5K Race Will Honor Fallen Summit Officer Matthew Tarentino

SUMMIT, NJ — Making a Difference 5K and 1 mile Fun Run/Walk will be held on Sept. 9 in downtown Summit in honor of Matthew Tarentino who loved to run. Proceeds will benefit his family.

Tarentino, 29, was killed in a fatal three-car accident on Interstate 78 East in Bernards Township on May 30. Tarentino was married to Victoria and had two sons, Robert, 3, and Raymond, 2, and a third child due in August.

• See Related: Fallen Summit Officer Remembered As A Man Of 'Incredible Strength And Honor'

Tarentino, who was born and raised in Somerville, was a 2006 graduate of Immaculata High School. He graduated summa cum laude with a degree in communications from Rutgers University in 2011. He formerly was a tennis coach at Immaculata.

He then attended the Somerset County Police Academy and began his law-enforcement career with the South Bound Brook Police Department.

He then worked for the Rutgers University Police Department before joining the Summit Police Department. Tarentino was assigned to Summit's Community Policing Unit, where he was the D.A.R.E. program officer.

Though busy with his responsibilities as a father and police officer, he still ran regularly and was very competitive. His goal was to break 17 minutes in the 5K.

Race features:

• Scenic course through downtown Summit.
• Post-race food.
• A one-mile fun run (or walk).
• Prizes for top overall finishers and top finishers in 5 year age groups.

Cost:

One Mile Fun Run or Walk is $20 through Aug. 31 and $25 from Sept. 1 to Sept. 8. The 5k Run is $30 until Aug. 31 and $35 from Sept. 1 to Sept. 8.

For more information on the Making A Difference 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk and to register CLICK HERE.

(Image via Summit Police Department)

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