A 'river of neon' ran through Milford Saturday the 12th as 419 registrants, wearing fluorescent T-shirts and glow necklaces and bracelets, ran or walked for the great cause of literacy at the Literacy Center of Milford's first-ever NEON NIGHTRUN 2014 challenge.
"The night couldn't have been more perfect," said Executive Director Tami Jackson. "The turnout was beyond our expectation, the weather cooperated beautifully, and excitement was in the air for the entire evening. People were staying fit for literacy, and having fun doing it!"
The 3.01-mile run began at the Rotary Pavilion (located behind the Library in downtown Milford), proceeded south on Helwig Street and looped around to New Haven Avenue, past the Milford Green, and back to the starting point. Bathed in moonlight, hundreds of bystanders watched the glowing race in progress under the first 'supermoon' of 2014, when the moon is at its closest point to the earth, which debuted in the summer nighttime sky.
Fastest Male- Matt Santillo with a time of 16:20
Fastest Woman- Leah Samson with a time of 19:59
Fastest Male 12 and under- Andrew Hertzog; 20:54
Fastest Female under 12- Erica Boehm; 34:14
Best Costume- Zach Toto and Sophia
Most Enthusiastic- Rosco the Dog
Best Group Theme- Milford Rotary Lobster Bake
Most Neon- James McGinn and Delaney O'Keefe
Most Illumination- Carrie Hopkins and Vladimir Dosantos
Highest Pledges- Sikorsky Credit Union
Most Senior Runner- Norman Bershtein at 88 years old!
The neon race was followed by a neon after party and glow drinks at the Indigo by the Water Restaurant.
The Literacy Center of Milford succeeded in raising over $10,000 thanks to event sponsors – the Sikorsky Credit Union, JSPOT and Mojoe's Gym, and Indigo by the Water Restaurant – and participants.
Says Mrs. Jackson, "Our NEON NIGHTRUN was so successful that the Center intends to include this new venue as part of our annual fundraising activities."
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