Courtesy Montclair YMCA
by Wilma Hurwitz
for Montclair Local
One way to start the summer in Montclair is with the YMCA/MRCA 10K/2-mile run. Always the first Sunday in June — June 4 this year — this annual tradition draws participants from all over New Jersey and beyond.
Since its inception in 1982, the race has been managed by Pat Brechka, Montclair’s Recreation and Cultural Affairs director and, until her retirement earlier this year, Carol Kearney, YMCA program coordinator.
Brechka wrote in an email, “The first run was the brainchild of Perry Doerr, Parks & Recreation Director at the time and Dave Hardtop of the YMCA. Both of these organizations were committed to providing leisure programs and activities for Montclair to meet the mental, physical and social needs of residents while enhancing their overall quality of life.”
Brechka believes this year’s run will meet or exceed last year’s 1,400 runners, walkers and volunteers.
For more serious runners, the 10K Run is a flat course that runs through two scenic parks. The 10K is a USATF Certified Course that this year has one minor change — the start and finish lines will be at the same spot, on Park Street in front of the YMCA. “Since we had it re-certified, the 10K race will draw more serious runners who need to qualify for marathons,” wrote Brechka.
The number of runners for the Fun Run continues to grow every year, Brechka said.
The 2-mile walk/run is ideal for adult speed walkers, young children and families that want to “race” together.
“In the early days of the race we would see only serious runners and never any walkers,” said Brechka. “Now we seem to get about the same number of participants in each race.”
This event appeals to all ages and levels.
“We’re getting more children and seniors involved,” Brechka wrote, adding that registrants now include people well into their 80s and children as young as 4.
“We had to increase the age level of our awards — the senior category was originally for participants 60 years of age and over; now we offer awards to a 70 years and over category,” Brechka wrote.
Jo Ann Short, the CEO of YMCA, said, “This was already a hugely successful event when I joined the Y in 2010. Pat Brechka wears the MRCA ‘township’ hat – coordinating the police, closing roads, designing T-shirts and so much more.
“This year Washima Redding, the Y’s Senior Health and Wellness director, will coordinate 100-plus volunteers to help direct runners on street corners, hand out water at the water stops, set up the food tent or work on preregistration,” Short said.
Rhonda Silver of Bravitas, an event co-sponsor, said, “The YMCA of Montclair, the YMCA of Greater New York and YMCA Camps are key forces in the well-being and happiness of children and families today. Because the YMCA of Montclair is there to serve the needs of this community, we want to be there for the Y so they have the resources to do just that.”
Also sponsoring is Fleet Feet Montclair, a Bloomfield Avenue athletic shop specializing in running apparel, owned by John Fabbro.
“This event shows the vision of Montclair’s Recreation & Cultural Affairs and the Y in bringing us together in a fun way,” Fabbro said. “Whether a spectator or a participant — there’s something for everyone.
“We established our business here in 1987 and participated in our first Montclair YMCA/MRCA Run in 1988. In the last 15 years Fleet Feet Montclair has been involved with everything it takes to put the event together — from packet-pick up the day before and ‘behind the scenes’ organizing,” he said.
This YMCA/MRCA event also receives kudos from runners.
“I’ve been an avid runner for many years and the YMCA 10K is a once-a- year ‘checkup’ to make sure I’m staying fit and healthy,” said Dean Chapman. “It’s a great distance, tough and not too long.”
Robert Babboni, a graphic designer from Montclair, is a longtime Y member and ran the 10K race for the first time last year.
“Since I’d never run a 10K before, I participated in the Y’s ‘Ten Weeks to the Ten K’ training,” Babboni wrote in an email. “…You meet with other runners 3 times a week and are guided by Y personnel in warm-up exercises followed by a run from the Y to Anderson and Edgemont Parks and back.
“This year my sons Noah 10 and Leo 12 will join me. Great for the children — they are running a lot farther than they’ve thought of doing before.”
Sunday, June 4, rain or shine
Starting at the YMCA, 25 Park St.
Registration/check-in, 7 a.m.
2-mile fun run/walk, 8:30 a.m.
10K run, 9:30 a.m.
Register by May 29 at raceforum.com/montclair
Early entry fee: $35 adults, $25 youth (10K); $30 adults and $23 youth (2-mile)
Packet pick-up at Fleet Feet, 603 Bloomfield Ave. (June 2 or 3) or at the YMCA (June 4)
Early Packet Pick-up at Fleet Feet, 603 Bloomfield Ave. Montclair Fri., June 2, noon-7 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Packets can also be picked up at the YMCA on race day.
