2004 Westfield Downtown Pizza Race Preview

In just its third year the Westfield Downtown 5K and Pizza Extravaganza hasbecome an event not to be missed by runners or pizza lovers, which even in thisAtkins diet crazed world are still synonymous. The race, which starts at 7 pmWednesday at the corner of East Broad and Elm Streets, has shown phenomenalgrowth in its first two years, going from 893 runners and 250 pizzas the firstyear to 1205 runners and 375 pizzas last year.

Sherry Cronin, Executive Director of the Downtown Westfield Corporation(DWC)is expecting 1500 runners, who should munch down over 400 pizzas this yearmaking the race one of the top ten running events in New Jersey.

The race was the brainchild of Alan DeRose, an avid runner and Chairman of theDWC.“He wanted to create an event which would showcase the vibrant downtown andbeautiful residential areas,” said Cronin.

The race begins on the corner of Broad and Elm and winds its way throughMindowaskin Park before heading down Tuttle Parkway past Roosevelt School Theraces heads down Edgewood Avenue and the 2 Mile mark is on Effingham Place. Thelast mile is a slightly uphill straightaway down Elm Street. Anthony DeBenedictis (14:58) and Julie Culley (17:49) set the course records last year inwinning their divisions.

But the end of the race only signals the beginning of an entertaining andpallet satisfying evening. There will be a DJ and live music provided by theMichael Craig Band and lots and lots of pizza. It will be a team effort of thedowntown pizzerias and restaurants.“Cosimo's Pizzeria & Restaurant will be supplying 200 pizzas. Ferraro'swill be supplying 120 pizzas, and Gennaro's Pizzeria and Restaurant willbe supplying 50 pizzas, and the remaining to be determined. We expectto need over 400 pizzas at this time.,” said Cronin.

For the third straight year the race production will be handled by MarkZenobia, of On Your Mark Productions,.” He does a terrific job ,” said Croninwho also mentioned the Westfield Jaycees who provides many volunteers fordistributing pizzas. In addition, volunteers from the DWC,WestfieldCorporation, the Westfield Y, and the Girl Scouts also assist. Businesses alsosupport the event by sponsoring the event and providing promotional items forthe runner’s bags.

Among the participants will be Mayor George McDermott.“Mayor McDermott and his family love this event. They have run in theevent in the past.,” said Cronin. McDermott, his wife Andrea, and son, Bryan is all registered this year. The first 600 registered runners will receive embroidered caps and the first1500 get T-shirts. The pre-registration fee is $20 and is $25 the day of therace. And everybody will have plenty of pizza to eat-no matter how long therace takes them.