Saturday’s inaugural running of the Run Westfield Flat-Fast 5K benefitting the Officer Jose Torres Memorial Fund was a spectacular success with more than 2,500 runners from all over the world participating in the race.
WESTFIELD – Saturday’s inaugural running of the Run Westfield Flat-Fast 5K benefiting the Officer Jose Torres Memorial Fund was a spectacular success with more than 2,500 runners from all over the world participating in the race.
The event turned out “much better than expected,” said Michael Tierney, founder of the race, who credited its success to city officials, the police department and downtown merchants.
“It’s just incredible,” he said. “This is as good as it gets and allows us to have a platform to grow from and take it to a whole new level and make it a world-class event.”
Organizers had predicted a runner turnout of about 2,000, but the race attracted 2,500 runners and walkers of all ability, with some coming to Westfield from as far as Kenya and Ethiopia. The top male runner was Simon Ndirangu, from Kenya, and the top female runner was Kim F. Smith, from Providence, Rhode Island, originally from New Zealand. Both Ndirangu and Smith were awarded $5,000 for being the top runners.
Ndirangu said the flat-fast race route, which began on Western Avenue at the Westfield State University South Lot and finished on Elm Street in the vicinity of the Church Street Commons, was a great opportunity to train for other races and is sure to become a popular event among serious runners.
“The organizers did a great job,” he said. “It was all done very well. I’m sure many people will be coming here.”
In all, Tierney said $29,000 in prize money was raised, with his company putting up an initial amount and additional funds raised from the 40 sponsors who supported the 5K, including major sponsor, Westfield Bank.
Waiting for runners and walkers at the end of the race was a block party sponsored by the Westfield Rotary Club that featured the Performance Music All-Star Jam Band and vendors from downtown restaurants.
Mayor Daniel M. Knapik called Saturday “a fantastic day” and the beginning of an annual tradition with “a signature event for our community and the downtown.”
Throughout the throng of runners, walkers and those gathered for the block party the familiar site of Jose Torres’ image and name on T-shirts could be seen and served as a reminder that the charitable event was also intended to raise funds for the foundation in his name.
His widow, Kara Torres, said the community’s continued support of her family and its efforts to keep Jose’s memory alive has helped her and her two sons, Jay, 20, and Christopher, 14, remain strong in the face of their personal tragedy.
“For the past 247 days (since Torres lost his life when a truck backed into him on a construction site on Pontoosic Road in July), the residents, along with the community, have wrapped their arms around our family, and we are forever grateful.”
“Jose was taken from us too soon, but this community has shown my family he will never be forgotten, and I thank you for that.”
Westfield Police Capt. Michael A. McCabe called the day “phenomenal,” thanked the race committee for choosing the Officer Jose Torres Fund as its charity, and said proceeds raised in Torres’ name from the event will help fund educational and youth programs “for a long time to come.”
“Money will go to local kids and sports and educational programs in which Jose was involved,” McCabe said.