Local gym runs to brewery, raises funds for cancer center

Silk City Fit organized a five-kilometer run to Urban Lodge Brewing Co. on Halloween Day to raise money for Smilow Cancer Hospital in memory of Stephen Bresciano.

“Brez,” a 22-year veteran of the Manchester Police Department, passed away in October 2020 after his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 49.

A Manchester High School graduate, Bresciano began his career with the Connecticut Department of Corrections in 1994. Three years later he became an officer with Manchester Police. Throughout his tenure, he made a profound impact in the department and community. His career awards included the Medal for Distinguished Service, a Chief’s Citation, the Medal of Valor, the Medal for Life Saving, and the Medal for Meritorious Service. He retired from the department in 2019.

Located in the Manchester Industrial Park on Progress Drive, Silk City Fit has been providing group fitness classes and personal training for the greater Manchester community since 2011. Over 40 members, coaches, and friends registered to run on Sunday morning. Dubbed “The Halloween Brew Run,” attendees dressed in costumes and laced up their running shoes to make the 3.1-mile trek to Urban Lodge Brewing Co. located on Main Street.

Urban Lodge has been a local favorite since opening in 2019. Their goals go beyond crafting local brews, with collaborative events and community involvement guiding their mission of celebrating Manchester.

“This past summer when the owners of Silk City Fit were at [ULBC], we mentioned how much fun it would be to do a 5k run,” says Ella Cavanna, who has been planning events and clothing drives at the brewery since its inception. “When you have a group of people who are driven and energetic, these sparks of ideas manifest into full-fledged events.”

A “5K” is a 3.1-mile run and is the most popular distance for charity road races across the country. By coincidence, it’s also the exact distance between the two businesses.

Silk City Fit owners Sara and Cory Fullana saw an opportunity to organize an impactful event in memory of Sgt. Bresciano approximately a year after his passing. Fullana, a current MPD officer, thought it would be a great way to bring everyone together and raise money for the hospital Bresciano was treated in.

“Brez always made sure everyone was taken care of. That was the embodiment of his career,” says Fullana. “He was a true leader and the type of officer many aspire to be. While he may be gone, taking care of others is something we can do every day. That’s why we wanted to put this run together.”

Finishers were greeted at Urban Lodge with a beverage of choice, raffle tickets, and treats. Themed raffle baskets were up for grabs consisting of donations from Silk City Fit, Urban Lodge Brewing Co., Silk City Coffee, New Balance CT, Dick’s Sporting Goods, FitVine Wines, and ECM Sports Performance & Rehabilitation.

“I heard about [the event] and immediately knew I wanted to be a part of it,” says Dr. Emmanuel Caicedo, founder of ECM Sports & Rehabilitation. “I grew up in Manchester, and I know first-hand how connected this community is.”

The event raised nearly $1,000 for Smilow Cancer Hospital’s “Closer to Free” foundation. Located at the Yale-New Haven Cancer Center, the money will support their mission of pursuing the latest advances in cancer research and providing quality care to their patients.

"Being a part of a brewery is nice," says Cavanna. "But being a part of a brewery in Manchester is the best."