Monday, June 2, 2014
The Bridgeport Hospital Home Run on May 25, presented by AMR, was the most successful in the event’s 11-year history, attracting more than 750 participants and expected to raise over $25,000 to support the Joel E. Smilow Heart Institute at the hospital.
Runners primed to start the 5K.
“Everything worked in our favor – a great turnout, great volunteer and sponsor support, and especially great weather,” said Steve Jakab, president of the Bridgeport Hospital Foundation, which organized the event. “Our thanks go out to everyone for making this year’s Home Run such a huge success.”
The Bridgeport Hospital Home Run, which begins and ends at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, home of the Bridgeport Bluefish, includes a 5K run, walk and wheelchair race, and a children’s fun run inside the ballpark.
Although participants came from all over Connecticut, Trumbull residents made a special mark on the event. Overall 5K winner Matt Ferroro and women’s champion Lisa Romanchick are both from Trumbull. Wheelchair racer Kari Craddock, 10, also lives in Trumbull. This was her third 5K and she achieved her personal best time.
“Kari’s participation was inspiring,” Jakab said. “And it underscored the fact that the Home Run is an inclusive event, not limited to serious runners. Many people choose to walk the 5K course, as well, many of them pushing baby strollers. The aim is to promote good heart health through exercise.”
Trophies were also presented to the top three men and women 5K finishers in several age categories, from 9 and under to 80 and over. Carl Sylvester of Shelton received the first-ever Vic Weinstein memorial trophy for best time in the 70 and over group.
Weinstein, who had taken part in each of the first 10 Home Run 5K events, died last December at age 75. A resident of Tarrytown, NY, he was a former IBM manager and community volunteer who began running in the 1970s and continued until the end of his life. His wife, three children and eight grandchildren all took part in this year’s Home Run.
Bridgeport Hospital, part of Yale New Haven Health, is a non-profit 501-bed acute care hospital with two campuses (plus 42 beds licensed to Yale New Haven Children's Hospital). Its Bridgeport and Milford Campuses serve patients from across the region. The hospital admits more than 23,000 patients and provides nearly 350,000 outpatient treatments annually. The Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state and one of only 64 verified burn centers in the United States. Bridgeport Hospital is committed to providing safe, compassionate and cost efficient care to its patients and the community. www.bridgeporthospital.org
