THE ARC OF ESSEX COUNTY CROWNS VICTORS OF 17th ANNUAL BUILDING TOMORROWS 5K RACE AND WALK

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The Arc of Essex County, a 501c3 organization dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and development disabilities (I/DD), crowned Cody Kingman, 17, of Charlton, Mass. and Jerika Lufrano, 14, of Montclair, N.J. the victors of the 17th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run while raising more than $75,000 to support the agency’s programs and services. Kingman, the overall victor and men’s division winner finished with a time of 17:21, while Lufrano finished 12th overall and first in the women’s division with a time of 21:13.

The USA Track and Field sanctioned 5K-race held on Saturday, April 25 in Essex County’s Brookdale Park attracted and broad field of competitors. Nearly 500 participated in the simultaneous Two-Mile Walk and Family Fun Fest. The Building Tomorrows initiative is part of The Arc of New Jersey’s annual Step Up for the Arc statewide initiative of walkathons held locally by every county chapter. The Arc of Essex County is the state’s largest provider of services and supports to the I/DD community with a wide variety of programs that serve individuals from birth through their senior years.

Finishing on Kingman’s heels in the men’s division were Alex Alvarado, 32, of Nutley, N.J. with a time of 18:09 and Raymond Schneider, 29, of Montclair, N.J. with a time of 18:47.

In the women’s division, Amanda King, 53, of Newton, Mass. placed second with a time of 21:47 and Elizabeth Senger, 37, of Bloomfield, N.J. placed third with a time of 22:44.

Following the run and walk, attendees enjoyed family-friendly activities at the event’s Fun Fest. Children and adults alike enjoyed a culinary class with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, interactive music from Tempo! Music Therapy, adaptive recreational activities from the West Essex YMCA, face painting by Patty Sweetcakes, balloon animals from TD Bank, sand art by Prudential, arts and crafts and carnival games by Camp Hope, a bounce house, popcorn, and cotton candy.

“We would like to congratulate all of the runners and walkers who took part in the 2015 Building Tomorrows 5K race and 2-mile walk,” said Linda Cancro Lucas, chief executive officer, The Arc of Essex County. “As a result of their fundraising efforts and the participation of the community, we raised vital funds which will enable The Arc of Essex County to continue to offer and innovate our programs and services for generations to come.”

The Arc of Essex County would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous contributions and support of the 17th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K race/2-mile walk: Enterprise Holdings Foundation, PSE&G, Public Sewer Service, Price, Waterhouse Coopers, Bird Pharma Consulting, LLC, Gallagher Bollinger, Michael P. Bergeron Foundation, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Prudential, Sax BST, Stop and Shop, TD Bank, Connell Foley, Jonathan J. Proce Foundation, Glen Taylor for Keller Williams and Mid-Town Direct Realty, Mack Cali, Newark Motor and Export Corporation, Oratory Prep, and Shop Rite.

A complete list of race results is available here and event photos from the 5K start and finish lines are available here. Photos from the 2-Mile Walk and Family Fun Fest will be available on The Arc of Essex County’s social media channels in the coming days.