Burn Foundation Benefits from Sea Isle City 5K Run

SEA ISLE CITY – On Sunday, Sept. 28, over 100 athletes competed in the 34th Annual Firefighter’s Memorial 5K Run on the promenade.
The event was first organized to honor the memory of eight Philadelphia firefighters who lost their lives battling the Gulf Oil Refinery fire in 1975 and all other local firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Funds raised during the race benefited the Burn Foundation of the Delaware Valley.
Once the 5K began, a children’s “Fun Run” soon followed on the promenade. The top winners in that race were Mackenzie Murphy, 7, Philadelphia, first place, and Aron Steckel, 7, West Wildwood, second.
The first 5K-runner to cross the finish line was Ryan Meyer, 24, Philadelphia, with a finishing time of 18:08. Meyer, an algebra teacher at Father Judge High School, showed great sportsmanship after the race when he continually congratulated other competitors as they crossed the finish line.
The second place winner in the 5K, Michael Scythes, 50, Avalon , completed the race in 18 minutes, 16 seconds – only several steps behind Meyer. Tim Fisher, 17, Court House, finished in third place with a time of 18:27.
Other notable race participants included Colsey Moreland, 24, Ocean City and Hoboken, who took home a trophy for being the first woman to complete the 5K. Moreland is a graduate of Ocean City High School where she was a member of the women’s track and cross-country teams.
Additionally, Michael Bertolini, 88, Bridgeton, was the oldest runner to compete in the race.
In 34 years, Mr. Bertolini has never missed racing in any of the Firefighters 5K runs. To honor his dedication to the race and the firefighters of region, this year event organizers honored the retired octogenarian with a special trophy during an award ceremony that immediately followed the competition.