Runners and walkers enjoy Rev It Up 5K and 10K

By Laurie Gordon
Despite the rain, the Rev It Up 5K and 10K was a huge success on Saturday. Starting and finishing by the Sparta PAL and train station, the event attracted 160 walkers and runners.
“Everyone was in great spirit,” said Tara Hagen. Her husband, Carl, owns Rev It Up Automotive, the race's primary sponsor.
“We take great pride in sponsoring the Sparta PAL as it goes to an amazing cause,” she said referring to the Sparta PAL. “Proceeds go to the kids: boys and girls of our community who want to be a part of something. They learn teamwork in a positive environment along with discipline and dedication. They are our future....we commend them and enjoy supporting them.”
The Sparta Police Department was there to support the race and make sure that everything went smoothly, and many volunteers made the event possible.
The 5K race was won by Neill Clark, of Sparta, in 21:13. Narendra Nagarajan, of Rockaway, was second in 22:14, and Behnam Noochirwani, of Denville, was third in 22:41. In the women's 5K Liv Bouma-Hannam, of Sparta, took the title in 24:56. Dorothy Lagg, of Lafayette, was second in 25:20, and Kim Gorab, of Sparta, took third place in 25:28.
In the 10K race, Fernando An Araujo Simoe, of Madison, was the champion clocking 39:44. Second place, overall, in the 10K was a woman. Lauren Jackson, of Augusta, ran 42:27 to ice the women's championship and second overall in the event. The second place male was Anand Dash, of Sparta, who ran 43:43, and third place went to Timon Jackson, of Plainfield, who ran 48:08. Gabriella Cerrone was the second place female finisher in 46:20 with Suzanne Mayer, of Lafayette, third in 54:40.
Rev It Up is located just around the corner from the race's start/finish, and specializes in diagnostics and maintenance of all types of vehicles: from as simple as oil changes to major repairs.
“We try to be honest and make accurate diagnostics,” Hagan said. “We look out for the safety and well being of our customers.”
Hagan has served several generations of families in the community. He has been in business for 30 years here in Sparta, and takes great pride in the honesty and integrity of his work and has a good relationship and great respect for the other auto motive shops in town.
“People told me that this was the best one yet,” race director, Andy Ball said. “We are grateful to Rev It Up along with WSUS 102.3, WNNJ 103.7, Sparta Stop and Shop, Thorlabs, Eastern Propane, NJ Foster, Sussex Bank, Culligan water conditioning, Sparta Station Athletics, Massage Envy of Rockaway and CMG Marketing Agency, Modell's, NJ Foster a Child, Villa Capri II, Bagel Bistro, Lakeland Bank, Cailey Jewelers for their generous and continued support of our worthy event allowing us to grow each year.”