More than 200 people gathered on Wicks Lane early Sunday morning to kick off the 20th annual Malverne 5K run-walk for education.
The nonprofit Malverne Educational and Fitness Foundation organized the first run in 2004, and have done so every year since, excluding during the pandemic. The event raises money to support youth programs in the Malverne school district.
“The 5K was established in order to help fund the school programs and whatever they needed for extracurricular activities,” Jan Kasal, MEFF president and the race director since 2012, said. That year, Kasal started the 200-meter kids’ fun run that now precedes the 5K each year.
Because the Malverne school district encompasses Malverne, Lakeview and Lynbrook, the 5K course makes its way through all three communities.
“Our school district encompasses all these three communities,” Kasal said. “So the course should encompass all three communities.”
The fun run, which drew nearly 40 children, took place at 8:30, on Wicks Lane, and shortly before 9, more than 140 runners and walkers lined up at Howard T. Herber Middle School for the 5K. The finish line was behind Malverne High School.
Kasal, who has been running for decades, said he enjoys gathering the local running community in Malverne for the race each year. And, he added, “I think the spring run, organized by a different organization, complements ours very well.”
Greg Waxman, who organizes the Freedom 5K in Malverne, which takes place on Memorial Day and benefits veterans organizations, ran Sunday’s 5K as well, leading the crowd while carrying an American flag.
“I’m out here running because I support local races — especially this one in Malverne,” Waxman said. “Its good to get the community together to support a good cause. Jan has been organizing this race for a long time, and it’s one of the races that inspired me to start mine.”
Kasal estimated that the event raised $5,000 for MEFF, which will support PTA programs at Malverne district schools as well as the high school’s music programs this year.
Brian Guiheen, 16, took first overall in the 5K with a time of 17 minutes, 20 seconds. A senior at Chaminade High School, the Malverne native has been running since sixth grade. “I’m in the middle of my cross-country season right now,” he said. “We’re looking to do big things this season, so this is a good experience to have.”
“I live around here,” Guiheen added, “so it’s nice to see the community come out and support people that do this kind of sport.”
Jayde Defreitas-Sean, 10, finished first in the women’s race in 21:35. A Brooklyn native, she has been running for three years. “It feels really great to win a race,” Jayde said. “It tells me that I put in the hard work, and it always pays off.”
Jayde is a member of the all-girls youth track club Jeuness Track Club in Brooklyn, which her father signed her up for after he noticed she enjoyed running races against her friends. “I like running because it makes me stronger,” she said. “It also helps me know that everything pays off in different ways.”
Awards were given to the top three male and female racers overall, the top three boys and girls ages 11 and under, and age groups all the way up to 80 to 84, as well as a wheelchair division and the physically challenged. First-place winners received a plaque and a pair of running shoes.
After the race, attendees enjoyed snacks and refreshments provided by MEFF.
