16th Annual Father's Day Road Race

The 16th annual Father’s Day Road Race was another successful event for the Museum. The rain held off long enough for runners and walkers to sweat it out in the hot and humid weather. Over 480 runners and walkers completed the 5 mile run or the 2 mile walk. There were plenty of vendors on hand to provide us with music and samples for spectators to enjoy. Our 100 volunteers completed the behind-the-scenes work needed for the event to run smoothly. We would also like to thank Douglas A. King Builders and the rest of our sponsors for their generous donations. All proceeds benefit The Children Museum in Easton’s programs and exhibits. Without these groups’ support, the event would not be as successful as it was, so we would like to thank everyone for their contribution to this year’s road race!

At 9AM the race began and it took under a half hour for the top three runners to step across the finish line. Defending champion from North Easton, Jake Churchill (right), took first overall for the second year in a row. For the past four years Churchill has participated in the race for a number of reasons. His love for running and for supporting local events makes it an easy decision for him to keep competing each year. His family has always enjoyed coming to the Museum, so him and his wife, who is on the race committee, love to support this annual event.

Churchill is not the only runner to return year after year. Bruce Melendy of Easton has participated in 14 out of our 16 races. He comes back each year because he loves how organized the event is and also because of the support from the Museum’s staff and volunteers. We hope that his dedication to our event will catch on to some of our winners who won in the Novice and Junior Divisions. Many of our younger participants were from Easton and other local towns and we hope that they will continue to run each year!

The race did not only have local participants. Runners and walkers from near and far came out to support the event. The first place winners from both the Men and Women’s Open Division traveled from other states to participate in the race. However, Sara Lupica and Lisa Chazan both have local connections that encourage them to support the event. Lupica, who placed third in the Master’s Division, grew up in Easton and has a lot of fun running this road race. Chazan, who has participated for the past few years, enjoyed coming to the Museum with her children when they were younger. Father- daughter team, Kevin and Katelyn O’Sullivan (left) of Easton have participated in the walk for the past 3 years and have now made it a Father’s Day tradition. Whether they live around the corner or travel from New York, our runners love to support our annual Father’s Day Road Race.

-Ashley Balerna

Public Relations Intern, The Children's Museum in Easton