East Rockaway Education Foundation's third annual 5K is largest one yet

More than 250 people raced more than three miles on March 24 to raise money for the East Rockaway Education Foundation.

“It was our most attended 5K yet,” EREF Vice President Dan Caracciolo said.

Caracciolo estimated that the race netted about $5,000 for the non-profit organization, which raises money to fund grants for teachers’ projects in the East Rockaway School District. Last year, the event garnered about $7,000 for the foundation, but Caracciolo said one of the sponsors dropped out this year, resulting in fewer profits.

The race also differed from the previous two years because the route had to be changed after the March 21 nor’easter, which caused flooding in Bay Park. “There’s this road in Bay Park that goes through Swift Creek,” Caracciolo said. “We had to cut that road out so we could be safe.”

To help make up for the lost mileage, the start point was further back on Althouse Avenue than originally planned.

Caracciolo said that the 5K was a success, and added that there were a lot of “smiles on our students’ and participants’ faces that ran.”

He also expressed his gratitude to those who supported the cause. “I’d like to thank everyone that came,” he said, “and I look forward to next year.”