5K Brings on Summer

Collin Smith crossed the finish first overall and Poppy Strycker Sherman was the first girl to finish in her age category (1 year–9 years).

The first day of summer 2025 provided the running community and neighbors of all ages participating in the 2025 Dime McCarren 5K with a beautiful, sunny morning in the mid 70°Fs. It was a lucky 13^th running of this fundraiser that supports St. Nicks Alliance’s community services. Weather reports a couple weeks prior showed rain, but the sun was out and the temperature was mild.

St. Nicks Alliance Executive Director Michael Rochford speaks right before the 2025 Dime McCarren 5K starts! Also pictured, (far right) Steve Miley, exec. vice president/chief marketing officer of Dime Community Bank.)

Congratulations to those finishing first in their categories.

Collin Smith came in first overall, running the 5K in 15:54.11; he was 17.10 seconds faster than Jerry Faulkner, who came in second.

In the women’s category, Marie Barnett and Tina Laritz were so neck and neck that Elite Feats’ photos at the finish makes it look like Laritz, who came in second, had won the category. However, Barnett crossed the finish a little more than a half second faster than Laritz.

The top two female finishers of the 2025 Dime McCarren 5K (l to r) Gregory Vlahakis (Dime Community Bank, vice president/CRA manager), Jordan Ashley (Elite Feats), Marie Barnett (1^st), and Tina Laritz (2^nd).

The run is for all ages, and it’s such an inspiration to see older and younger runners give it their all and do well. Solomon Winter finished first among men aged 70—99. He is 75, and his time was 26:40.63 averaging a mile every 8.35 minutes. As for one of the youngest: Poppy Strycker Sherman ran the 5K in 39:28.55 and was the first girl to finish in her age category (1 year–9 years).

Nuestros Niños accepts one of three civic awards at the McCarren 5K for their work educating the community’s children for 52 years. (l to r) Gregory Vlahakis (Dime Community Bank, vice president/CRA manager), Jordan Ashley (Elite Feats) Miguelina Duran (network director of FCCN for Nuestros Niños), Ingrid Chungata (executive director of Nuestros Niños), Michael Rochford (executive director St. Nicks Alliance), and Kim Gabriel (St. Nicks Alliance Board).

In addition to the 5K main event, awards for civic service were presented to: Nuestros Niños for their work educating the community’s children for 52 years, Broadway Builders for hiring graduates from Workforce Development’s construction training, and Geraldine Lawrence for her work on the Cooper Park Residents Council and with School Settlement Association Home Care.

Geraldine Lawrence accepts her civic award for her work on the Cooper Park Residents Council and with School Settlement Association Home Care. (l to r) Gregory Vlahakis (Dime Community Bank, vice president/CRA manager), Jordan Ashley (Elite Feats), Michael Rochford (executive director St. Nicks Alliance) Geraldine Lawrence, and Kim Gabriel (St. Nicks Alliance Board).

Broadway Builders were presented a civic award for partnering with Workforce Development and placing graduates in construction jobs. (l to r) Gregory Vlahakis (Dime Community Bank, vice president/CRA manager), Jordan Ashley (Elite Feats), Michael Bulzoni (project exec. Broadway Builders), Michael Rochford (executive director St. Nicks Alliance), and Kim Gabriel (St. Nicks Alliance Board)

St. Nicks Alliance would like to thank Dime Community Bank for once again being their lead sponsor. Additional appreciation goes to North Brooklyn Runners (NBR), Brooklyn Running Co (store at 222 Grand St) for sponsoring top finisher gift certificates, Capri Jet Realty for sponsoring the finish line water table, the NYPD including the 94^th Precinct, and City Hall. Also a huge thank you to: all runners, walkers, awardees, and the community that came out to cheer the runners on!