The community came out en masse to run, walk and even hand cycle across the streets of Delmar to prove they have not forgotten one of their own at the third annual Capt. Timothy J. Moshier race.
This was biggest turn out to date for organizers, as more than double the registrants showed their support than when the even begin three years ago. According to the race totals provide by ARE Events Productions, there were 392 finishers 194 male and 198 female.
This is just amazing, I can’t believe the turnout, there was well over 500 signed up last night for today’s race,` said Moshier at the race. `The weather held and everyone’s having a great time.`
The event continues to grow each year for the run/walk honors that honors Timothy Moshier who died while serving in Iraq on April 1, 2006, when the Apache helicopter he was flying was shot down.
He was a Bethlehem graduate and the father of a newborn daughter. His widow, Katie Moshier, helps organize the event each year and watches their daughter Natalie run in the Tot-Trot portion of the race.
Taking first place overall, Thomas O’Grady, 23, of Colonie, ran across the Bethlehem Middle School finish line at 16 minutes and 18 seconds, setting a pace of 5:15. The runners up were Matt Gokey, 35, of Delmar, at 17 minutes and 11 seconds, and Andrew Macmillan, 28, of Rochester at 17 minutes and 12 seconds.
The first place female runner was Katie Hodge of Delmar, who finished 22nd overall and came in at 20 minutes and 20 seconds and setting a pace of 6 minutes and 33 seconds.
Melissa Brinkman of Cohoes came in second for the females at 21:21 and Roxanne Wegman came in at third with 21:26.
A first for `Tim’s Race,` as it has become to be known throughout the community, happened when 37-year-old James Chaney of Albany hand-cycled across the finish line with 18 minutes and 5 seconds on the clock. Hand cycles were allowed this year for the first time to allow for more community involvement, something that is very important to Moshier as she is a spokeswoman for STRIDE Adaptive Sports.
The not-for-profit organization is a multidisciplinary, educational organization specializing in therapeutic recreation-related services for individuals with disabilities.
`This is the first year we had hand cyclist participate in the event,` said Moshier after the race. `It worked out well and it allows disabled veterans and other disabled community members to really be a part of Tim’s race.`
Kevin Miller, 26, of Johnstown was the second cyclist to cross the finish line at 20 minutes and 53 seconds, setting his pace at 6:44.
The annual race also includes a kid’s race for five to 11 year olds and a `Tot Trot` for kids under five to run 26.2 yards, which like the kid’s race is also a free event.
Bethlehem Councilman Mark Hennessey was seen in the mix of runners and the breezy May morning.
`I cut six minutes off my times from last year, so I’m the happiest man in the world right now,` Hennessey said en route to the water station.
After the race ended, Moshier thanked those in attendance and hand out first, second and third place winners for each of the categories.
`I’ve got four of my Wounded Warriors here and they finished the course both figuratively and literally and I wanted to thank them,` Moshier said over the loud speaker at the middle school. `I also want to thank the Patriot Guard Riders for being here with us today.`
The Patriot Guard Riders are an organization that acts as a motorcycle motorcade at the funerals of fallen soldiers around the nation and sometimes act as an impromptu color guard as memorial events such as Tim’s Race.
There were several age group and team winners for this year’s race that were honored by Moshier after the race ended.
The 0-14 age group winners on the male’s side included Evan Denniag, 14; David D. Sullivan; and Nathan Cohen. The female winners for the youngest age bracket were Sydney Shaw, 12; Briana Swete, 14; and Tara Teal, 14.
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