and Monroe County woman were the overall winners in the 14th Annual Friends & Family 5K September 15 in Elba. Brandon Rebert of Oakfield crossed the finish line with a time of 19:03, and Elizabeth Bender of North Chili, 44 seconds later at 19:47.
Brandon Rebert of Oakfield and Elizabeth Bender of North Chili
The weekend’ heat and humidity took a toll on even the most experienced runners. “We were ready with over 25 cases of water,” said Race Director Sandy Konfederath. “For the middle of September – this was our hottest 5K in the decade our race has been in Elba.”
There were 187 registered for the event’s Saturday 5K, with 161 completing the course with an official time. An additional 115 people participated in the fun walk, an abbreviated route.
First and second place prizes were awarded in eight age groups for the 5K.
Age 12 and under(F) – Zoe Naim, Amherst, 44:22, (no 2nd place in this age group); (M) Anthony Abbatiello, Batavia, 26:44 and Chase Cummings, LeRoy, 36:48.
13 to 18 – (F) Grace Graney, Buffalo, 29:14 and Corey Miller Williams, Batavia, 45:14; (M) Rodney Egli, Newark, 21:50 and Bryson Tobolski, Oakfield, 22:22.
19 to 29 – (F) Kimberly Mills, Oakfield, 22:27 and Kerry Mills, Basom, 24:20; (M) Justin Bender, North Chili, 19:55 and Justin Di Falco, LeRoy, 22:00.
30 to 39 – (F) Brittany Janicki, Cheektowaga, 24:11 and Amanda Bisig, Bergen, 27:22; (M) Andrew LaForce, Batavia, 21:52 and Kevin Andrews, LeRoy, 28:21.
40 to 49 – (F) Julie Tobolski, Oakfield, 27:54 and Jill Carter, Alden, 28:18; (M) James Moulds, Aurora Ontario, 22:59 and Dan Smith, LeRoy, 23:07.
50 to 59 – (F) Jill Graney, Buffalo, 23:50 and Lisa VanDeMark, Brockport, 29:12; (M) Allen Dise, Albion (2nd overall), 19:24 and Kevin Sheehan, Victor, 20:06.
60 to 69 – (F) Kathleen Donhauser, Williamsville, 29:31 and Toni Mills, Basom, 31:52; (M) Bruce Carter, Alden, 24:18 and Jeffrey Scott, Batavia, 24:22.
70 and over – (F) Joan Roberts, Yorkshire, 1:02:34 and Betsy Dexheimer, Batavia, 1:02:59 (M) Sid Bolton, Albion, 34:19 and Ed Russell, East Amherst, 35:08.
Runners, representing all areas of Western New York were joined by out-of-state runners from Texas, Virginia, New Mexico and Ohio. Complete race results are online at www.pcr-timing.com.
Title sponsor of the Friends & Family 5K is Webster Szanyi LLP; health & wellness sponsor, MVP Health Care; corporate sponsor, Parkview Health Services; media sponsor, WBTA; T-shirt sponsor, Genesee Valley Penny Saver and Awards Sponsor, Case-Nic Cookies.
Eighty area businesses and families supported the 5K as donors and community cares, bluebonnet, blue spruce, neighbor-to-neighbor and friends & family sponsors. Food and party sponsors included: T. F. Brown’s, Center Street Smokehouse, Tops Friendly Markets, Ficarella’s Pizza, Upstate Farms, Crickler Vending and Tim Hortons. Post party music was provided by the Buffalo Road Show featuring Babe and Jimmy Catino.
A dozen local farmers and growers donated everything from apples, tomatoes and peppers to, eggplant and onions for the Taste of the Country Display so event participants could take a little bit of the country home with them.
Arc of Genesee Orleans would like to thank chairman Charles Graney, event volunteers, Elba Highway Superintendent Mark Yungfleisch, the Elba Town Board, Elba Fire Police, Mercy EMS and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department for their support and assistance with this event.
Money raised in the Friends & Family 5K helps fund the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship for area high school students interested in pursuing a career in human services, special education or related fields. Mrs. Graney was a dedicated parent, a longtime supporter of Genesee ARC, and a strong advocate for persons with developmental disabilities. In 2017, the Friends & Family 5K combined forces with the former 5K held in memory of Arc staff member Terri Carr Krieger. Terri was a long-time employee of the Arc, who lost her battle with cancer in 1997.
