Putting the fun in fundraiser, one mile at a time

Clad in neon green T-shirts and race bibs, hundreds of people took to the streets on May 4 in a spirited dash for a good cause.

The annual Riverdale Y 5K and Fun Run brought together nearly 300 runners, joggers and walkers of all ages, with the oldest participant at  86 years old. As one of the nonprofit’s most significant fundraisers, proceeds from the spring event support essential programs many residents rely on, like free meals and social services for older adults.

The fastest male and overall competitor, Corey Levin, was all smiles after crossing the finish line. He completed the 3.1-mile race in 17 minutes, 9.3 seconds.

Participants crossed the starting line at the Riverdale Y, at 5625 Arlington Avenue, and reached the first mile marker near Wave Hill, just off 252nd Street. The course continued to the second mile marker on Palisade Avenue, then stretched to 261st Street before looping onto Riverdale Avenue. Runners passed the third mile marker at 256th Street, wrapping up the race back at the Y.

“I run a lot,” 39-year-old Levin remarked, snacking on a post-race bag of Goldfish crackers his kids deemed too crumbly. “When most people see me, I’m the redhead with a double stroller.”

He’s no rookie in competitive running, having completed multiple 13.1-mile half-marathons. But even for an experienced runner, the 5K course presented challenges – particularly Riverdale’s “hilly” terrain.

At the award ceremony, Levin accepted his plaque in high spirits, joined by his six-year-old daughter, Violet and four-year-old son, Charlie. And the two youngsters are following in their father’s footsteps, participating in the Columbia Track Club’s youth running program.

Unlike her male counterpart, Alison Kraus – this year’s fastest female – is strictly a casual runner, typically jogging for morning fun.  But when the opportunity to support the Y, where her daughter attends the early childhood center, came up, Kraus was inspired to race with purpose.

The 46-year-old was mid-massage at a vendor tent – one of the Y’s many celebratory offerings that day – when her name was called over the loudspeaker. She rushed over to collect her award, still barefoot.

“I was totally surprised [to win top overall female finisher],” Kraus expressed. “It’s just a fun run, so I knew that it wasn’t going to be any sort of serious competition, but I still wasn’t expecting it.”

Though proud of her victory, the real highlight of her day wasn’t the accolade – it was the overwhelming sense of community she felt seeing familiar faces erupt in cheers from the sidelines.

The event also featured a 1K Fun Run/Walk for children ages three to 15, accompanied by an adult. Among the young participants was aspiring track star Winter Richardson who competed in the Colgate Women’s Games’ elementary division. 

The eight-year-old was joined on the course by her grandmother, Lillian Gilmore. Sitting on a curb after the footrace, Gilmore caught her breath between bites of a banana. Richardson, eager and energetic, bounced beside her.

“She just took off at the start,” the 68-year-old recalled, a mother of 10 and grandmother of 19 – with one more on the way. “We were supposed to be walking together, but she was like a bullet.”

“I ran the whole way,” Richardson gleefully chimed in.

The 5K and Fun Run is the Y’s most popular fundraiser, generating more foot traffic annually than any other. 

“It’s a huge amount of work for the staff,” Mia Diamond-Padwa shared, a longtime board member. “They kill themselves setting it up, coordinating with NYPD, coordinating with the neighborhood. It’s a big deal.”

The event drew a crowd of more than a thousand this year. Among them were enthusiastic spectators and those enjoying other family-friendly festivities, like face painting and a bounce house, in the nonprofit’s parking lot.