Annual Darien Road Race Raises Over $65K For Local Nonprofits: See Top Race Finishers

DARIEN, CT — More than 550 runners, walkers, volunteers and supporters gathered Sunday morning for the 45th Annual Darien Road Race and Family Fun Day, raising over $65,000 for The Community Fund of Darien’s 2025–2026 grant pool.

The event, themed "Run for a Reason," featured a 1.5-mile Fun Run and a 5-mile race along the coastline, beginning and ending at Pear Tree Point Beach. Participants ranged from just two weeks old to 83 years old.

"I never run! This event and The Community Fund gave me a reason to," said one Fun Run participant, according to a news release.

Some members of the Run 169 Towns Society joined to mark their 100th road race in Connecticut. This year also included a partnership with MyTeamTriumph, where 11 participants with physical limitations were paired with more than three dozen volunteers who assisted them along the hilly route.

The race-day family fun tent offered free activities such as face painting, caricatures, games, and music. First Selectman Jon Zagrodzky served as the official race starter and highlighted the role of youth volunteers in continuing the tradition.

Proceeds from the race will support about three dozen nonprofit agencies in Darien, Norwalk and Stamford that provide food, housing, healthcare, youth programming, job training and emergency services. Earlier this year, The Community Fund distributed $790,500 in grants to 35 local nonprofits.

"We are sincerely grateful to our community for showing up year after year to run for a reason at the Darien Road Race," said The Community Fund Executive Director Maggie Domont, in a news release. "This fall fundraiser marks the start of our new grant fundraising cycle and always provides an inspiring kickoff to raising critical funds that address the greatest human service priorities of our neighbors."

The Youth Community Fund, a program for high school students, also hosted a silent auction during the event that raised $6,200 for its own grant pool.

Since its founding in 1951, The Community Fund has awarded more than $29 million in grants, with applications vetted annually by volunteers who review finances, visit agencies and make recommendations.

To view Darien Road Race event photos, visit communityfunddarien.org/darienroadrace

Here are the top finishers from the 45th annual Darien Road Race:

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Results:

First Place Patrick Dooley
Second Place Malcolm Gray
Third Place Tyler Saroka

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Results:

First Place Jennifer St. Jean
Second Place Lauren Tanenbaum
Third Place Laura Resnansky

1.5-Mile Fun Run:

First Place Thatcher Hines
Second Place Jena Hines
Third Place Matias del Rio

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 1-12 Results:

First Place Tiago del Rio
Second Place William Kramer
Third Place Oliver Gerrity

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 1-12 Results:

First Place Brinley Connors
Second Place Callen Connors
Third Place Milly Gould

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 13-19 Results:

First Place William Kim
Second Place Jacob Cousins
Third Place Brayden Dunn

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 13-19 Results:

First Place Emily Rizzi
Second Place Teagan Josef
Third Place Julia Glowania

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 20-29 Results:

First Place Sean Cunningham
Second Place Dajauwn Power
Third Place Charlie Friel

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 20-29 Results:

First Place Molly Read
Second Place Kate Lockyer
Third Place Alisa Kukharkin

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 30-39 Results:

First Place Mathieu Bigand-Hearn
Second Place Raoul Scherwitzl
Third Place Owen Adams

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 30-39 Results:

First Place Hannah Chesser
Second Place Jillian Wilczek
Third Place Jacqueline Gramer

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 40-49 Results:

First Place Leo Biala
Second Place Simon McKay
Third Place Jared Gould

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 40-49 Results:

First Place Vanessa Costa
Second Place Casey Haverstick
Third Place Erin Gershey

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 50-59 Results:

First Place Eug Matejek
Second Place Scott Horn
Third Place Paul Baldini

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 50-59 Results:

First Place M Park
Second Place Susan Leigh
Third Place Amy Rizzi

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 60-69 Results:

First Place David Ott
Second Place Windsor Hall
Third Place Guy Riegel

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 60-69 Results:

First Place Barbara Jessup
Second Place Sandra Docimo
Third Place Hope Stanger

5-Mile Race Top Overall Male Age 70-99 Results:

First Place Manuel Del Rio
Second Place John Spang
Third Place Thomas Tyler

5-Mile Race Top Overall Female Age 70-99 Results:

First Place Kathi Peck