The PCCC Foundation 2025 5k Run for Completion took place on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 500 Union Avenue in Wanaque, NJ. This annual event continues to be a cornerstone fundraising race for Passaic County Community College Foundation, bringing together runners of all abilities to support educational initiatives while enjoying a scenic autumn course through the college campus and surrounding areas.
Race Analysis and Results
Overall Winners and Top Performances
Men’s Overall Champion: Efrain Gonzalez of Oakland, NJ dominated the field with an impressive winning time of 18:10.96 (chip time), averaging a blazing 5:51 pace per mile. At age 41, Gonzalez achieved an outstanding 75.0% age-graded performance.
Women’s Overall Champion: Lia Rowe of Little Falls, NJ claimed the women’s title with a strong time of 23:20.26, maintaining a 7:31 pace. The 37-year-old achieved a solid 61.5% age-graded performance.
Top Male Finishers
- Efrain Gonzalez (Oakland, NJ) – 18:10.96, Age 41
- Michael Coliente (Passaic, NJ) – 18:31.07, Age 18
- Colin Hodgkiss (Wanaque, NJ) – 19:45.07, Age 14
- Gabriel Torres (Totowa, NJ) – 21:28.75, Age 18
- Ryan Escolano (West Milford, NJ) – 21:54.45, Age 14
Top Female Finishers
- Lia Rowe (Little Falls, NJ) – 23:20.26, Age 37
- Sophia Villano (Bloomingdale, NJ) – 25:40.59, Age 15
- Maja Osenkowski (Bloomingdale, NJ) – 29:56.57, Age 13
- Claudia Munoz (Passaic, NJ) – 30:28.17, Age 39
- Yesenia Michaca (Oakland, NJ) – 31:28.74, Age 37
Age Group Analysis
Youth Excellence: The race showcased impressive youth participation with standout performances from teenagers. Colin Hodgkiss (14) and Ryan Escolano (14) both broke 22 minutes, while Michael Coliente (18) posted the second-fastest overall time.
Masters Performance: Emil Estok, 67, of Garfield demonstrated that age is just a number with his 26:21.34 finish, achieving an impressive 64.1% age-graded performance.
Local Representation: The race featured strong participation from the tri-state area, with runners from New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida representing the broad appeal of this educational fundraiser.
Performance Statistics
- Winning Time: 18:10.96 (Efrain Gonzalez)
- Average Finish Time: Approximately 31 minutes
- Sub-20 Minute Finishers: 3 runners
- Sub-25 Minute Finishers: 9 runners
- Age Range: 7 to 67 years old
- Gender Split: 33 male, 17 female finishers
Notable Achievements
- Strong family participation with the Khanduja family (H., Harvir, and Nisha) all finishing
- Multiple personal best performances recorded across age groups
- Excellent representation from Passaic County Community College students and staff
- Successful fundraising efforts for PCCC Foundation educational programs
- Perfect weather conditions contributing to fast times
Course and Conditions
The PCCC campus course provided ideal racing conditions with cool October temperatures and clear skies. The well-marked, relatively flat route allowed runners to achieve strong performances, with the chip timing system provided by Tristate Timing ensuring accurate results for all participants.
Community Impact
Beyond the athletic achievements, the race successfully raised funds for the PCCC Foundation’s Completion Scholarships, directly supporting student success and academic programs. The event continues to strengthen the bond between the college and the surrounding community while promoting health and fitness.
Congratulations to all the participants in the 2025 PCCC Foundation 5k Run for Completion! From Efrain Gonzalez’s dominant victory to the inspiring participation of runners across all age groups, this event showcased the perfect combination of competitive racing, community spirit, and educational support that makes this annual race so special.
