Guilford Rotary Club's Frosty 5K Attracts Record Crowd New Year's Day

This year's Frosty 5K on New Year's Day was a success, attracting 900 runners and walkers that signed up for the race and the 2K health walk, a record crowd for the event. Runners came from 10 states, including such places as Texas and Florida, and 84 different Connecticut towns.

"The event was great this year," Rick Maynard, CPRP Director of Parks, Recreation and Seniors, told Guilford Patch. "It's a great way to start off the New Year, taking a step towards better health and following through on a commitment to stay healthy and active in the new year. 

This year's overall race winner was Tom Day, from Hamden, with a time 16:41, followed by Guilford's own Tim Keneflick, with a time of 16:59. 

"We were really excited that 13-year-old Bridget Selfors, of Old Saybrook, broke the standing women's record for the course, coming in at a time of 18:51," said Maynard. "I was at the finish line and there was just an overwhelming cheer as she was approaching the line, with all of us knowing she was going to do it." 

Both the men's and women's winners each receive a $100 gift certificate donated by Sound Runner and a pair of Red Star sunglasses. According to the pres release, the first Guilford finishers received 3 months free membership donated by Planet Fitness and they received the Red Star sunglasses.  Several divisional winners also received plaques.

"A great addition this year was the kids half-mile fun run for those 10 and under," continued Maynard. "The look on those kids faces as they crossed the finish line, a big smile ear to ear was just awesome." There were 42 'fun runners,' and ribbons provided by Lifetime Care at Home were given to all the participants. 

The day was not only a step towards better health, but also one of giving back.  All entry fees from the 5K run and the health walk go the Guilford Rotary Club’s Warm the Children Fund and the Memorial Educational Fund. Additionally, donations of food or cash donations were required for entry in the kids run and were collected for the Guilford Food Bank.

"This year was the first of our partnership with the Guilford Food Bank," said Maynard. "For the fun run alone, we collected $120 in cash as well as several boxes of food."

The event also speaks to the Guilford community coming together. "There are so many folks who pitch in to make this a successful event every year," continued Maynard. "Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department did a great job of preparing the route, the Guilford Police Department has members that lead and follow the race, and there was a Rotarian at every corner."

"The event would not be possible without our wonderful sponsors, and folks like Michael Sinclaire, Steve Dudley, Joel Galvin and so many others," Maynard concluded. 

If you're interested in the complete race results, including the division winners, visit the Guilford Rotary Club’s website.