The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ -- Sussex County Community College celebrated their fifth annual Skylander Challenge at the campus on October 7.

The Skylander Challenge consisted of a five kilometer and 10 kilometer race for runners, teams, and walkers. All proceeds from the event benefited the Sussex County Community College Foundation and student scholarships.

Anyone from seven to 70 was eligible to participate in the event.

Barbara Wortmann is the Executive Director of the Sussex County Community College Foundation, and the Performing Arts Center, and raises money through events for scholarships.

At 9 a.m., Wortmann introduced the crowd of people preparing and warming up at the starting line.

Former Mayor Philip Yetter of Hampton Township spoke to the crowd as well.

“It is a great pleasure to have this college here this school gives back a great education,” said Yetter.

Glenn Bachmann of the Sparta Runners Club then went on to state the safety rules of the course.

“This is great running weather. The roads are partially closed and there are many volunteers around the course,” said Bachmann.

Former SCCC student, Natasha Yasin sang the National Anthem as everyone honored the Flag.

Runners then prepped up, Bachmann blew the horn and they were off.

The 5K was one single loop around the campus, while the 10K was two loops. Both routes started at the top of the campus, and ended below near the Lakeland Pavilion.

Cones were set up on the outside road, and a pace biker from the Sparta Runners Club also followed the participants around the entire course to ensure their safety.

Wortmann also stated that it was the first year the college has become “technological”, by using electronic microchips to keep an accurate score of the runners' times.

Water and Gatorade refreshments were set up throughout the course for hydration purposes.

As the runners completed the end of their course, a number appeared in orange lights to determine how many miles per hour the contestant had achieved.

Student Ambassadors from the college were also present to clip the chips off of the contestants shoes, due to the fact that they are highly expensive.

After completion, participants gathered under the Lakeland Pavilion where refreshments, bagels, bananas and oranges were set up at two tables.

Most took a break in between to eat, and change into warm clothes.

Scores started to appear on a cork board around 9:45 a.m. at the pavilion, where a DJ played music, and vendors from Sam’s Club and The Fit Experience were also present.

Medals and plaques were also set up at a table.

As the results for contestants times started coming in, Wortmann attended the stage to hand out awards, after April Fortune of the Sparta Runners Club read off the results.

“Thank you all for participating,” said Wortmann. “This is the best part of the race. We could not have this be a successful day without all of our sponsors and runners. We are extremely happy.”

Results were presented to the top three overall male and female 5K and 10K runners, male and female SCCC students, and the top three corporate and school teams. An additional award was presented to an 80+ male participant.

Plaques were presented to the following companies as follows:
- Thor Labs for having over 50 people in their team.
- Bode’s Fitness in first place for a 5k team
- Eastern Propane in first place for a 10k team

“Thank you everyone who has attended,” said Fortune.