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 *
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