Greta's Run - A HUGE SUCCESS

     After relishing my first sleep in three months last night, I want to say THANK YOU!

Sunday was impeccable.  The day was beautiful, everyone was smiling, and The Schoenemann’s were happy. 

Greta’s runners and walkers came in from 11 states and Germany!  Exactly 900 people registered to run and 200+ volunteers abetted its success.  Congratulations to Joseph Veras of Jersey City, NJ for being the first person ever to cross the Finish Line!

Neighbors on the course made signs honoring Greta, cheered and encouraged everyone up the hills. The WHS Class of 2006 flew in from all over the country.  Athletes in adaptive jogging strollers participated alongside 10 year olds, alongside 70 year olds; it felt like everyone was there. The gamut of age, race, gender, orientation and ability was inspiring - and, just the way Greta would’ve liked it.

The volunteers were organized and enthusiastic.  The Westfield Area Y was flawless.  The police were polite, the photographers were diligent, and the press is good!

Russell Fischer of Broadway’s Jersey Boys belted out our National Anthem in the COO’s pickup truck, the Sponsor banners hung the night before by Greta’s sister Tara, cousin Austin, and brother-in-law Luke, caught every bit of sunlight perfectly. Even the way volunteers lined up water cups and sliced the oranges was perfect.

Greta loved dragonflies, and wanted a small tattoo of one when she turned eighteen.  In her honor, all ages were given a temporary likeness by volunteers.  During the awards ceremony, members of the crowd and Schoenemann family even noticed a real one hovering above them.  In every detail, it felt like she was there.

Greta’s Run is a deeply personal effort and an extraordinary lesson in community.  When people come together a lot can be done, and done well.  I am so proud of this town, humbled by its people and the people who came to visit.  It’s an unbelievable feeling to see nearly everyone she loved in one space, amending a tragic day for the moment, with pure joy.

The morning before the race, I read something Greta’s sister Heidi wrote: “This year is the first in eleven years that I am looking forward to September 15th.  It is going to be such an amazing day.”

And, an amazing day it was!

Jayne Ruotolo and I hope you’ll join us in 2014.  Greta’s Run is a race to be proud of and cause to support.  We at the Westfield Area Y are pleased to unveil Special Needs Programs funded by your participation in Greta’s Run within the coming months! Stay tuned!

To view the results of the race please visit: http://www.westfieldynj.org/community/gretasrun, then click the link at the top of the page.

Thank you all for every kind word and bit of support!

See you next year!