Hillsborough's Resolution Run 5K Celebrates 25 Years

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ - The Resolution Run 5K celebrated its 25th year on a temperate but breezy New Year’s Day 2025 as 572 walkers and runners lined up at the starting line at the Hillsborough Municipal building to take part in this Hillsborough tradition and to celebrate and honor race founder Gary Verhoorn who passed away early in 2024. “Gary founded the Resolution Run and Walk as a way to bring people together to start the new year with health, purpose, and community spirit. Over the years, this event has inspired countless participants to lace up their shoes and join neighbors and friends in making movement and connection a part of their lives.” said Barbara Kelly, owner of All About Balance Therapy and head coach of the Rock Steady Boxing program in Hillsborough during her speech on the life and achievements of Verhoorn. “Hard work and perseverance defined Gary’s life. His athletic achievements were extraordinary - seven Ironman Triathlons, countless marathons, and many other races. … Although Gary is no longer with us, his spirit is alive in this event and in all of us who were lucky enough to have known him."

Although a virtual option was again offered this year, racers came from as far away as Michigan, California, the Carolinas, Florida and Quebec, but the race was dominated by NJ and PA locals. Fred Grote, of Neshanic Station, won the 5K in a time of 16:59.45, with second place going to Walter Ingram of Lambertville in a time of 17:20.54 and Matthew Skikas, of Hillsborough took third with a time of 17:26.82. The top female finisher was Meghan Bruce, of Princeton, with a time of 19:49.61 followed in second and third by Karen dos Santos of Belvidere at 20:11.43 and Courtney Skikus of Hillsborough at 21:00.9. This year’s runners were 62% female/38% male (there were no non-binary participants in 2025), and 50-64 year old participants made up 32% of the pack. The youngest participant this year was only 3 years old, and special congratulations go out to Melva Murray, Diane Stone and Nathaniel Finestone for all winning awards in our 90 and over age group category. All finisher results can be found at www.resolutionrun.org/Race/Results/36773.

Participants wore bright red 25th Anniversary Resolution Run hoodies to represent both of the charities that are primary beneficiaries of the race - red ribbon alcohol awareness for Project Graduation and the red tulip of Parkinson’s Disease awareness for Rock Steady Boxing, and Verhoorn’s initials GWV adorned the left sleeve. Gary founded Resolution Run as a way to kick off each year with a focus on family, community, and fitness and he dedicated race profits to supporting Project Graduation, another Hillsborough tradition that provides an activity-packed substance-free event on graduation night to keep our new HHS graduates celebrating safely on one of the most fatal nights for young adults. After his diagnosis with Parkinsons, the Resolution Run Board of Directors committed to honoring Gary by sharing race proceeds with Rock Steady Boxing which is a boxing focused fitness program that serves the Parkinson's community. The race has always been a true community effort and this year the race was supported by Premier sponsors The Kugel-Briegs Group at Merrill Lynch, Patricia Carragher Attorney at Law, Hillsborough Youth Services Commission, Schilke Construction, Nielsen Financial Group and The Ernest and Constance V. Richmond Foundation. Gold sponsors include AthletiFreak Fitness Apparel, Hillsborough Massage Therapy, Impact Training, John & Dottie Cassimatis, Pinnacle Health and Fitness, and Flounder Brewing. Silver sponsors included: Hillsborough Podiatry, Petrock's Bar & Grill, and Van Cleef Engineering Associates. Special thanks to Wegmans, ShopRite, Mailbox Business Center, and Costco for contributions to support the event. Karen Briegs of Hillsborough took the top spot for fundraising pledges with over $3,000 in donations and the race also collected over 940 in donations for Hillsborough’s Community Action Network (CAN).

Race Director and President of Newman Racing Courtney Newman noted, “This race is so special in so many ways. It kicks off the new year of USATF NJ Grand Prix races for our competitive runners, but also provides room for new runners, families, walkers and everyone in-between. This year being the 25th anniversary is even more meaningful as we take time to honor Gary Verhoorn, someone I admired greatly for his athleticism, his belief in the importance of personal fitness, and the love he showed to the community he lived in. His legacy is real and will live on because of all of the people who he helped directly and indirectly through this race. I also cannot thank our many volunteers enough. Without them, this race could not happen.”

Ninety-two medals were awarded by gender, age group and finish placement. Be sure to join us again on January 1st 2026 to ring in the New Year! Mark your calendars now….registration and sponsorship opportunities open in early June at resolutionrun.org.

To learn more about Rock Steady Boxing or to donate go to www.facebook.com/RockSteadyBoxingHillsborough. To learn more about Hillsborough’s Project Graduation and to volunteer or donate www.hhsprojectgraduation.org.

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