'Race For Reading’ Books Its Way Through The Streets Of Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The 16th annual Race for Reading hit the streets of Newtown Borough Saturday morning in support of the Newtown Library Company.

Organizers kept an eye to the sky as about 100 runners lined up for the race, which stepped off on time under warm and dry conditions.

Just moments before, the runners were limbering up with an instructor from YogaSix and receiving last minute instructions.

The race stepped off on Centre Avenue and headed east taking participants on a tour of the residential neighborhoods of the borough. Among this year’s participants were borough secretary Judy Musto and her husband, Bob, and Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke and his daughters Bridget and Erin.

The race steps off heading east on Centre Avenue.

Rotary NextGen and the Newtown Rotary Club, which helped sponsor the event, were well represented at the event.

The first to cross the finish line was Nick Accardo, 25, of Washington Crossing. The Council Rock graduate clocked in at 18:25.

The first female to cross the finish line was 49-year-old Joanna Holzman of Newtown posting a time of 26:14.

Steve Cickay of Newtown Township was the top finisher in the 65 and older category with a time of 25:15.

Newtown Library board member Christine Sciarrotta with this year's overall race winner, Nick Accardo, of Washington Crossing.

Newtown Library board member Christine Sciarrotta with this year's first female finisher, Joanna Holzman of Newtown.

Newtown Library board member Christine Sciarrotta with Steve Cickay of Newtown who finished first in the age 65 and over category.

Library board member Christine Sciarrotta, who helped direct this year's race, said she was thrilled with the turnout especially given the threat of rain looming in the forecast.

"We probably had about 100 runners, which is on par with a typical race," she said.

“We thank all of our sponsors for helping to support the Newtown Library Company, which relies on our memberships and our fundraisers," said Sciarrotta. "The library is a wonderful little gem in our community."

The 5K Race is one of three major fundraisers organized each year in support of the Newtown Library Company. The library also benefits from a late winter Booklover’s Cocktail Party and its annual Amazing Race (Newtown Edition) held in the spring.

Newtown Library Company, the oldest continually operating library in Bucks County, is a nonprofit that relies on membership fees and donations for support. It is located at 114 East Centre Avenue, Newtown, and can be reached by calling 215-968-7659 or visiting w.newtownlibrarycompany.org

This year’s 5K Race was sponsored by The First National Bank of Newtown, Newtown Athletic Club, Keystone Answering Service, Always Advancing, Newtown Rotary Club, Action Karate, Holland Floor Covering, Petro Home Service, Neil Brassell Foundation, Athletic Shoe Shop, Rick Steele’s Auto Service, Simply Cabinetry, ReMax Dan McCloskey, Newtown Printing, Pascarella Eye Care, Johnson Kendall Johnson, Barry Isett & Associates, and Piccolo Trattoria.

Newtown Borough Mayor John Burke ran the race with daughters Bridget and Erin.