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Ridgewood Racers Take Streets In Post Turkey-Day Run

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Dozens of runners hit Ridgewood's streets on Sunday for the village's first post-Thanksgiving Day race to fight mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer.

Noriko Ushijima of Japan and Yuko Inoue of Ridgewood participated in the Sunday race.

Noriko Ushijima of Japan and Yuko Inoue of Ridgewood participated in the Sunday race.

Photo Credit: Melissa Heule
Lou Gallo of Fair Lawn ran in Ridgewood's Sunday race with 11-month-old dogs Captain and Red.

Lou Gallo of Fair Lawn ran in Ridgewood's Sunday race with 11-month-old dogs Captain and Red.

Photo Credit: Melissa Heule
Emergency medial service workers were on hand at the finish line in Ridgewood.

Emergency medial service workers were on hand at the finish line in Ridgewood.

Photo Credit: Melissa Heule
Youngsters chased a turkey mascot in a fun run in Ridgewood.

Youngsters chased a turkey mascot in a fun run in Ridgewood.

Photo Credit: Melissa Heule
Ridgewood race participants await distribution of their awards.

Ridgewood race participants await distribution of their awards.

Photo Credit: Melissa Heule
Ridgewood runners rest after participating in a Sunday race.

Ridgewood runners rest after participating in a Sunday race.

Photo Credit: Melissa Heule

Anthony Fatuzzo, 32, of Fair Lawn, claimed first place overall with a time of 20:45. Melanie Kahn, 33, of Rockville, MD led the women with a time of 23:02. She came in behind three male Ridgewood competitors.

The four-mile, competitive and timed event was held on local roads around the Benjamin Franklin Middle School.

The event was rescheduled from its original competition day on Thanksgiving due to too few police officers available to staff the event (SEE: Ridgewood Trotting Out First Thanksgiving Day Race).

"It was still a great day," said Aidan Walsh, the owner of Racefaster LLC of Ridgewood.

Runners of all ages -- from youngsters to those 80 and older, along with those with disabilities -- participated. Some ran with friends, others with their own children or pets alongside them.

Youngsters also had a fun run around the school’s track chasing after a turkey mascot.

Children and adults earned race medals for participation, enjoyed indoor refreshments, and placed bids at a silent auction.

“I’m visiting from Japan. This is my first race here. My time was about 35 minutes,” said Noriko Ushijima, a visitor from Japan who ran Yuko Inoue of Ridgewood.

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