Over 5,500 runners from across the globe sprinted through the streets of downtown Jersey City during the NYRR inaugural Newport Fiesta 5K on Saturday.
The race, which started just after 5pm, took runners through Washington Boulevard, up the Pedestrian Plaza, past City Hall, and looped them back to Newport Green.
On the men’s side, Daniel Winn of Brooklyn, N.Y., took the top spot finishing in 14:28. Meanwhile, Gadise Fita Megersa of Albuquerque, N.M., was the top female runner with a 17:03 finishing time. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop joined the 5,581 runners and finished in 21:14.
Earlier in the day, more than 1,000 kids took part in the Rising New York Road Runners youth races held at Newport Green.
I also ran the race and found it to be my second-favorite race of all time. (Following the NYC Marathon, of course). The turnout was really high, but it was the energy of the crowds along the Pedestrian Plaza and near City Hall that really kicked this race up a notch. It felt like more people than ever came out to cheer the runners.
After the race, the NYRR hosted a massive Cinco de Mayo party at Newport Green.
