The eighth annual St. Patrick’s Day-themed Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K was held on on Sunday, March 25, 2018, in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square, and raised more than $60,000 for local nonprofits.
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
By Ronni Newton. Photos by Sean Flanagan and Hunter Marotto
The weather on Sunday morning in West Hartford was chilly, but even though nature did not provide much spring green color, a sea of green filled West Hartford’s Blue Back Square as runners, walkers, and supporters gathered for the eighth annual St. Patrick’s Day-themed Johnny’s Jog for Charity.
“It was the biggest Johnny’s Jog we have ever had. This community is so incredibly generous,” said Laura Moran, a West Hartford resident who along with her husband, Dan Moran, and Dan and Kelly Clark, started the 5K fundraising event in 2011.
Johnny’s Jog for Charity is much more than a road race. It was inspired by the incredible, brave, but sadly brief life of Laura and Dan Moran’s son, Johnny, who was born in 2007 with Wieaker Wolff Syndrome, a rare and debilitating condition. Johnny passed away in April 2016, but the organization and race founded in his honor continue to celebrate his resilience and strength, and bring the community together.
The event included face-painting, Irish step dancers and leprechauns, bagpipers and other music, and a silent auction and raffle at Rizzuto’s following the race.
This year there were 850 participants who ran or walked in the 5K, Laura Moran said. There were also 70 volunteers, 126 sponsors, and countless donors who contributed to the event’s success.
Greg Weaver of West Hartford was the first to cross the finish line, in 16:58, setting a record for the event. Maria Varela of West Hartford was the first female finisher, with a time of 19:58. For complete event results, click here.
Laura Moran said that more than $60,000 was raised this year for the charities that Johnny’s Jog supports. Since Johnny’s Jog for Charity, Inc. was formed, more than $350,000 has been raised.
The beneficiaries are Covenant Preparatory School of Hartford (provides tuition-free middle school to boys in underserved families in the City of Hartford in order to help them graduate academically prepared for further education), Miracle League of Connecticut (fosters a community and sports facilities that remove all barriers so young athletes with unique needs are able to join their friends and experience the joy and triumph of team sports in their purest form), and the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation (helps finance the purchase of much-needed medical supplies or services when insurance is exhausted and other social programs are unavailable).
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Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Greg Weaver (third from left) was the winner of the Johnny’s Jog for Charity 5K. Maria Varela (no. 364) was the first female finished, and Bruce Christenson (right) was second overall. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Sean Flanagan
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
Johnny’s Jog for Charity. March 25, 2018. Photo credit: Hunter Marotto
