Town of Milton is True Winner of Annual Road Race

In a race held in Milton that benefits Milton it is only right that the most successful runners in Tuesday's 33^rd Annual Junior Woman's Club Milton Road Race were from the town.

The top runners in the men's and women's 5K and the men's and women's 10K events are all from Milton including husband and wife duo, Jason Cakouros and Eileen Cakouros, who took the 10K titles.

Jason Cakouros ran the 6.25 miles course in 34:54. He was followed by fellow Milton residents Justin Renz (35:57) and Patrick Madden (38:10).

In the women's 10K Eileen Cakouros finished in 43:22, ahead of Hingham's Lauren Frazier (43:51) and Milton's Lauren Smith (44:01).

The 5K race, which began about 10 minutes before the 10K, Kevin Walsh, Milton, came in first with a time of 19:13. Walsh finished ahead of John Hynes (19:53) and Hassan Haydar (20:06).

The all-Milton top three in the women's 5K was led by Rebecca Padera at 20:29. Kelly Larsen finished second with a time of 21:15, and Tracey Doiron (23:47) came in third.

The Milton staple drew 501 runners, with 240 men and 261 women.  According to Road Race Director Eve Nightingale, the race fits nicely into distance runners' schedule so the Tuesday night race usually includes a lot of repeat runners.

The popular race was given a boost in 2005 when the hilly and challenging residential route was officially certified as a 5K and 10K course.

Aside from being dominated by residents and being held on town roads, Milton will benefit from the entry fees as well. The Road Race is the Milton Junior Woman's Clubs biggest annual fundraiser.

"All the money we raise stays right here in Milton," Nightingale said. Funds like those raised at the race go to a variety of Milton programs including five Milton High School scholarships.

Town sponsors like the Fruit Center, Milton Police Department, Thatcher Farms, Abby Park and more helped finance the event.

Members of the Junior Woman's Club also chipped in by volunteering at the race. "Without everyone from the Junior Woman's Club volunteering, it wouldn't go off as smoothly as it does," Nightingale said.