On Oct. 5th, the Pascack Valley Girls Soccer Team and Next Level Physio of Woodcliff Lake teamed up to hold the first annual Kick or Treat 5K. The PV Girls Soccer 5K invited participants to race in costume and “get ready for the Halloween season.”
The 5K starting and finish lines were at Stonybrook Swim Club. There awaited awards for the winners and people cheering on the runners during their final stretch.
A total of 212 participants signed up to run and/or donate, many of them part of Pascack Valley High School. Several teachers from the community came out to support the team, such as Anthony Judilla, Jeff Jasper, John Murtaugh, Korrey Sanjek, Jamie Bianco, and more.
Students from PV also participated in the race, such as Sean Flynn, who placed third overall. Other age group winners included Anna DeBlock and Sydney Lamere, who placed in the top three for the female 16-19 age group.
PV Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Leah Jerome was overwhelmed with the number of participants. She expressed how uplifting it was that the community came together to run.
“Seeing kids from middle school, kids from the elementary school, teachers, basketball players from our school, football players, and wrestlers,” said Jerome. “Even though it was a girls’ soccer experience, [it] brought in everyone from the sports community…it was really cool.”
Participants were also encouraged to wear costumes while racing to get ready for the spooky season.
Jerome, dressed as a large inflatable soccer ball, recalled several of her favorite costumes. She explained that not only were there costumes relevant to people from her generation, but there were ones that today’s generation can appreciate too.
“I loved the [Forrest] Gump [costume]. I thought that was great…but I feel like my generation would appreciate that [more],” she said. “[Four girls] did ‘thing one, thing two,’ but instead, they did ‘thing six, thing seven’; and ‘thing four, thing one’ because your generation thinks that’s hysterical.”
The Pascack Valley Environmental Club and the Girls Soccer Team also partnered up to collect used costumes, which are being donated to those in need.
Jerome expressed her appreciation to everyone who helped put this event together.
“I just want to thank the community,” said Jerome. “It’s one thing to do a fundraiser that just supports the Girls Soccer Team, but [this fundraiser] was about [building] community together.”
