Residents to "Run for Gabby" at Annual Paramus Race

When she was just 14-years-old, Gabby Reuveni finished 140th in the Lou Lanzalotto 5K race in 24:50 in 2006 during the annual Terri Roemer Paramus Run. Her sister Jessica finished six minutes later and mother Jacqueline followed Jessica by three minutes. It would be the only time all three women competed in the race together. This weekend, the Reuveni family will lead the 5K race in Gabby's honor and memory, three months since she was struck and killed while running in the Poconos.

"When I read about the horrible event over the summer I recognized Gabby's name," race director Mike Roemer said. "In 2010, Gabby was awarded the Terri Roemer scholarship and her sister was awarded a scholarship this past June as well."

From there, Roemer reached out to the Reuveni's and asked if they would lead the Lou Lanzalotto 5K race on Sunday morning in her memory. So far, over 100 residents have agreed to participate that morning, each wearing custom-made purple t-shirts. Lanzalotto was a former track coach at Paramus High School who helped start the run with the Roemers.

"We're happy to partipate in some small way to honor her memory," Roemer said. "While the race honors my parents, we felt it was appropriate to recognize Gabby and her family this year."

Reuveni was the Paramus High School valedictorian in 2010, captain of the cross country and track teams, and president of the National Honor Society. She would have been a junior at Washington University in St. Louis this fall and participated with the Bears track and cross country teams.

Philip Cise, the Dover resident accused of killing Reuveni while driving, was sent to the Ann Klein Forensic Center in August for a psychological evaluation. While charges have not have been filed against Cise in relation to Reuveni's death although he has had several run-ins with the law in the weeks leading up to the fatal accident. He currently faces charges for harassing employees at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, wielding an ax while demanding free food at a Rockaway McDonald's restaurant, stealing a truck from a Jefferson Township driveway, and plowing his vehicle into a utility pole in Lake Hiawatha.

Now in its 34th year, the Terri Roemer Paramus Run is held in memory of Marty Roemer and Terri Roemer, and raises scholarship funding for Paramus graduates. The organization has given out almost $500,000 in scholarships in the past 33 years.

"We should have over 1500 people come out this year," Roemer said. "We could have a really special event and the focus on Gabby."

The Paramus Run begins with the Marty Roemer 10K race at 9am followed by the Lanzalotto 5K at 11:15am. A one-mile run run is scheduled for 12:15pm. Each event starts at the Crowne Plaza, 601 From Road, next to the Paramus Park Mall, circling around the mall before heading out onto Midland Avenue and Paramus' tree lined streets.

Awards will go to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place male and female finishers in each age category: 13 and under, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64. 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over. Awards will also go to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, male and female Paramus residents.

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