Third Annual Bernie's 5K A 'Perfect Day of Running'

An overcast sky and cool temperatures made for a perfect day for running in the third annua Bernie's Run, a 5K race/walk that kicked off from the .

The fund-raiser brought out 220 people who ran or walked the 3.2 mile course to raise money for the Dedham Educational Foundation in memory of Village Manor staffer Bernie Logue.

"The weather held out for us," said Dan Hart, a race organizer and DEF board member. "It was a great day to run."

The event raised more than $5,500, Hart said.

The DEF will use the cash to award grants to teachers within the Dedham Public School system for an array of projects, Hart said.

"We had a great number of people show up to cheer," Hart said. "It is a great day and it goes to a great cause."

Winners in eight categories were:

• Dave Conforto, 32 of Sharon - overall #1; winner of men's 18-39 with time of 18:25
• William Weschrob, 42 of West Roxbury - Men's masters winner with time of 19:10
• Lee Nelson, 13 of Dedham - Boy's middle school winner with time of 20:45
• Paulina Mehanna, 42 of Norwood - Women's masters winner with time of 21:33
• Bradford Barek, 17 of Dedham - Boy's high school winner with time of 21:53
• Melissa Delrossi, 33 of Dedham - Women's 18-39 with time of 23:13
• Cailyn Kelley, 17 of Dedham - girl's high school winner with time of 24:02
• Caroline Bell, 11 of Dedham - girl's middle school winner with time of 25:48

Runners not only received a tour of the Manor neighborhood and eats prepared by the Village Manor, but they also had a chance to meet Renee Rancourt of Boston Bruins fame. 

Rancourt signed autographs, posed for photographs and worked the crowd, Hart said.

Between Rancourt and the donation of a large American flag that hung in the parking lot, Hart said he was pleased with the additions the DEF made to the race this year - and is looking forward to the fourth annual race next October.

"We would like to build on that," Hart said. "It is a good community day."

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