Press Release: Annual Race Raises Funds For Scholarships

The 32nd running of The Cranford Jaycees Firecracker 4-Miler presented this year by Investors Savings Bank was a success, according to the Jaycees. The race took place July 4 at Nomahegan Park in Cranford.

Battling high humidity and temperatures, there were a record 1,246 finishers for the Firecracker 4-Miler and several hundred more for the 1-Mile Family Fun Run, which was sponsored by Disney Dave Weichert from Magical Travel. As in years past, there were a host of family-friendly events during the race including free ice cream, snow cones, face painting, popcorn, a clown and ice cold water for all provided by Investors Savings Bank.

The overall winner was Ben Massam from Chatham, NJ with a time of 19:56.30. The fastest Cranford finisher was Brian Mahoney with a time of 22:24.23. All times can be reviewed at compuscore.com. 

This is the second year that Investors Savings Bank has been involved in the race and they came aboard as the title sponsor. A new Investors’ branch is scheduled to open in Cranford early next year.
The Jaycees were excited to welcome back Disney Dave Weichert from Magical Travel. This year they signed on as the sponsor of the 1-Mile Family Fun Run.

The Cranford Jaycees thanked all of the Sponsors that made this year’s event a success:  Investors Savings Bank, Magical Travel with Disney Dave Weichert, Eii Electrical Contractors, Fazio, Mannuzza, Roche, Tankel, LaPilusa LLC, Verizon, Statewide Fence Co., ADP, Advanced Physical Therapy, Arthur Bilenker DMD, Frank W. Krause, DDS MS, Garrettson Financial, Kilkenney House, ShopRite (LiveRight), TD Bank, The Cranford Hotel, Weaver Associates Printing, Westfield Running Co., MONOC, Good Humor, Dr. Frank Halter  DC, Perrotti’s, Richard Cicalese Trucking Inc., Susan Gallagher – RE/MAX Properties Unlimited, Pro-Care Physical Therapy, Cross-Fit KOA, IFA Insurance Company, Alluem Yoga, Primavera Homes, Cranford Dance Academy, Spencer Savings Bank, La Yogurt and Dr. Michael Beams – Sports Extra.

The proceeds of the race benefit The Cranford Jaycees Scholarship fund that awards tens of thousands of dollars each year to Cranford residents that are graduating high school and pursuing further education. This year the Jaycees were able to award $20,000 in scholarships to 17 Cranford residents that will be pursuing further education this fall. The scholarships were awarded on June 8 at the Cranford High School Awards Night and the recipients were recognized at a scholarship reception on June 17.

Since 2000, The Cranford Jaycees have awarded over $145,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors.