The day was bright and sunny after several days of rain. Some 150 people were registered to participate in the 5K run-walk sponsored by the Northwestern Lehigh Education Foundation with the profits to benefit the school district.

The education foundation has surpassed the $1 million goal for their 10th year.

The foundation recently donated $156,000 to the district.

Jayson Boushell, foundation board member, was in charge of the 5K.

Sponsors were Joe Madar of Comfortek, and Deer Park Water.

Madar provided the shirts - orange for participants and green for volunteers.

He said it is his fourth year of sponsorship. He has an apparel business in Allentown for American-made clothing beginning with creating his own fabric.

Much of his business is for the government, mainly the post office and border service. He has been in business for 11 years and has been a resident of New Tripoli for 20 years.

Madar said they help with many charities.

Eric Andreus, resource manager for Deer Park, has participated in the race and was getting a reputation for coming in first.

However, even with wearing the No. 1, his record was broken as he came in second.

Andreus has been running for five years and began when he decided his first love, bike racing, was too dangerous following a couple of crashes.

“Deer Park is proud to sponsor this wonderful event put on by the Education Foundation,” he said.

Valerie Creitz, foundation secretary, said all proceeds go to the district which can decide how to spend the money.

Some $200 went to a fitness program this year and there were the usual mini grants to help teachers obtain supplies outside of the district budget.

“This event is awesome for families,” she said.

Stacey Lipton traveled an hour to get to the run. Creitz said she is an avid runner.

There were seven student volunteers who helped hand out shirts and whatever else needed doing.

D.J. Walbert, foundation president, said he appreciates all who came out to help the school district.

“We have a beautiful day,” Walbert said.

Runners ranged in age from a 6-year-old boy to a 60-year-old woman.

The youngest person in the run was 3-month-old Benjamin Kipp waiting with his mother Deanna at the 5K.

Jason Kipp was going to push him in the run. Many dogs accompanied their families.

Allison Berlet was 16th overall and the first girl to complete the course with a time of 25.01. Robert Leiser came in first with a time of 18.48.