3rd Annual Nut-Ridge Classic 5k
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Welcome
This is the official website of the Pete Holowka Memorial Nut-Ridge Classic 5k Road Race. To access the Pete Holowka Foundation website, Click here. To access race info, registration, and more, use the menu found at the top of the page.
Bulletin:
Meet Last Year's Recipients
College Running Commits Kirsten Melnik and Jack Stanford Take Home the First-Ever Pete Holowka Memorial Scholarship
Last year we received applications from numerous extremely well qualified athletes. Let's take a look at who stood above the rest, determined by the board of the Pete Holowka Foundation.
Kirsten Melnik
Kirsten is a middle distance and distance runner who graduated from Springville Griffith Institute. She will be continuing to run in college at the NCAA Division I level attending Northeastern University, which competes in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA)
Melnik is a four-time NYSPHSAA Section VI champion in the 1500 meter run, a fifteen-time School Record Holder at Springville, and has finished 3rd in the NYSPHSAA Class C Cross Country Championship her senior year.
Scholarships being presented during the post-race awards ceremony by Joseph Bertola and Bella Ascone; Race organizers and former athletes of Pete's
Jack Stanford
Jack is a cross country and track athlete who graduated from Williamsville North High School. He will be continuing to run in college at the NCAA Division I level attending Canisius University, which competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Stanford's specialty is the 3000 meter steeplechase, where he's ran 9:48 to secure a NYSPHSAA Section VI title and a trip to the NYSPHSAA Championship meet. Other Notable performances include a 4:31 1600 meter and 9:34 3200 meter run.
Scholarship recipients posing with race organizers and Pete's family
Custom laser-engraved grill spatulas awarded to the top 3 overall male and female finishers
A crowd of one hundred runners line up at the start line
First Annual Nut-Ridge Classic was a Major Success!
With over $10,000 raised from sponsors, donations, and race entries, the Nut-Ridge Classic had an an incredible inaugural run. 100 participants took to the course for the first time ever, which proved to be a challenging but rewarding experience for many. On the men's side, Armani Merlino of Lancaster, NY took home the first place spatula with a time of 16:08, and Mary Giza of Depew, NY took first for the women completing the course in an equally impressive time of 18:56. These will likely prove to be tough course records to break, adding to the competitive nature of this event for years to come. We loved seeing everyone run for such a special cause and can't wait for next year's second annual Nut-Ridge Classic. More photos and results can be accessed using the menu found at the top of the page.
-JB
Left to right: Race directors Joseph Bertola and Darren Ascone pose with Pete's mother, Alice, and friends Rich Skrabucha and Jay Longo after the race.
Left to right: Joseph Bertola, Liam Hilbert, Ryan Buzby, Jacob Brink, Cory Demo, and Matt Gensel hold hands approaching the finish line
Top three female finishers all together at just over 1 km into the race.
All smiles from these runners!
Our lovely water station and volunteers
A large group battling it out in the early stages of the race