West Milford A stellar autumn day greeted 126 runners participating in West Milford’s “Heart of the Highlands” 5K Run on Saturday, October 13. The opening event for West Milford’s Autumn Lights Festival, the run benefited the Pequannock River Coalition, an environmental organization working in West Milford and 10 other communities across the northern Highlands region. State Senator Robert Martin was on hand to start the race, assisted by West Milford Councilman Bob Nolan and the West Milford Chamber Singers. Senator Martin was an appropriate official for this “Heart of the Highlands” event as Martin was one of the co-sponsors of the Highlands Act. “Today we’re here to enjoy the Highlands,” said Senator Martin. “Clean air, autumn colors. This is what we’ve been working to protect.” Nolan and Martin ran the 5K course, turning in a respectable times that claimed Martin third place and Nolan second place in their respective age groups. The best time overall was posted by Marty Doherty of West Milford with a run of 18:12. Second place overall was taken by Michael Yorey of Wayne (18:20) and third place by Mike Montalband of Rutherford (19:11). In the women’s division high honors went to Crystal Carlson of West Milford for a time of 22:06, second place to Maritza Ostlund of Oak Ridge (22:18) and third place to Catherine Clinton of West Milford for a time of 22:27. Medals were awarded in 14 categories from age 10-14 through 70-89. All runners agreed the event was well organized and that the USATF-certified course was challenging and fun. More than 25 volunteers, led by race directors Bev Puntolillo and Pequannock River Coalition Vice President Carl Richko, spent months preparing for the race and kept things running smooth. “Few realize the incredible amount of effort and expense that goes into these events,” said Richko, “but we felt it was important to give this back to our citizens.” Major sponsors were businesses such as Eastern Propane, Re/Max Classic Group, Lakeland Bank, Columbia Bank, Ramsey Outdoor, Applebee’s, East Coast Associates, Sneaker’s Unlimited and Ramapo Insurance and generous individuals donors including Doug Williams, the Fischer Family, and Dr. Frank Russo, DDS. Volunteers and runners are already looking forward to next year. Bev Puntolillo summed it up, saying “When everything comes together great people, great weather, a wonderful course it makes all the effort worthwhile. It’s hard to improve on, but we’re eager to try. Heart of the Highlands 5K Run/Walk Finishers First Place Overall Marty Doherty, West Milford 18:12 Second Place Overall Michael Yorey, Wayne 18:20 Third Place Overall Mike Montalband, Rutherford 19:11 First Place Woman Overall Crystal Carlson, West Milford 22:06 Second Place Woman Overall Maritza Ostlund, Oak Ridge 22:18 Third Place Woman Overall Catherine Clinton, West Milford 22:27