Thousands Put Hope In Motion For Stamford Hospital Walk And Run

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Thousands of people came out to Columbus Park in Stamford on Sunday for the 19th annual Hope in Motion Walk to benefit the Stamford Hospital Bennett Cancer Center.

Hannah Evans and her mom Kami after finishing the 5k race Sunday in support of the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Thousands of people walk in downtown Stamford in support of the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Runners celebrate as they cross the finish line of the 5k race at the Hope in Motion Walk and Run Sunday.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Runners in the Hope in Motion Walk and Run to benefit Stamford Hospital.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Onlookers cheer runners as they cross the finish line.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Runners sprint as they approach the finish of the Hope in Motion Walk and Run in Stamford.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Families ran the 5k and 10k races together Sunday at the Hope in Motion Walk and Run.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The staff of the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Cancer survivors gather onstage at the Hope in Motion Walk and Run.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

More than 2,600 people and 232 teams participated in the 5k walk.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

The event also featured food, music, a rock wall, and balloon animals and face painting from the Stamford Hospital Health and Humor Associates.
Photo Credit: *Casey Donahue*

Casey Donahue

06/02/2014 5:00 a.m.

The event featured a 5k walk and timed 5k and 10k races. About 1,500 people ran in the two races, with an additional 2,600 participating in the walk. There was also a bicycle ride held in Westport with the Sound Cyclists Bloomin' Metric Bicycle Tour.

Hope in Motion has so far raised more than $760,000 for the Bennett Cancer Center, which provides clinical care, support services, prevention and wellness services and post-treatment programs for cancer patients. Hope in Motion is a year-round fundraising initiative, with donations being accepted until September 30.

The event has grown every year it has been held, said Liz Manfredo, director of Cancer Services at the Bennett Cancer Center.

"It really is truly amazing to see the community come out to support the Bennett Cancer Center," Manfredo said. She said it was especially nice to see all the cancer survivors who participated in the race.

"This day energizes the staff every year. To see people we've treated come out and walk, support us and walk with their families, is truly heartwarming."

Among the runners of the 5k race was 7-year-old Hannah Evans, who ran with her parents Kami and Anthony.

"It was hard," said Hannah, who finished in about an hour. This was her first 5k and said it was the farthest she has ever run. She said she wants to come back for the race again next year.

The top finishers for the 5k race were:

Gilmar Barrios of Stamford, 16:10
Timothy Moylan of Stamford, 17:06
Kerri Lyons of Wilton, 17:27
Keith White of Norwalk, 17:44
Matthew Considine of Stamford, 18:21
Bruce Semer of Greenwich, 18:32
Daniel Berger of Stamford, 18:32
Kurt Koschnitzke of New Canaan, 18:42
James Neufeld of Stamford, 18:44
Kyle Webb of Stamford, 18:46

The top finishers of the 10k race were:

Alan Hagander of Darien, 36:45
Jeff Watson of Stamford, 36:52
Mary Zengo of Wilton, 37:32
Caitlin Stote of Stamford, 39:36
Robert Gallace of Southport, 39:43
Matthew Galione of Stamford, 39:57
Robert Pogue of Stamford, 40:10
Sonali Pawar of Stamford, 40:18
Bill Hunter of Fairfield, 41:11
Amber Johnston of Stamford, 41:47

Click here to see full results for the race.

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