2009 Event a Huge Success!!!

Nearly 230 individuals, families and runners rally to support local tot, Ava Snyder, who is in her second year of fighting Leukemia, at the 3rd Annual Team Teagan 5K Benefit Run/Walk at the Saratoga State Park.

June 20th, with the gray, low hanging clouds threatening to drench Team Teagan’s 3rd Annual 5K Run/Walk, more than 20 volunteers, many of whom had done this event for the past 2 years, cautiously set up tables, placed directional signs and shuffled the paperwork of the 93 pre-registrants… and then waited! The weather forecast was not looking great, which had event organizer Jackie Scotti fearing that potential participants would be discouraged from attending.

The wait was not long as by 8:30 many local families and serious looking runners started to stream across the Avenue of the Pines to walk the short distance to the warming hut area. The first 200 arrivals collected their race numbers and bright orange Team Teagan T-shirts. They then took time to greet fellow alumni from past events, and meet Honored Hero Ava Snyder, her parents Julie and Stephen and big sister Sydney, who looked amazed at what the Team Teagan organizers were able to assemble in their honor.

4-year old Teagan Klingenberg, for whom this event is named, now in her 2nd year of remission, greeted arrivals with her famously infectious smile and raspy giggle while older brothers Tyler and Tanner chased her through the growing crowd of runners and walkers.

The 5K Run/Walk was started by a musical performance of the national anthem by “Omazing Grace”, featuring sisters, Olivia, Mazy and Grace Rugen, from Chatham, NY. At 9:04 am, event organizer Jackie Scotti sent runners and walkers on their way with a blast of the air horn. Led by runners from the Saratoga Springs High School Blue Streaks, over 200 runners, and walkers, many pushing strollers, set off on the certified 5K course.

Event organizers quickly set up the finish line, Stewart’s Ice Cream Station and Prize Tables awaiting the return of the first runners.

Results Men Division

1st Place | 16:50 | Shaun Donegan* from Wilton (*Overall Winner)
2nd Place | 16:53 | Kyle Wegner from Wilton
3rd Place | 18:02 | Paul Koski from Clifton Park.

Ladies Division

1st Place | 19:02 | Katie Weichie (Saratoga Blue Streaks)

2nd Place | 19:36 | Danielle Marino (Saratoga Blue Streaks)

3rd Place | 19:38 | Meredith Hungerford (Saratoga Blue Streaks)

Under 14 Division

1st Place | Aidan Tooker (10), from Greenfield
2nd Place | Justin Klotz (10), from Ballston Spa
3rd Place | Connor Fenoff (10), From Ballston Spa

2009 Sponsors

Bank of America, Seton Health, Stewart’s, Hound Dog Graphics, Longfellows, Olde Bryan Inn, Augies Italian Restaurant, YMCA of Saratoga, The Crystal Spa, Coffee News and many other local merchants who donated prizes. The 2009 Team Teagan 5K Benefit Run/Walk was certainly another success. Organizers and the Snyder Family wish to express many thanks to all the runners, walkers, sponsors and especially volunteers, whose participation made all this possible.

Plan to join this great event next year to help another local family.