Crowd Gathers for Q5K Run from York’s Campus and around Jamaica

Not even a persistent drizzle on the morning of Saturday September 28 could dampen the spirit of eager runners gathered at York College for the Third Annual Q5K Run/Walk event.

^{Dr. Claudia Schafer, president of York College, poses with student participants of at the Q5K Run/Walk}

Interim President Claudia Schrader took to the makeshift podium to welcome the eager runners as she and lauded them for coming out despite the inclement weather. “As we say in the Caribbean, ‘a little rain [doesn’t] stop no carnival,’” the president who has roots in the US Virgin Islands, said. “It is fitting that the temporary name for York College was Alpha. It starts here.”

The multi-ethnic throng, seemingly representing the diversity spectrum of Queens was eager to get going and at about 8 am. Nearly 400-strong the participants followed the path from the corner of Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and Liberty Avenue, down to 168^th Street, making a left to Jamaica Avenue down to 171^st Street and so on.  They returned exhilarated if soaked.

Amongst the VIPs in the race was New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, who was participating for the first time and enthused that this was her first time doing the Q5K Run/Walk, “and it “won’t be my last,” she said.

 Councilmember Nantasha Williams, who represents the 14^th Council District, covering part of the York College campus, praised the founding of and sees it as more than a run/walk opportunity.

“As a former runner, it is so exciting to have this in our community,” said Williams. “Oftentimes it is outside (of the borough or out of Southeast Queens) so it was exciting when Greater Jamaica started it. I have been supporting it since day one.”

Pat Robinson, a York College Foundation Board member and GJDC executive., is gratified that it is now a certified event “and that’s great for Southeast Queens.”

Justin Rogers, president and CEO of GJDC handed out more than a dozen awards and remarked that he was pleased with the growth of the little race that could. “We had a great turnout this year compared to last year, he said. “We’re very happy, but we couldn’t do it without our partners, such as the NYPD, who closed off the streets, Councilwoman Williams, who sponsors it and everyone who make this happen.”

On hand to run and to celebrate, were members of the Queens Chapter of The LINKS, Inc., who shared that sister chapters across the country and abroad were also participating in similar races in their own communities.

Not to be left out, York Cardinal Crew had 16 members cross the finish line with an additional approximately 10 members cheering for them along the way; six members of York Future Nurses who crossed the finish line. And in the male 70–99 age category, Reinold McNickle, a dedicated faculty member from the Health and Human Performance department, secured an admirable third place with a time of 27:50.22. Meanwhile, in the female 60–69 category, Galila Werber-Zion, also from Health and Human Performance, took home the first-place trophy, finishing strong at 33:14.56.

Among the younger participants, Joery Francois, an administrator in Student Activities, proudly clinched third place in the male 30–39 category with a time of 27:27.68. The excitement didn’t stop there—Gina Scales, a York College alumna from the Class of 2020 and a member of the Goldfinger Track Club, joyfully won a pair of complimentary JetBlue round-trip airline tickets.

This year's Q5K was not just about competition; it was a fun-filled day dedicated to promoting health and wellness within our community, building connections, and celebrating the achievements of students, faculty, and alumni.The Q5K Walk/Run was not only a showcase of athleticism across the Queens community, but also a testament to the vibrant spirit of the college community.

And the sun may not have come out for the run/walk this year, but for participants, the adrenaline rush was warmth enough to compensate and bring them back next year.

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