West Morris Central 5K Memorial Ready For Fifth Race

In December of 2006, two students–Tanner Birch and Kyleigh D’Alessio–died in a tragic car crash, shocking the community.

Birch, 17, and D’Alessio, 16, were both student-athletes; Birch being a thrower on the high school track team, and D’Alessio a runner for the cross country team. As the 2006-07 squad began to compete without its teammates, the athletes decided that something needed to be done in their honor.

A memorial scholarship fund was created in the students’ names, and the track team put together a Memorial 5K Walk / Run. The first year saw more than 600 people take part in the event, raising more than $10,000, according to track coach,  West Morris Central physics teacher, and event coordinator Jay Herrigel.

“The kids wanted to do something for Tanner and Kyleigh,” said Herrigel, “and we came up with this. It’s a great event every year, and it’s for a great cause.”

Now entering its fifth year, the event hasn’t been able to replicate the success it found during the inaugural race, but the 2011 event is adding more for the participants.

The $25 entry fee includes a tee-shirt, snacks and drinks, live bands during the event, prizes to top three males and females, and to have each participant’s time automatically calculated by CompuScore.

The course that is used for the race is the old cross-country course, which encompasses all of West Morris Central’s property.

“It’s great to see people come out for this,” said Herrigel. “There are a lot of people who participate that used to go to school here and know the course and remember training on it. It’s nice to see people year after year.”

For participants who register before May 7, a tee-shirt is guaranteed. All proceeds directly benefit the West Morris Central Memorial Scholarship Fund. The event begins at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at the high school. In-person registration begins at 11:30 a.m.

For more information on the event, go here, or see the flier attached to this article .pdf format.