Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

On yet another glorious weather day gracing the region, the 6th Annual Tavern Trot held September 16 in historic Windsor, Connecticut, drew a record number of participants. Surpassing a goal of seven hundred set by the event planning committee, a preliminary tally showed 742 runners and walkers had signed on by the close of registration at noontime Sunday.

“We have a great turnout,” said Mike Deneen, a runner and part owner of the Union Street Tavern that hosted the 3.5 mile road race.

Spirits were high for the race that is also a fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a non-profit organization which raises money to fight pediatric cancer. Liz Flynn Scott who grew up in Windsor and is the  the mother of the founder of ALSF, Alexandra “Alex” Flynn Scott, addressed the

crowd of runners at they waited eagerly at the starting line. She then fell in at the rear of the racers, to walk with her nephew Alex Inytkin, 6, who has tubular sclerosis.

“Alex” Scott lost her battle with cancer in 2004 at age 8 and Liz Flynn Scott said she is amazed to see the growing number of activities that continue in her daughter’s memory.

 

She noted she and, or, her husband Jay Scott who also grew up in Windsor, Conn., try to attend as many events as possible held for ALSF.

“The Tavern Trot is a ‘must attend’ for us. Either my husband or I, or both of us attend. We have so many connections here, friends, family. We feel very lucky. The number of events held for Alex’s Lemonade astounds me, it is humbling. These people get nothing for doing this but just want to help carry on Alex’s work. It is inspiring,” said Liz Flynn Scott.

Proceeds from this year’s race will add to the tens of thousands of dollars raised for ALSF by the Tavern Trot since it began.

Crossing the finish line first with a time of  19:54 was Gregory Weaver. For the women, Dani Kennedy had the best time, 24:00. New this year, a sensor time clock was added.

“This is my fourth consecutive year winning,” said Weaver, 32.

 

“I have run all six years. I love this event because it’s a late start, a 12:30 (p.m.) start,” said Weaver, a lawyer for the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hartford firm of Rogin, Nassau, LLC.

Following Weaver’s interview with newsandviewsjb and another reporter, WIN TV was waiting to talk with him. Laughing, Weaver said, “But this is the most press I’ve ever gotten.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

A first time participant, Brian Cocuzzo headed for the table filled with cut bananas and lemon slices available for runners at the end of the race.

“It’s mixed, trails and roads so it’s pretty good and there were elevations. It was fun,” he said.

Among the other sights and sounds of the day were:  Ashley Marsella who sang “The Star-Spangled Banner”; Joe D’Ambrosio – NBC Connecticut sports anchor and radio voice for University of Connecticut sports – serving as master of ceremonies; the Stars & Stripes flying high above the racers – courtesy of a Windsor Volunteer Fire Department ladder truck; a lovely quilt- hand crafted by teachers Kathy Wakefield and Diane Mullins from Roger Wolcott school- that was raffled off to benefit ALSF; a bagpiper who played on one corner of Union Street where runners approached the last stretch of the race, and, Margaret Korhonen of East Granby who also positioned herself on the oppositie corner, shaking maracas to cheer on the runners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I recently started triathloning and I have some friends who are running today,” said Korhonen, “I don’t care if they win or what their time is, I wanted to be here to cheer everyone on.”