Wilson Berrezaeta put on a kick down the stretch to capture the 14th annual Cinco De Mayo Fun Run of 3.1 miles on Sunday, May 1 in Prospect Park.
Most of the runners entered the race to stay in shape in preparation for future events, whether it be for long distance or short distance ones. Other people just entered for the fun of it. Some will return for the upcoming Brooklyn Half Marathon, conducted by the New York Road Runners Club, or 5Ks and 5-milers in the met area.
Some of the runners who competed last Sunday are headed for the New York City Marathon.
Instead of conducting the usual age group runs timing and results, the directors decided to eliminate the awards and just record times. The only other race in the area was the Long Island Marathon, on which the attention in the New York City area was focused.
“Having a fun run wasn’t by choice,” co-race director Adam Lazaro, Jr. said. “It was because there was no funding of such a race (that we always had). Unfortunately, it was something we didn’t want to do. We may bring back the age group race next year if we get funding early.”
The goal of this race was just to promote sports any sort of activity that will get people, especially young people, exercising and doing other things besides getting themselves into trouble. Running is something that is cheap.
“We had a little over 200 people from (various running clubs throughout New York City and runners competing unattached) maybe because we had good weather on race day. And we had 50 kids. (the kids race after the main event),” Lazaro added.
The goal of the race is always to encourage a healthy lifestyle to keep children and adults active through sports.
Meanwhile, Berrezaeta took the lead from Abel Rosales during second half of the 5k race that stayed within Prospect Park and covered the course in 17:20. In a close finish Rosales finished second.
“Trailing late in the race, I pushed just to win,” offered Berrezaeta. “I’ve been in this race three times before and know the course.”
Rosales led until about 400 meters to go when he (the eventual winner) took the lead.
“I couldn’t do ‘it’ any more,” Rosales offered. He passed me (toward the finish) and it was too much. In the last 20 meters I tried to get up to lead. But my legs were too tired. I like a fun run better than an age group one. Maybe, I’ll do another 5K race in two weeks.”
Meanwhile, veteran runner Edwin Cosme stayed in shape for future races and also promoted the third annual Brooklyn’s Triple Crown featuring the Kenneth Dolan Memorial 5K run/walk and peewee run in Prospect Park, Cosme 5K run/walk and BTC Grand Finale four-miler run/walk, with the later two races on the Coney Island Boardwalk.
The first named run will take place June 5, the Coney Island race June 26 and the second boardwalk on the second Saturday of September.
“The numbers are up from last year,” Cosme said. “We expect close to 700 runners for for the Brooklyn Triple Crown this year.
The Triple Crown also consists of $1200 in prizes to youth clubs or team members. The youths must be 13 years of age or younger, and once gain the Runners Cup team champion open/masters division.
Cosme was timed in 21 minutes for the fun run and was very much satisfied with his time and performance in the Cinco deMayo race.
The latter event was conducted by the Mexican Athletic Club of New York, better known as CAMNY.
