By Lauren Young
Staff Writer
The 14th annual Chilly Chili 5k certainly lived up to its name this year in Cazenovia. Beginning the race at a cool 5 degrees, nearly 450 runners proved undeterred by the slippery and snowy Cazenovia streets as they were cheered on by bundled-up onlookers.
“Chili and beer, chili and beer!” were the motivating words cheered by founder and race director Penny Noll as runners arrived to the finish line on Liberty Street.
Noll initially began her running career with the goal of staying in shape and being able to complete a 5K. Now as founder and director of a 5K race, the scope of her inspiration has widened to create a “healthy event to showcase running in Upstate New York,” she said.
Escalating from its original 300 runners at its first race, Noll credits the race’s success and popularity to the upstate running community. “The running community in Upstate New York is so welcoming and friendly,” she said. “Everyone is very helpful and encouraging, and I love that.”
This year, runners from over four different states participated, from Massachusetts to Florida.
In a race where several dedicated runners participate every year, the strong support network has certainly not gone unnoticed by Noll and the Cazenovia Children’s House, the not-for-profit organization that benefits from the race’s proceeds every year. “We couldn’t do this race without all our great volunteers and board members,” said Noll.
Amanda Wilson, interim director of the Cazenovia Fund and a Cazenovia Children’s House board member, also credited the volunteers for the hard work they put in year after year. “We’ve had so many parents and high schoolers volunteer, it’s been awesome,” she said.
This year, nearly 100 volunteers showed up to support the event.
For some runners, the race as become a yearly event. “I ran the first one, and have run almost every year since,” said Ken Cresswell of Cazenovia.
“It’s always fun,” said Karen Goetchius, of Syracuse. “And it’s for a good cause.”
Fellow Syracuse runner Bob Seigart, who prepared for the race by doubling up socks for gloves, said the slippery hills “really weren’t too bad,” despite the frigid single temperature weather.
Veteran runner and Guilford resident Jessica Jaquay was inspired to run the 5K with an American flag in support of Team RWB, a military support organization that serves to enrich the lives of active-duty soldiers and veterans through physical and social activities. Jaquay, who said practice certainly makes for perfection when running with a flag, added that although it does slow her down by about 30 seconds, “it’s truly an honor to carry the flag.” “I have to run with it,” she said. The veteran added that she also participates in the New York Run for the Fallen, a 142 mile-long, three-day race stretching from Syracuse to Albany.
Winner of the race was Mike Dee, 26, of East Syracuse, who finished at a time of 18.57. Second place was Richard Passro, 31, of Syracuse, with a time of 19.41. Third place was Sean Satchwell, 20, of Cazenovia, with a time of 19.53. Jenna Green, 30, of West Monroe, was the first female winner of the race, coming in at ninth place with a time of 21:42.
A chili cook-off event was held afterwards, with participants ranging from Good Nature Farm Brewery in Hamilton to McCarthy’s Pub in downtown Cazenovia.
The judge’s choice for best chili was awarded to Cazenovia College, while the people’s choice was awarded to Ray Brother’s Barbeque of Bouckville, which featured their specialty RBQ smokehouse prime rib chili.
Sierra Neil, Executive Director of the Cazenovia Children’s House, which provides childcare and preschool education for families in the area, is “very thankful” for the continuous support the organization has received on behalf of the race, and from enthusiastic runners and members alike.
