East Haven Townwide Road Race to Be Held September 8th.

EAST HAVEN, CT - The "East Haven Community Classic Road Race" will be held Saturday, September 8th at 8:30 A.M. (Registration begins at 7:00A.M.)and all proceeds with benefit the Town's 'Police Athletic League."

Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. announced today that the 2nd Annual "East Haven Community Classic" Road Race will held Saturday, September 8th at 8:30AM, once again thanks to a group of Town officials and volunteers who, in conjunction with the Town's "Police Athletic League," will be organizing the event.

Maturo explained, "The Town's road race is held annually on the Saturday coinciding with the Fall Festival and in cooperation with the Fall Festival Committee. Last year, several Town officials and volunteers teamed up with the Police Athletic League to save the event after it's long-time sponsor and race coordinator backed out of the event. This year, the Police Athletic League and an army of volunteers are teaming up to expand the ever-popular event."

Maturo added, "The road race is a great event with a lot of tradition that brings hundreds of people to the Town Green. We are thrilled to see it growing and prospering as it enters its second year under new leadership."

The race committee has established a website at "www.ehcommunityclassic.com" where interested participants can learn about the race, sign up, and pay the race entry fee. Mail-in registration forms can be requested by e-mailing ehcommunityclassic@gmail.com or by contacting Judy Sittnick at 203-996-6596.

Maturo continued, "Like last year, Judy Sittnick, the race's coordinator for almost twenty years, is teaming up with Deputy Police Chief Jim Naccarato, Sergeant Justin Brochu, Town Attorney Joseph Zullo, and local resident Kory Kolb to spearhead this year's race. Like last year, all of the profits from the race will go directly to benefit the Town's 'Police Athletic League,' which provides quality, wholesome athletic programming and activities for Town youths."

Race Coordinator Judy Sittnick added, "This year, in addition to our 5K road race, we are expanding the event to include an 'Almost a Mile Fun Run,' which will begin at 8:00AM at the Town Green and end shortly before the 5K road race kicks off at 8:30AM."

Sittnick added, "We're extremely appreciative of "The Rib House Restaurant," "DiAdamo and Tracey "Big Steve" Bail Bonds, and "The Law Offices of Zullo, Zullo, and Jacks, LLC," which have agreed to co-sponsor the event for the second year in a row."

The race course is fast and flat, begins at the Town Green, leads runners through the center of Town, and finishes on Main Street at the starting line next to the Town Green. The race is open to people of all ages and wheelchair athletes are encouraged and welcomed to participate. The event has ample water stations and includes a hydration station at the conclusion so that runners can recover after the race. Trophies are awarded across ten age categories, to both male and female participants, and to the male and female first place finishers.

Maturo explained, "Over the past few years, a bit of 'race rivalry' has developed amongst several Town officials, including the Police Chiefs, Fire Chief, the Town Attorney, and I. Once again, Town Attorney Joseph Zullo and I will be squaring off against Chief Ed Lennon and Deputy Chief Jim Naccarato for bragging rights. This year, it's rumored that our Superintendent Erica Forti and even Fire Chief Marcarelli may join in on the competitive fun."

Maturo concluded, "The road race is a great event, which kicks of Saturday morning at our annual fall festival. Once again, I am excited that we have a great group of local volunteers and community stakeholders both organizing the race and competing in it. It's great to see all of the residents and Town officials getting out and having a great time every year. I encourage anyone interested in running to sign up for the race and show their support for the East Haven Police Athletic League."

For more information, visit www.ehcommunityclassic.com.