The Running of the Bears 5K took place on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Vestal High School, and over 200 participants registered for this event to benefit Team Hopefull. Younger bear cubs enjoyed a free Kids Run at 9 a.m. Walkers set out at 9:30 a.m., and then the runners took the starting line at 10 a.m.
Many thanks to all of the participants, sponsors, volunteers, and others who made the 2024 Running of the Bears 5K a success! Look for a total of the proceeds donated to Team Hopefull in the Community 101 column of the yearend "Look at Us!" district newsletter.
Here are the Race winners:
Men's: Joe Guinness
(Less than .02 separated Joe from second-place finisher Steve Esposito)
Ladies: Amy Panella
Boys: Zaine Fundock
Girls: Alexandra Mulcahy
Gold Sponsor - Spiedie & Rib Pit
Silver Sponsors - Blanding Electric, Inc., Broome Bituminous, Inc., C & S Companies, Delta Engineers, Architects, & Land Surveyors, Kampai Japanese Steakhouse, Old Union Hotel, Schaffer Darpino Flooring, UHS, and Visions Federal Credit Union.
Bronze Sponsors included Budget Fence, , Law Office of Greg Catarella, Harding Brooks Insurance Agency, Hatala Orthodontics, Matthews Auto, Vestal Dental, Vestal High School PTO and the Wagner Companies.
Donors included Basha's Lebanese Grill, Best Bagels in Town, California Grill, Ck'Sters, Confluence Running, Dog Dayz Inn, Funky Beez, Kampai, Meissner Massage Studio, Podlasie, Price Chopper, Spiedie & Rib Pit, Tony's Italian Grill, and Weis Markets.