The 33rd Annual Brookline Breeze 5K Fitness Run and Walk, along with the One Mile Mini-Breeze Fun Run and Dog Walk, was held on Saturday, August 9, 2014. Over 800 runners and walkers came to Brookline Park to participate in what has become an August tradition in the Brookline community. With the temperature in the low-80s, it was a wonderful day for a morning run or a brisk walk through the heart of the neighborhood.

Planning for the 33rd running began back in January. The new Breeze banner made its first appearance at the annual Memorial Day Parade on May 26. With the seventeen month Brookline Boulevard Reconstruction Project finally drawing to a close, Breeze organizers had high hopes for another fantastic Breeze. Almost the entire race route would consist of smooth, freshly laid asphalt.

While the Breeze Week Car Cruise at the Community Center contributed to the pre-race festivities on the eve of the run, registrations rose to 663. Another strong race-day turnout pushed that total above the 800 mark for the third year in a row. The Brookline Breeze focuses on fitness and healthy lifestyles. These numbers are an encouraging sign in the city-wide campaign to promote an awareness of physical fitness for people of all ages.

While event-goers began arriving and the staff finished the setup work, Brookline's own "The Wurms" took the stage and got things rolling with a soft rendition of "Blueberry Wine." Good Morning and Welcome to the Brookline Breeze!

Throughout the day, band members Jake Zucco, Mark Zucco, Jeff Fetterman and Joe Gordon kept the crowd entertained with a variety of classic rock hits, some excellent Beatles covers, and a few cool tunes from their own repertoire.

Of the 812 entrants in this year's Breeze, it is interesting to note that while the majority of participants were from Brookline and nearby neighborhoods, there was also quite a few runners and walkers that visited from afar. As of Friday evening there were a total of 94 separate zip codes represented on the registration list, and on a national level, there were thirteen states (PA, IL, OH, MO, CA, WI, WV, HI, KA, CO, NC, SC and VA.)

The One-mile Mini-Breeze began at 8:35am, followed shortly afterwards by the Dog Walk. Of the forty-six Mini-Breeze contestants, fourteen-year old Declan Moffatt of Brookline crossed the line first at just over six minutes. He was followed closely by twelve-year old Chris Bittner of Brookline and eight-year old Luke Prezioso of Mount Lebanon. The top lady was eight-year old Katie Lucarelli of Whitehall.

The Dog Walk was once again a success, as ten pooches and their owners took a relaxing stroll along the Mini-Breeze course. The furry friends were adorned in their yellow and black Brookline Breeze bandanas, the latest chic accessory in canine social apparel.

When the clock approached the start of the 5K event, the Keystone Young Marines Color Guard presented our National Colors. The guard included Sgt. Brennon Williams, Sgt. Leonard Bowers, PFC Veronica James and PFC Brent Hover. Afterwards, the National Anthem was sung by Kiersten Swanson.

Breeze runners and walkers were treated to a pass along our main street, the newly renovated Brookline Boulevard.

Once all barricades were in place and the race route cleared by the Course Marshalls, it was time to start the race. City Councilman Corey O'Connor, son of former Mayor Bob O'Connor, fired the starter's pistol to begin the Breeze. The procession of runners and walkers then began their journey through Brookline.

The course took them up the first hill to Edgebrook Avenue, then along the newly reconstructed Brookline Boulevard. A left at Pioneer Avenue led to the turn-around near West Liberty Avenue. Once past Brookline Elementary School, featured on this year's commemorative t-shirts, the last mile and a half of the return trip was all down hill.

Long-time Breeze participant Tim Wu, from Upper St. Clair, crossed the finish line first, with a time of 17:26, to claim the top spot. The female winner was Natalie Finnerty, from Bloomfield, who broke the ribbon at the 18:42 mark. Last year's top female, Lisa Lucas, finished in second place, six seconds short. The top local runners from the Brookline community were Devon Matthews (18:37) and Carrie Chisholm (22:38).

The Brookline Breeze Finish Line as seen from along Brookline Boulevard.

After the race, Brookline Park was alive with activity. While the band played on, runners and walkers helped themselves to a variety of refreshments at the park pavilion, including drinks, fruit, ice cream from Scoops on the Boulevard, and pizza from Antonio's Pizzeria. The Citiparks Roving Art Cart was also present, treating the kids to some cool crafts.

At the start of the post-race ceremony, Breeze Director Clint Burton was joined on stage by Recreation Center Director Michelle Underwood and former Citiparks Director Mike Radley to present Debbie Brust with an award for her service to the Brookline community. Debbie was the Director of the Breeze from 2000-2010 and is still very active with the race.

The plaque was inscribed: "To Deborah Brust ... For your many years of service to the community of Brookline ... From your friends at the Brookline Breeze." She was also given a bouquet of flowers and a gift. It was long-overdue recognition for a remarkable lady.

Of the 519 main event participants who completed the 5K race, the senior runner was Toni Farah, 81, of Brookline, and the youngest was Sienna Varlotta, 4, of Cranberry Township. Toni and Sienna were the recipients of the Fran Walsh Award, given annually to the eldest and youngest 5K finishers. Mrs. Farah is another remarkable woman. She works out every night in the Recreation Center Fitness Room.

In the Dollar Bank team competition, the 13-17 year old winner was Ringgold (Liam Smith, Kirsten McMichael, Amber Mathews, Sarah Lucas and Janika Hutton). For the speedy teens from Monongahela, this was their third year as team champs. The 12-Under team champion was St Grures I (Grace Hampton, Abby Joyce, Erin Hampton and Emily Fruscello). In the heavyweight division, the first place finisher was Brookline's Nick Sywyj with a slick and savvy time of 23:00 flat.

After the awards presentation the raffle was held, featuring over $1000 in gifts, including a grand prize of two tickets to a Pittsburgh Steeler pre-season game. When the final prize was awarded around noon, it was time to go home and enjoy a fine Saturday afternoon. For the organizers and our participants, it was the end of another wonderful Day in the Life.

<Complete 2014 Brookline Breeze 5K Race Results>

<The Official Breeze Website - www.brooklinebreeze.com>

Photos From The 2014 Brookline Breeze

Click on images below for larger photos

The Breeze Week Car Cruise

The Community Center Breeze Week Car Cruise kicked things off during packet pickup
on Friday night. The classic car shows have become a Breeze Eve tradition. Thanks
to Michelle Underwood, Bob Greico and the Recreation Center Staff.

Good Morning Brookline - Welcome to the Breeze

  
Click on the image to the right for a video of The Wurms opening the morning with Blueberry Wine.

The One Mile Mini-Breeze and Dog Walk

The 5K Run And Fitness Walk Start Line

Faces In The Crowd

Breezin' Along The Boulevard

The 5K Finish Line

2014 5K Finish Line Videos (by Jeff Wilinski)

Finish Line 16:50-27:15       Finish Line 26:50-36:51

The Cool Down After The 5K

Brookline's Own "The Wurms" - Our Breeze House Band

The Awards Presentation

For More Pictures from Race Day:

   The Brookline Breeze on Facebook   

Pawsburgh Photography Breeze Photos

Congratulations Tim Wu and Natalie Finnerty
2014 Brookline Breeze 5K Winners

Special Acknowledgements

The Brookline Breeze Committee and Race Director Clint Burton would like to thank the following sponsors, partners and individuals who provided so much generous funding and effort towards this year's Brookline Breeze.

Our Gold Level Breeze Sponsors: Pro Knitwear, Dollar Bank, Allegheny Health Network, Citiparks, Highmark BC/BS, Fleet Feet Sports, South Pittsburgh Development Corporation, Antonio's Pizzeria, Pennsylvania American Water, The Brookline Medicine Shoppe, FROGGY and Wise Snacks.

Our Brookline Breeze Sponsors: A-Boss Opticians, DeBor Funeral Home, Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, State Senator Wayne Fontana, SPC Networks, Brookline Chamber of Commerce, Hideaway Mini-Mart, Knights of Columbus #491, Howard Hanna - Tim Reitmeyer, Michael Poremski Plumbing, the O'Brien Family, Scoops on the Boulevard, Sport Clips Pittsburgh and Saint John Bosco Academy.

We receive support from our partners in the City of Pittsburgh: Mayor William Peduto, Citiparks Director Jim Griffin, Fiscal Supervisor Louann Horan, Citiparks Special Events Staff (Brian Katze, Chay Tyler, Beth Cubbison, Chris Bashur, Brad Yoest and Dodi Byrne), Area Supervisor Jim Krashna, Citiparks Warehouse staff, Citiparks Audio/Visual Staff, Emergency Medical Services, Bureau of Fire Engine Company #26, Department of Public Works, Citiparks Publicist Mary Beth Mueller, Brookline Recreation Center Staff (Michelle Underwood, Joe Szymanski, Milan Tyler, Kathy Rudolph and Tony Burke), the Pittsburgh Police and Michelle Aul of Citiparks BIG League.

We also receive support from the following organizations: Allegheny County Police, Allegheny County Special Deputies, Emergency Police, Borough of Dormont Police, Central Blood Bank, Salvation Army, Pittsburgh Steelers, Keystone Young Marines, Brookline Girl Scouts, Brookline Knights and the Brentwood Firecracker 5K.

The Breeze also extends our thanks to Councilman Corey O'Connor, Mark Courtney of Runner's High, Bob Shooer of Fleet Feet Sports, Lynne Molyneaux of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Radley, Dave Anthony, Andrea Hulsman of Dollar Bank, John Young and Lauren Feeney of Pro Knitwear, Gary Lobaugh of Pennsylvania American Water, Laura D'Emidio of Sport Clips Pittsburgh, Bob Hayes Photography, the family of Fran Walsh, Jim Turcol, the Scabilloni Family, Joe and Lisa Nicholas, Steve Mescan, Jon Donley, James Perry, Kiersten Swanson, Debbie Augustine, Amy Fisher, Jeff Wilinski, and Brookline Breeze logo designers Joseph and Douglas Brendel.

Thanks also the many dedicated volunteers who help with the packet stuffing, race registrations, refreshments, barricades, planning and so much more. The Brookline Breeze 5K Fitness Run and Walk is truly a team effort, and one of the reasons that the community of Brookline is a special place. Thanks again everyone!

* Photos provided by Bob Hayes, Clint Burton, Mary Beth Mueller and Doug Brendel *