It was a beautiful morning for the 24th Annual Delhi Covered Bridge Run that was held on Saturday, June 1. The event registered 462 people from eight states and ages ranging from 4 to 84, which was up 57 participants from the previous year. The race was organized by the Catskill Ladies Association to Support and Inspire (C.L.A.S.I) and included a 10K Run, 5K Run, and 5K Health Walk. New for 2019, a free Kids Fun Run was added as an additional option. There were 28 children, aged one through ten that participated in this newly added contest that featured a dinosaur chasing the children to the finish line.

Last year's second place winner and a top five finisher over the last five years in the bridge run was victorious this year. 31-year-old Michael Hamilton, of Oneonta, NY, finished the race in 35:44, a little over two minutes off the course record held by SUNY Delhi alumni, Justin Wood at 33:27. For the women, 21-year-old Nicole Mackey, of South New Berlin, NY, won the 10K race, with a time of 41:37, beating the course record of 42:27, set by Casandra Hamilton in 2017. This year's 5K race winner in the male category was 16-year-old Diego Aguirre, of Delhi with a time of 17:06. Diego beat the record he tied at last year's event by five seconds. 16-year-old Cella Schnabel, of Walton, got her first-place finish after coming in second place in last year's event. She was the first woman to cross the finish line in the 5K with a time of 20:04, beating the course record set by Julie Hilson in 2017 by 21 seconds.

Proceeds from the 2019 Delhi Covered Bridge Run will be contributed towards $1,000 college scholarships for local Delaware County graduating seniors. These seniors are Shania Bosley from Margaretville Central School and Joanna Grommeck from South Kortright. The essay contest called for seniors to write about a non-profit organization that had impacted their life in a positive way. Shania wrote about the Margaretville Central School Scitamard Club, which is dramatics spelled backward. Joanna wrote about the Backpack Program that provides children who are at risk of hunger over the weekend and holiday vacations with a backpack full of nutritious foods that will supplement their meals. Both groups will receive a $1,000 donation.

Special thanks to all that helped to make this event possible. C.L.A.S.I Members, Leone Timing, Fire, EMS, Fire Police, Michael Mills and the Delhi Village Police Department, Delaware County Sheriff, New York State Troopers, SUNY Delhi University Police, Girls on the Run, D.C. CAN, ABC Dream Team, Bodo family (Ethan John Sackett Memorial Scholarship Fund), John Gray and the Delaware Academy Film Club, Greater Delhi Area Chamber of Commerce, O'Connor Hospital Pharmacy, Wayne Bank, Walton Radio Association, and all race participants and volunteers!

For more information call Race Director, Amy Beveridge at 607-278-5461.

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