B.E.S.T. stands for Better Empower the Students and Teachers.
Walnut Hill Community Church in Derby hosted the event to benefit Derby Public Schools.
Pastor Walt Mayhew said he was pleased with the turnout. There were 96 pre-registered and 39 walk-up participants.
The start and finish line was on the access road parallel to the Derby Greenway. Walkers and runners headed down the road and up onto the Derby Greenway for the race and looped back to the same spot.
Overall top finisher in the men’s category was James Pisano of Seymour. Ansonia resident Krista Boyer, Mayhew’s daughter, was overall top female runner
Shelton resident Carl Sylvester, 81, took the “oldest” participant honors. He came in first in the over-60 male category.
Sylvester said he has been running since he was 50 and Saturday’s event was his 20th race this year.
Sylvester runs five miles a day, five days a week.
Stratford resident Keane Horne at 5, was the youngest runner.
Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway thanked Mayhew and the planning committee consisting of teachers, parents, and church members for putting the event together. He said their months of hard work “got the numbers out. It’s just incredible.”
Mayor Anita Dugatto said, “This is a beautiful day for our four schools. I’m happy we are using the (access) road for this great event.”
Before the runners and walkers stepped off Mayhew said “stay to the right on the Greenway. There are walkers out there and they will definitely be intimidated by this mass of people.”
A kids’ fun run preceded the 5K. Participant Rock Nichols, 4, of Derby ran with his father, Mark Nichols. “I ran all the way to the finish line,” Rock said. Nichols came in second in the age 36 – 45 male category.
