​Race For Reading Hits The Soggy Streets Of Newtown To Benefit Library

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The remnants of Hurricane Ian moved in overnight dampening the streets ahead of the 15th annual Race for Reading,

While Saturday’s wet weather held down the turnout - about 60 out of the 100 runners registered showed up - the 5K stepped off as scheduled with participants and organizers dodging raindrops.

Just after the start, a steady rain moved in dousing the runners as they raced through the neighborhood streets of Newtown.

In the pouring rain, 33-year-old Haley Germack of Newtown Borough was the first to cross the finish line in a race-shattering 18:10 minutes, which may be the fastest time ever for the race.

“I was excited,” said the young mother of her time. “I thought it was good especially considering the weather conditions.”

She was followed by 29 year old Nick Sava, also of Newtown, the first male to cross the finish line.

According to event chairperson Donna Gusty, this year about 60 participated in the race of of the 100 who had pre-registered.

“Out of 15 years, we have only had two rainy 5K’s, but we are so pleased people made the effort to come out and run on such a cold, rainy, gusty, windy day,” said organizer Donna Gusty. “We thank all of our sponsors for helping to support the Newtown Library Company, which relies on our memberships and our fundraisers. I'd also like to thank the Newtown Borough Police Department for keeping everyone safe."

The proceeds from the race will be used to purchase new books for the library, according to Gusty.

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 www.newtownlibrarycompany.org

This year’s 5K Race was supported by gold sponsor, the First National Bank of Newtown; silver sponsors, Keystone Answering Service, Newtown Rotary Club, Holland Floor Covering and Merrill (Sauerman & Associates); and bronze sponsors, the Bank of America, ReMax Dan McCloskey, Genesis Personal Fitness, Rick Steele’s Gulf, Barry Isett & Associates, Stalker and Associates, Johnson Kendall Johnson, Petro Home Service, the Neil Brassell Foundation, YogaSix, Pascarella Eye Care, Leck Waste and Always Advancing.