The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
MAY THE COURSE BE WITH YOU
Middlesex Community College marks 50th year with festive Cap & Gown 5K race
MIDDLETOWN >> Middlesex Community College’s 50th anniversary year will be marked this year with a festive pre-graduation race along the tree-lined roads near the reservoirs behind campus — and a party atmosphere that includes costumes, a DJ, photo booth, pizza and newly designed men’s and women’s tank tops for those who take part.
On the evening of May 12, the Cap & Gown 5K will take runners and walkers along a 3.1mile loop from Training Hill Road to Cedar Lane and Reservoir Road. This second annual Cap & Gown, which for 12 years was known as the $cholarship 5K & 10K Road Race & 4K Walk, was moved from October to May in 2016.
“It gives participants an excuse to dress up (and we know
how much runners like to do that),” said race codirector Christine M. Witkowski. “Also, by having it on a Friday night, we thought it could be more of a party with less competition from other races.”
MxCC first launched in 1966 as a branch of Manchester Community College, and in 1968, became an independent community college.
Michael Moller-Marino, 63, who graduated from MxCC in 1977, won second in his age group last year.
The son of former Mayor Anthony Marino, who died in 2015, admits he’s “not very fast.” Moller-Marino, now semi-retired, earned his associate’s degree in environmental science and biology at the state college.
He started running track in middle school at the former Woodrow Wilson Middle School, across the street from the current WWMS, now occupied by the Board of Education and apartments.
Moller-Marino then joined the Xavier High School cross-country and track teams, running all four years.
At Middlesex, “I continued to run the whole time there and ran most days,” said Moller-Marino, who said he was very competitive into his early 20s and would consistently place in the top 10 percent of his age group.
“In fact, I ran the same course as the Cap & Gown race with a professor friend and a couple of students.”
Moller-Marino has 10 marathons to his name, including qualifying for Boston in 2003, 2004 and 2006.
Now that he’s a little older, Moller-Marino said with a laugh, “my days of finishing second in races are over. When you get into the 60s division, there’s a lot less competition.”
He sees this year’s race as motivation to get back to his running form. “My goal now is to work up to 10- to 12-mile runs. I can’t wait to be able to get out on the road again with my buddies.” In fact, he’s looking forward to getting in shape for in November’s Airline Trail Ghost Run half-marathon in Hebron.
Rich Lenoce, director of the Center for New Media at MxCC, who took first place in his division last year, will participate again. “I have a medal and reputation as fastest MxCC employee and plan on maintaining that distinguished reputation,” he joked. “I will be defending the title with all of my being — particularly my legs. Only exhaustion, cramps, asthma and sudden death can stop me.
“It is the friendliest road race to attend with a great spirit of community. I heard the same from other runners last time,” Lenoce said.
Vicky Zakrzewski, who works for the Meriden Recreation Department and is volunteering this year, said she and her three sons attended MxCC. She started off at the college, attended for a couple years, then transferred to Central Connecticut State University for her four-year degree and earned her master’s degree at Post University.
Her three sons graduated from MxCC, as did their father, she said.
She also will be involved in the Loredana Nesci Memorial 5K Oct. 21 at Hubbard Park in Meriden, which is held in memory of Nesci, who died as a result of domestic violence. The event supports Meriden/ Wallingford Chrysalis and its work in creating safe families, Zakrzewski said.
Volunteering to help out at the Cap & Gown, she said, “was the most logical thing to do. The race was a way to give back to Middlesex in some small way. I can’t say enough about the college and what they do — the education, the teachers — people don’t know how much they do.”
The Cap & Gown takes place May 12 at 6 p.m., on campus at 100 Training Hill Road, and features a run/ walk and kids’ fun run. Register by Tuesday for $20; race day registration, which begins at 4:30 p.m., is $25; students are $15 and the kids’ run (at 5:30 p.m.) is free.
Costumes are strongly encouraged. Chip timing will be provided by Empire Timing Co. and the course is USATF-certified. Winners in each division will be awarded in a ceremony beginning at 6:45 p.m.: Under 12, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and older.
For information or to register, see mxcc.edu/5k, email mx-mxcc5k@mxcc.edu or call 860-343-5869.