Irwin Ensslin win at Deer Memorial Run
GUILDERLAND It was a large turnout and a big celebration.
About 148 people came out for the biggest Brenda Deer Memorial Walk and Run this Saturday at the Guilderland YMCA.
This year marked the fifth-year anniversary for the event, held in honor of a young mother who was killed by a drunk driver while jogging near her home in 2000. For the second straight year, the weather was nice.
The nice temperature led to many race-day registrations.
The race was won by Robert Irwin of Guilderland. The 34-year-old chiropractor completed the course in 19 minutes flat. Christine Ensslin, 34, of Altamont was the first female finisher. She had a time of 23:03.
Norris Pearson, 41, of Troy was second in the mens division in 19:19. Rob Picotte, 54, of Slingerlands, was third in 20:36.
Teresa Martin-Berra, 39, of Slingerlands finished second in the female division with a time of 23:14. Julieanne Scanlan, 31, of Schoharie rounded out the top three in the womens division with a time of 23:16.
Race director Derrick Raeder of the Guilderland YMCA thanked all the races sponsors, which include WeatherGuard Roofing, Pine Bush Girls Softball, Levonian Brothers, Robinsons Ace Hardware, the Guilderland Police Department, and bounces by Sun Shine.
Raeder also said that an event like the Deer run could not be possible without the help and hard work of volunteers.
"We had over 30 people helping us out," he said, "and that is huge in being able to do something like this."
The event is named after Brenda Deer who was a Guilderland resident and avid runner. She was a teachers aide for six years at the Guilderland Elementary School and a mother of three children.
Deer was killed in 2000 when a drunk driver struck her as she was running with her husband on Route 155. Deers morning runs with her husband were a part of her daily routine.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to the YMCA Reach Out For Youth Campaign, benefiting the Circle of Champs Program that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children ages 5 to 15, who have been touched by a life-threatening illness.
Age-group results
Nicholas Earl, 11, of Rexford was the top finisher in the male 1-to-14 age group. Brian Deer, 14, of Milford, Mass. was second and Dan Gerety, 14, of Guilderland was third.
Jenny Kelly, 13, of Greenfield Center, was the top female runner in the group. Kerry Gerety, 8, of Guilderland was second and Shannon Gerety, 10, of Guilderland was third.
The 15-to-19 age group was won by Kile Wujciak, 18, of Corinth. Zachary Cowles, 17, of Corinth was second and Ronald Bovee, 15, of Corinth was third.
Lily Rowem, 17, of Altamont was the top female in the group. Jordan Mary Madison, 15, of Corinth was second and Danielle Koster, 18, of Corinth was third.
Matthew Toper, 23, of Guilderland topped the 20-to-24 age category. In the female group, Alicia Ventresca, 24, of Ballston Lake was first. Bridget Kerling, 24, of Slingerlands was second, and Maureen Pelletier, 24, of East Berne was third.
Chris Winslow, 28, of Guilderland was first in the 25-to-29 age group. John Deer, 25, of Albany was second and Dan Messier, 27, of Albany was third.
Kari Deer, 28, of Albany was first in the female age group. Eileen Dunn, 25, of Guilderland was second and Kate Tymeson, 29, of Waterford was third.
Chris Scanlan, 32, of Schoharie won the male 30-to-34 age group. Mike Tymeson, 33, of Waterford was second and Kevin McKay, 33, of Albany was third.
Kelly Tynan, 34, of Schenectady was first in the female group. Marcy Raeder, 31, of Schenectady was second, and Victoria Wagner, 33, of Altamont was third.
Rob Sheftel, 38, of Troy was first in the 35-to-39 age group. Jonathan Bright, 37, of Slingerlands was second and David Shumpert, 36, of Clifton Park was third.
Stacie Masullo, 39, of Altamont was first in the female category. Joanne Dingwall, 35, of Schenectady was second and Karen Cusato, 39, of Schenectady was third.
The male 40-to-44 age category was won by Richard Witaker, 42, of Ballston Spa. Terry Seery, 43, of Altamont was second and Mike Brooks, 42, of Slingerlands was third.
Evelyn Deer, 43, of Milford, Mass. topped the female group. Bridgette Chozbajia, 41, of Schenctady was second and Judy Seery, 41, of Altamont was third.
Julius Pasquariello, 47, of Rotterdam topped the male 45-to-49 age group. Frank Deer, 45, of Milford, Mass. was second and Randy Goldberg, 48, of Schenectady was third.
Kathleen Goldberg, 48, of Schenectady was the top female in the group. Susan Sikule, 48, of Altamont was second and Cameron McLean, 49, of Albany was third.
William Teetz, 54, of Johnstown won the male 50-to-54 age group. John Mounteer, 53, of Altamont was second and Frank Fazio, 53, of Albany was third.
Kathy Dillinger, 50, of Guilderland was the first female finisher in the group. Barbara Sorrell, 50, of Delmar was second and Margaret Pangman, 50, of Cobleskill was third.
Tom McGuirk, 55, of Slingerlands topped the male 55-to-99 age group. Paul Forbes, 57, of Colonie was second and Greg Rickes, 57, of Latham was third.
Phyllis Fox, 55, of Loudonville was the first female in the group. Alice Carpenter, 57, of Delmar was second and Nancy Johnston, 61, of Ballston Lake was third.