Dozens of awards and medals were presented to the top finishers in the 27th annual Woodbridge Crossroads of New Jersey 5K, but the real winners of Sunday’s charity event are Middlesex County children in need.
All proceeds from the race at Alvin P. Williams Memorial Park, which was run on a USA Track & Field certified course along the scenic waterfront of the township’s Sewaren section, benefit The Marisa Tufaro Foundation.
Since its inception seven years ago, the foundation has donated more than $350,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and underserved children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.
Please click HERE to view a gallery of photos from the Woodbridge Crossroads of New Jersey 5K
Awards were presented to the top overall male and female runners, to the top three male and female performers in a dozen age groups ranging from 12-and-under to 80-and over, and to the top boys and girls finishers from Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) cross country and track and field programs.
The Joseph A. Ward Memorial Trophy – named after the founder of the Woodbridge Crossroads 5K – was presented to the top male and female runners who are township residents.
Jim Gano of Crown Trophy in Flemington donated Marisa Tufaro Memorial plaques, which were awarded to the top boys and girls runners from GMC high schools.
Please click HERE for complete race results
Roman Fabbricatore, a 2019 J.F. Kennedy High School graduate who set school records in the 3200 and steeple chase as a senior, was the race’s overall winner, clocking in at 15:53.40. The Colonia resident currently runs for The College of New Jersey.
Liz Campbell, also of Colonia and an alumna of Mount Saint Mary Academy who enjoyed a stellar four-year career as a distance runner at the University of New Hampshire, was tops among female entrants and third overall with a time of 18:48.19. She was the defending female division champion.
The top male and female high school performers from the GMC, respectfully, were Shaurya Telang, a rising sophomore at J.F. Kennedy, and Lux Baumgartner-Prew, a rising freshman at Woodbridge. Telang placed fourth overall and Baumgartner-Prew had the third best time among female runners.
Alex Dobrowolski, 84, of Highland Park won the 80-and-over division. Dobrowolski and his daughter, Holly, have the distinction of being the oldest father-daughter team to complete a marathon on every continent.
Frank Noppenberger, executive director of the GMC who serves on The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s Board of Trustees, won the 70-74 age group.
Steve Jobin, president and chief executive officer of the Raritan Bay Area YMCA, won the 55-59 division, while State Senator Joseph Cryan placed among the top three finishers in his age group.
“Every year, the Annual Crossroads of New Jersey 5K race exemplifies our commitment to promoting healthy lifestyles and community spirit in Woodbridge Township,” Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac said prior to the race. “This year we are especially proud to donate all proceeds to The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, supporting a cause that assists so many children in need in our community and throughout Middlesex County. Organized through the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign and our dedicated Recreation Department, this race offers participants the chance to enjoy the beautiful Sewaren waterfront while contributing to a meaningful cause.”
In addition to the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign, other race sponsors included Wegmans, The Club at Woodbridge, and The Woodbridge Community Center.
All race participants received a complementary wristband from The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which is eternally grateful for the outstanding support it has received from the entire Woodbridge community.
Woodbridge has hosted charity all-star football and basketball games and a charity bowling tournament benefiting the nonprofit. Countless student-athletes and coaches from the township’s three high schools have participated in fundraising events and drives for the foundation.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, which makes community service an integral part of its mission, has also spearheaded multiple initiatives, resulting in the collection of thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter coats, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.
The foundation has awarded 42 college academic scholarships totaling $33,000 to high school seniors – 13 of whom are graduates of Woodbridge Township high schools – and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy honored The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in 2023 with its prestigious Barnes Community Champion Award, while Hands of Hope for the Community earlier this year recognized the nonprofit for its “dedicated efforts in fostering positive change within the community” as the honoree of its annual fundraiser. In October, the Edison Chamber of Commerce will recognize The Marisa Tufaro Foundation as its Organization of the Year at the chamber’s 25th Annual Meeting & Awards Reception at The Pines Manor.
Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 at the age of 13 to a rare form of cancer following a valiant battle.
Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctor’s appointments, Marisa Tufaro was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in myriad extracurricular activities. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.
“We’ve been blessed beyond words with amazing support from so many people, including the Woodbridge community,” said Marisa’s mother, Cyndi Tufaro, who is the foundation’s executive director.
“We don’t take a second donated or a penny raised for granted. The kindness and generosity of Woodbridge residents has been extraordinary.
“We can’t thank township officials and race organizers enough for adopting The Marisa Tufaro Foundation as their beneficiary.
“We hope the benevolence of the entire Woodbridge community is exponentially returned.”