DERRY — On June 26, the Greater Derry Track Club and the Derry Parks and Recreation Department began the 33rd annual Summer Fun Run program for youth.
On the first night, 256 children signed up and brought along 246 pounds of food to be donated to local food pantries.
Members of the Greater Derry Track Club led stretching exercises and offered running tips for the participants, ranging in age from 2 up through teens. The 2- to 3-year-olds run 50 yards; 4- to 6-year-olds run 200 meters; 7- to 8-year-olds run 300 meters; 9- to 10-year-olds run 600 meters; 11- to 13-year-olds run the cross country mile, and 14 and up run the open mile.
All children receive a participation ribbon for their running efforts. The fun run schedule continues every Thursday at the Pinkerton Academy track and is free. Runs begin at 6:30 p.m. Food donations are welcome on a weekly basis.
The following children are winners for the running event's first week:
Boys: 1. Graham Brenner, 2. Davon Nordelus, 3. Hunter Brayton (9-year-olds); 1. John DePersio, 2. Matthew Bompastore, 3. Andrew Kilgus (10-year-olds); 1. Jacob Rowell, 2. Geordano Baker, 3. Tyler Thompson (11-year-olds); 1. Quin Mulaney, 2. Andrew Bompastore, 3. Nicholas Messina (12-year-olds); 1. Andrew Davy, 2. Nicolas Bompastore (13-year-olds).
Girls: 1. Bela Fast, 2.Erika Tsetailas, 3. Naomi Marshall (9-year-olds); 1. Jillian Colby, 2. Taylor Lacey, 3. Valerie Martin (10-year-olds); 1. Kaitlyn Lutinski, 2. Hannah Cooper, 3. Colleen Burpeau (11-year-olds); 1. Jaisha Jiminez, 2. Regan Coyle (12-year-olds); 1. Jessica Martin, 2. Michelle Demos, 3. Mikaela Rowell (13-year-olds).
Craig McPherson (4:27) and Cassi Dolan (6:52) won the open mile.
The Greater Derry Track Club is a nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1978 and devoted to promote running-related activities and improvements in the community.
