Nearly perfect autumn weather drew hundreds of runners, walkers, youth marathon finalists, kid fun run participants, family members, friends, and a crew of more than 50 volunteers to the 5th Annual Race For The River! in Cambridge, New York. Cool morning temperatures and a clear blue sky attracted a record number of runners and walkers to this annual Battenkill Conservancy-New York fund-raising event. Over 500 people came to the Battenkill Sportsquarters in Cambridge (Town of Jackson) New York from as far away as Florida, Colorado, and California for the day's festivities.

 Anita Gabalski, Race Director and a member of the Board of Directors of the Conservancy, announced that a record number of 160 walkers and runners registered for the 10K race and 4.4 mile Community Fitness Walk along the Battenkill in the Towns of Jackson and Salem, New York. In addition, an enthusiastic group of young runners completed the last leg of the 26.2 mile 2000 Race For The River! Youth Marathon. Not to be outdone, dozens of  youngsters between the ages of 2 and 12 participated in the Kids' Fun Run.

 The Conservancy also announced that the Race For The River! raised more than $10,000 for the support of the organization's land conservancy, RiverWatch, public policy, and public education programs.

 Defending champions Steve Cammisa, of Vestal, New York, and Kathleen Newton of Bennington, Vermont returned to hold on to their first place titles.  The highlight of the day, however, was the dual first place finish of Cammisa and John Waldron of Saranac Lake, New York, long time running  teammates. Cammisa and Waldron broke the finish line tape in 35:05. Newton was first among all female runners with a time of 41:23, beating her 1999 time of   41:35. For the third year in a row, Donna and Bill Masters of Troy swept the walkers' division in the 4.4 mile Community Fitness Walk. Bill's time of 44:4 beat his previous course record of 45:32

 The 160 Race For The River! entrants came from all over Northeastern New York, the Adirondacks, Western New York, Central New York, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida, Colorado and California.
 
 Jeremy Neill of Bennington, Vermont took second place overall in the 10K men's division with a time of 36:33. Lynn Vallee, of Altona, New York,  took second place overall in the women's division with a time of 42:18. Ann Houser of Manchester, Vermont took 3rd place in the womens overall with a time of 44:45.
 
 Phil Jessen of Hartford, New York, took First  Place in the Mens Master's Division (ages 40 and over) with a time of 38:06 followed by Mark Sager with a time of 39:18, and in third place, Norm Hecker with a time of 39:25.  Greenwich resident Jennifer Kuzmich led the Womens Master's Division with a time of 50:24. Greenwich resident Judy Patrick and Nadia Stadnyk took second and third place, respectively, with times of 50:34 and 50:53.

 Individual standout performances included Bennington resident Eddie Doucette who shattered the course record for the 70 and older age group by nearly four minutes with a time of 45:50, and 10 year old Cambridge resident Caitlin Lane with a lightning time for her age of 47:42. Race For The River! age group records were also set by Jessica Dunton (female, 19 and under); Andrew Nowell (male, 35-39); and Jan Perrin(female, 45-49).

 Will Venner and Kayla Sullivan were the boys' and girls' winners of the Youth Marathon Finale. Will, Kayla, and the other young runners ran 25 verified miles over the course of the summer.  The Youth Marathon runners ran their last 1.2 mile lap on Sunday to the cheers of their families, friends,  and  fans. All Youth Marathon finishers received a specially designed medallion to mark their achievement.

 The Kids Fun Run featured a Run to the Scarecrow along a path lined by Pie Pumpkins donated by Hayes Produce.  Each finisher received a specially designed childrens medallion provided by KEYA Pewter of Shushan, New York and a certificate for a free ride on the Batten Kill Rambler Scenic Train.

 Award medallions for all race winners were provided by KEHA Pewter.  Area merchants donated prizes selected by the top three overall 10K male and female finishers,  male and female Masters finishers, and first place male and female walkers.

 Post-race party refreshments included natural spring water provided by Vermont Pure, bagels and cream cheese provided by Bagel Works,  pasta and sauce provided by the Cambridge IGA and Casa Visco Speciality Foods, ice cream provided by The Ice Cream Man, yogurt and orange juice provided by Crowley Foods, salsa and tortilla strips provided by Green Mountain Gringo, coffee provided by Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, soft drinks provided by Stewart's,  fresh fruit provided by Grand Union, and chocolate chip cookies by. Freihofer's Once again, Cambridge IGA also provided place settings for the hundreds in attendance.

 The Awards Ceremony marked the end of the Battenkill Conservancy's year 2000 Race For The River! Fund-raising Campaign. In post race remarks, Anita thanked all of the local merchants and businesses for their generous financial and in-kind support which has made the race one of the area's premier 10 K running events. Lewis Steele, Conservancy Chair, announced that as a result of the generosity of an anonymous donor who has notified the organization that it would pay the costs associated with the year 2000 race,  the Race For The River! raised more than $10,000. The money will be used to support the organization's land conservancy, RiverWatch, public policy, and public education programs.

 In year 2000, a record number of 80 local, regional and national businesses and companies contributed financial support, in- kind services, and product or raffle donations to the 5th Annual Race For The River!  The Fort Miller Group, Inc.; KEYA Pewter of Shushan; Ed Levin Jewelry; The Phantom Laboratory; The Orvis Company; Battenkill Sportsquarters; Country Properties Real Estate of Cambridge; and Battenkill Canoe, Ltd.  were this year's Gold sponsors. The Race For The River! also had 41 Silver Sponsors and 31 Contributing Sponsors.
 
 Anita also expressed the Battenkill Conservancy's appreciation to the Washington County Sheriff's Department for its excellent traffic control, and to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad who stood by during the race with emergency vehicles to provide  medical services if necessary.  She also paid special thanks to the Battenkill Sportsquarters, whose facility has hosted the race for the past 5 years, to the Batten Kill Valley Runners Club who co-sponsored the raceand to the more than 250 race day runners, walkers, and youth marathon finalists.

 
 

2000 Race Results

2000 Race Sponsors