SDA Let’s Move 5K – Race Recap and Results Analysis

The SDA Let’s Move 5K took place on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 218 Ratzer Road in Wayne, NJ, marking another successful edition of this community-focused health and wellness event. Organized by the Seventh-day Adventist Church community, this race emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and healthy living while bringing together runners from diverse backgrounds to celebrate an active lifestyle in the beautiful autumn setting of Wayne.

Race Analysis and Results

Overall Winners and Top Performances

Men’s Overall Champion: Fabian Daza of Cliffside Park, NJ dominated the field with an exceptional winning time of 17:39.66, maintaining a blistering 5:41 pace. At age 44, Daza achieved an outstanding 78.9% age-graded performance, demonstrating elite-level fitness.

Women’s Overall Champion: Esther Kapelevich of Fair Lawn, NJ claimed the women’s title with a strong time of 24:34.31, averaging a 7:55 pace. The 16-year-old achieved an impressive 58.8% age-graded performance.

Top Male Finishers

1. Fabian Daza (Cliffside Park, NJ) – 17:39.66, Age 44
2. Frank M. Novak (Wayne, NJ) – 18:11.31, Age 32
3. Robert A Lyon III (Towaco, NJ) – 19:24.87, Age 47
4. Kevin Hunt (Verona, NJ) – 21:18.94, Age 55
5. Ben Lammers (Wayne, NJ) – 22:23.41, Age 46

Top Female Finishers

1. Esther Kapelevich (Fair Lawn, NJ) – 24:34.31, Age 16
2. Sophia Villano – 25:14.96, Age 15
3. H. Lyon (Towaco, NJ) – 26:00.02, Age 12
4. Danielle Victoriano (Lincoln Park, NJ) – 26:05.47, Age 29
5. Justice Victoriano (Lincoln Park, NJ) – 26:24.93, Age 26

Age Group Winners

Male Age Group Winners:

• M15-19: Tyrique Muga (Pomton Lakes, NJ) – 23:58.30, Age 19
• M20-29: Brandon Cerone (Clifton, NJ) – 29:11.85, Age 23
• M30-39: Anonymous Participant – 24:58.48, Age 38
• M40-49: Ben Lammers (Wayne, NJ) – 22:23.41, Age 46
• M50-59: Kevin Hunt (Verona, NJ) – 21:18.94, Age 55
• M60-69: Jaime Villacis (Union City, NJ) – 31:37.34, Age 61

Female Age Group Winners:

• F14u: Melina Sambusini (Closter, NJ) – 29:12.31, Age 14
• F15-19: Katelyn Kahn (Wayne, NJ) – 32:45.23, Age 17
• F20-29: Danielle Victoriano (Lincoln Park, NJ) – 26:05.47, Age 29
• F30-39: Bea Victoriano (Lincoln Park, NJ) – 26:54.84, Age 30
• F40-49: Amalia Meliti (Franklin Lakes, NJ) – 34:09.79, Age 49
• F50-59: Bertha Ynga Farfan (Little Falls, NJ) – 35:41.15, Age 58
• F60-69: Susan Hunt (Verona, NJ) – 29:19.14, Age 61

Performance Statistics

• Winning Time: 17:39.66 (Fabian Daza)
• Sub-20 Minute Finishers: 3 runners
• Sub-25 Minute Finishers: 8 runners
• Age Range: 12 to 67 years old
• Gender Split: 29 male, 21 female finishers
• Average Finish Time: Approximately 32 minutes

Health and Wellness Focus

True to its mission, the SDA Let’s Move 5K emphasized health education alongside athletic competition. The event successfully promoted:

• Physical fitness and active living across all age groups
• Community wellness and healthy lifestyle choices
• Family participation and multi-generational fitness
• Inclusive racing welcoming all fitness levels

Notable Achievements

• Fabian Daza’s dominant sub-18 minute victory showcasing elite performance
• Strong youth participation with impressive performances from teenagers
• Excellent masters competition with Kevin Hunt leading the 50-59 age group
• Outstanding family participation across multiple generations
• Perfect weather conditions enhancing the race experience
• Successful promotion of health and wellness in the community

Course and Conditions

Runners enjoyed perfect October weather with crisp morning temperatures and clear skies, creating ideal conditions for fast times and personal achievements. The Wayne course provided a scenic route that challenged runners while remaining accessible to participants of all fitness levels. Chip timing by Tristate Timing ensured accurate results for all participants.

Community Impact and Mission

Beyond the athletic achievements, the SDA Let’s Move 5K successfully fulfilled its mission of promoting health and wellness in the community. The event served as a platform for education about healthy living, disease prevention, and the importance of regular physical activity, while fostering community connections and family participation.

Congratulations to all 50 participants in the 2025 SDA Let’s Move 5K! From Fabian Daza’s impressive victory to the inspiring family participation and community engagement, this event successfully combined competitive racing with health education, creating a meaningful experience that promotes lifelong wellness habits and strengthens community bonds.