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Locals hit the pavement at Annual Main Street 5k/10k Festival

| 23 Apr 2013 | 11:22
    Runners and walkers came from all over the tri-state area to compete.
    Runners and walkers came from all over the tri-state area to compete.
    Lauren Huffman, 38, of Branchville was the top female finisher in the 10K with a time of 41:55.
    Lauren Huffman, 38, of Branchville was the top female finisher in the 10K with a time of 41:55.
    Ashley Gordon, 7, of Newton.
    Ashley Gordon, 7, of Newton.
    Justin Henriksen of Hackettstown and James Celi of Newton.
    Justin Henriksen of Hackettstown and James Celi of Newton.

SPARTA — Runners and walkers from all over the tri-state area hit the pavement in Sparta as part of the 15th Annual Main Street 5K/10K Festival and Fitness Expo on Saturday, April 20.

The event — organized by Andy and Joy Ball of Main Street Events — kicked off the first of several races at 9:30 a.m.

“Every year we choose a different beneficiary,” said Ball. This year money was raised for Special Olympics New Jersey.

The Fieldhouse at Sparta hosted the expo the event where the interior was filled with vendors, athletes and spectators. Stop & Shop of Sparta, First Hope Bank of Sparta and Thorlabs of Newton and Eastern Propane of Oak Ridge were among the many sponsors.

The festival and fitness expo also attracted a few Garden State politicians and candidates for public office. Alicia Ferrante of Hampton, running in the June 4 Republican primary, Sussex County Freeholder Dennis Mudrick and Freeholder-elect George Graham were in attendance.

Medals, plaques and prizes were awarded to athletes in multiple categories.

Jeremy Scheid, 24, won the men's 5K in 17:09, while his brother Justin Scheid, 27, won the 10K in 32:48. The Sheids are from Sparta.

Lauren Huffman, 38, of Branchville, was the first female to finish the 10K in 41:55. The top female finisher in the 5K was Elena Rozhko, 40, of Morristown, who finished in 18:15. Josie Anker, 15, of Sparta, was the top female finisher in her age group (15-19) in the 5K.

— Photos by George LeRoy Hunter

For more photos visit www.TownshipJournal.com.