Freihofer's® Run for Women Crosses the Finish Line on 45th Running of Annual Event

ALBANY, NY (06/05/2023) (readMedia)-- For Immediate Release

Contact: Leanne Ricchiuti, Overit for Freihofer's® Run for Women, 518-222-8073

June 3, 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Freihofer's® Run for Women Crosses the Finish Line on 45th Running of Annual Event

Nearly 3,000 Runners Braved the Raindrops in Downtown Albany

200 Women from Black Girls Run! Come from Across Country

Twenty-Eight Year Old from Blowing Rock Wins 45th Event

(Albany, N.Y.) – The Freihofer's® Run for Women celebrated the 45th occurrence of their annual event in Downtown Albany, N.Y., on Saturday, June 3, 2023, with over 3,000 participants who walked or ran across the finish line, dodging raindrops as they hit the mark.

Over 2,800 registered and nearly 2,400 women came from across the country; most of the participants came from New York's Capital Region with the next largest groups coming from Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont, respectively. Runners also traveled from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Wyoming, and even Singapore.

Tristin Van Ord, 28, from Blowing Rock, NC, won this year's 45th Annual Freihofer's® Run for Women 5K with a time of 15:54 minutes. Jessie Cardin, 27, from Rochester Hills, MI, came in second, and Anne-Marie Blaney, 29, from Rochester, MI, came in third.

The horn was blown by News10ABC's Lydia Kulbida coming back to the race after an injury. Marielle Hall, from Providence, RI, a 2016 Olympian in the 10K, was first to take the lead of the pack as they raced west up Washington Avenue alongside the state's Capitol.

After the first mile, Van Ord overtook Hall, with a strong tight pack continuing up the road into Washington Park. Van Ord maintained a meter or two of distance ahead of Hall, as Jessie Cardin started to close in on the two leaders.

Within seconds, Blaney started to catch up to the leaders, and coming out of Washington Park, Van Ord and Blaney were leading the pack.

Van Ord crossed the finish line at a time of 15:54, winning the 45th running of the Freihofer's Run for Women. Cardin finished at 16:00, and Blaney finished at 16:02 minutes. Van Ord runs for Zap Endurance. The Hansons-Brooks Distance Project brought 3 first time athletes to the event, Cardin, Blaney and Olivia Pratt (finishing fifth).

Three returning athletes cracked the top ten prize-winning spots. Cleo Boyd, 3rd in 2022, was 7th this year followed by Allie Kieffer in 8th. Allie was second across the line in 2022. Maegan Krifchin raced with the Freihofer's Run for Women in 2017. Fresh off a record setting marathon last weekend at the Vermont City she locked in 10th today. Sheridan Wheeler was over the line 10th, but as a Saratoga High School runner she cannot accept a monetary prize.

The top three Masters winners (those women who are 40 years old or above), are Diane Ryan, from Ballston Spa, NY (18:03), with a back-to-back win in this category from last year, beating her time, and placing 22nd overall this year, Jessica Charles, 41, from Oriskany, NY (18:59), and Meg Versteegen, 44, from Schenectady, NY, (19:14).

"The women who run this race never stop amazing me," said Kristen Hislop, Freihofer's® Run for Women Event Director. "While our spectators and supporters got a little wet, it didn't stop, or even slow down, the amazing athletes of all ages and abilities who finished the race. Each year, it's a new reason, a new goal, or a new way to honor someone that inspires women from all over to compete in the event–but for so many it's not about winning––it's about simply doing better than last time. And I have yet to find a woman who hasn't felt amazing after participating in this event."

The Freihofer's® Run for Women is nationally known, and attracted the attention of the national running group, Black Girls Run!, who designated this year's race as a National Meet Up. They had about 200 members attending this year's race from across the country. "Today made me feel blessed and honored beyond belief to be granted this opportunity to lead an amazing run group and sisterhood," said Olivia Frempong, Ambassador for Black Girls Run, and local Albany Chapter President.

Nancy Gerstenberger from Albany, NY finished the 5K in 1:22:23, and is 93 years old. After crossing with her family she headed over to the VIP tent for a bit of a rest.

Denise Herman from Saratoga Springs, NY, and Bernadette La Manna from Albany, NY, crossed the Freihofer's Run for Women finish line for the 45th time this year, as they have participated in the event each year the race has been held. The women are 67 and 72 respectively, this year. They finished the race at 30:30 and 39:04 minutes. Cindy Kelly and Linda Campbell, who have also participated in the event all 45 years, completed the 5K virtually this year. All 4 ladies received custom Anne Cate bags with the Albany skyline and 'since '79'.

Rounding out the top ten overall finishers are as follows:

1 Tristan Van Ord (Bowling Rock, NC) 15:54

2 Jessie Cardin (Rochester Hills, MI) 16:00

3 Anne-Marie Blaney (Rochester, MI) 16:02

4 Marielle Hall (Providence, RI) 16:08

5 Olivia Pratt (Auburn Hills, MI) 16:09

6 Lydiah Njeri Mathathi (Columbia, SC) 16:16

7 Cleo Boyd (Charlottesville, VA) 16:17

8 Allie Kieffer (Austin, TX) 16:32

9 Melissa Lodge (Providence, RI) 16:43

10 Sheridan Wheeler (Greenfield Center, NY) 16:48

The Masters (over 40) Overall Winners:

1 Diane Ryan (Ballston Spa, NY) 18:03

2 Jessica Charles (Oriskany, NY) 18:59

3 Meg Versteegen (Schenectady, NY) 19:14

4 Marta Dauphinee (Glenville, NY) 19:41

5 Margaret McMahon (New York, NY) 19:46

The top 5 Age Graded, allowing for age differences:

1 Tristan Van Ord (Blowing Rock, NC) 15:54

2 Jessie Cardin (Rochester Hills, MI) 16:00

3 Anne-Marie Blaney (Rochester, MI) 16:02

4 Lydiah Njeri Mathat (Columbia, SC) 16:16

5 Marielle Hall (Providence, RI) 16:08

Full 5K results may be found here.

All run participants received a commemorative performance shirt, Freihofer's® products, a medal, a commemorative poster, and the opportunity to participate in the most empowering event in the region, if not nation.

The Training Challenge, with the help of the Capital District YMCA, kicked off this past March and more than 450 women––more than double from last year––executed the program with grace, and crossed the finish line on Saturday with poise and confidence.

Zoe Karpiak, age 14, from Koda Middle School at Shenendehowa, was this year's Poster Contest Winner. Every five years, the event organizers have a poster created to mark the year's milestone. Zoe was at the event signing her posters for participants.

For more information on the 45th Annual Freihofer's® Run for Women, the annual Kids' Run, and the Freihofer's® Capital Kids 3K, visit www.freihofer's run.com. More information can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

This year's event sponsors include the City of Albany, Price Chopper/Market 32, OrthoNY, iHeart Media, Hilton Garden Inn Albany Medical Center, Capital District YMCA, Albany Braces, UCAN, Recovery Sports Grill, Fort Orange Brewing, Raven Events, MAC Equipment, and Penske.

Images and video from the 45th Freihofer's Run for Women.

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About Freihofer's® Run for Women. Freihofer's®, a leading baker of delicious products, is committed to fostering the growth and recognition of women in sports and inspiring all generations of women to experience the benefits of exercise and nutritious eating. Freihofer's® continues to set the pace by sponsoring the annual Freihofer's® Run for Women 5K. In its 44th year, the event is home to the Masters World Best & U.S. All-Comers record of 15:48 set in 2004 by Colleen DeReuck and features thousands of women from recreational joggers to Olympians who challenge themselves on the picturesque 3.1-mile course. For more information, visit www.freihofersrun.com.