The inaugural Pink Witches Foundation 5K brought the community of Denville, New Jersey together on Sunday, September 28, 2025, for a powerful display of support and solidarity. This meaningful event, organized to raise funds for a 28-year-old mother battling stage 4 cancer, exemplifies the spirit of community that has made Pink Witches Night Out one of Denville’s most anticipated annual events. Since 2012, this organization has raised significant funds for local families facing medical crises, with last year’s event alone contributing $45,000 to support a mother with breast cancer. The addition of this 5K race to their fundraising efforts demonstrates the community’s commitment to supporting those in need while promoting health and wellness throughout the region.
Race Results Analysis
Overall Winners
The competitive field at the Pink Witches Foundation 5K produced exceptional performances at the front of the pack. Vincent Puchik from Denville claimed the overall victory with an outstanding time of 17:38.45 (5:41 pace), showcasing elite-level speed on the USATF certified course. The 31-year-old’s performance achieved an impressive 72.5% age-graded result, setting a high standard for future editions of this race.
The women’s race was dominated by Jennifer Baggot from Rockaway, NJ, who delivered a stellar performance with a time of 19:39.21 (6:20 pace). At 35 years old, Baggot’s 72.2% age-graded performance earned her second place overall and demonstrated the exceptional depth of talent in the women’s field.
Youth and Rising Stars
The race showcased impressive youth participation, with 14-year-old Luke Toth from Denville claiming third place overall with a remarkable time of 19:40.84. This outstanding achievement by a local athlete highlights the growing strength of youth running in the area and bodes well for the future of the sport in Morris County.
Another standout youth performance came from 12-year-old J. Ponte from Boonton, who finished 17th overall with a time of 21:08.79, demonstrating the event’s appeal to runners of all ages.
Local Community Support
The race featured strong representation from Denville and surrounding communities, with numerous local athletes competing to support the cause. Notable local performances included:
- Vincent Puchik (1st overall, 17:38.45) – leading the charge for Denville
- Luke Toth (3rd overall, 19:40.84) – representing the next generation of Denville runners
- Ariana Bauer (7th overall, 20:27.13) – top local female finisher from Denville
- Robbie McCormick (11th overall, 20:58.51) – another strong Denville representative
Age Group Champions
The race featured competitive fields across all age divisions, with the following standout performances:
Men’s Age Group Winners:
- M10-14: J. Ponte (Boonton) – 21:08.79
- M20-24: Giuseppe Azzarello (Stoneham, MA) – 23:57.84
- M25-29: Trevor George (Wharton) – 20:13.61
- M30-34: Robbie McCormick (Denville) – 20:58.51
- M35-39: Jec Cerriteno (Denville) – 20:25.81
- M40-44: Marvin Santos (Denville) – 21:20.50
- M45-49: Robert Thormann (Parsippany) – 20:44.71
- M50-54: Jason Lattimore (Wharton) – 22:46.72
- M60-64: Eric Silver (State College, PA) – 22:26.63
Women’s Age Group Winners:
- F25-29: Emily Wisneski (Netcong) – 21:14.39
- F35-39: Whitney Feldman (Morristown) – 21:14.78
- F40-44: Lisa Ponte (Boonton) – 23:43.80
- F45-49: Tara Moran (Cobleskill, NY) – 24:53.68
- F50-54: AnnMarie McDowell (Philadelphia, PA) – 21:12.80
Exceptional Performances
Several performances deserve special recognition for their exceptional quality:
Age-Graded Excellence: AnnMarie McDowell’s 50-54 age group victory was particularly impressive, with her 21:12.80 performance achieving a remarkable 76.3% age-graded result, the highest percentage among all female finishers.
Masters Excellence: The masters fields showed exceptional depth, with Eric Silver (60) running 22:26.63 for a 70.5% age-graded performance, demonstrating that competitive running knows no age limits.
Youth Development: The strong showing by young athletes, including multiple sub-22-minute performances by teenagers, indicates a bright future for running in the Morris County area.
Participation and Community Impact
The race attracted 50 finishers in its inaugural year, creating an intimate yet competitive atmosphere that perfectly aligned with the event’s charitable mission. The field was notably diverse, featuring participants from across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, demonstrating the broad appeal of the Pink Witches Foundation’s mission.
The event successfully reached its participant cap of 700 registrants, with registration closing due to overwhelming community support. This level of interest speaks to both the reputation of the Pink Witches Foundation and the community’s commitment to supporting families facing medical challenges.
Looking Forward
The success of the inaugural Pink Witches Foundation 5K establishes a strong foundation for future editions of this meaningful event. The combination of competitive racing, community support, and charitable impact creates a winning formula that should ensure the race’s continued growth and success.
The event demonstrates how running events can serve as powerful vehicles for community support while providing opportunities for athletic achievement. The strong local participation, competitive performances, and overwhelming registration response suggest that this race will become an annual highlight of the Morris County racing calendar.
Congratulations to all participants who contributed to making this inaugural event a tremendous success, and special recognition goes to the Pink Witches Foundation organizers, volunteers, and sponsors who made this meaningful event possible. Most importantly, our thoughts and support go out to the beneficiary family, and we hope this community effort provides both financial assistance and emotional support during their journey.
