The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is pleased to inform you that the Ohrid General Hospital – Infants and Pediatrics Unit will be the beneficiary of funds from the 3rd Annual Ajvar 5K race, this time held at Dahnert’s Lake County Park in Garfield, New Jersey, on September 7, 2014. Click HERE for pictures.
Over 120 runners and walkers participated in this year’s Ajvar 5K raising approximately $5,500, which will be combined with funds raised from the 2nd Annual Ajvar 5K in Washington, D.C., New York City, and Ann Arbor. UMD is in discussion with the hospital board as well as medical professionals in the Diaspora to ensure that the total of about $10,000 will be distributed in the best possible way in the very near future.
“I am so pleased that New Jersey was the home of this year’s Ajvar 5K,” said UMD New Jersey Representative Ana Dukoska. “We hope to continue this tradition every year, and I hope to see leadership from other communities to get involved and organize their own Ajvar 5K to help our homeland Macedonia and those in need.”
Ajvar 5K brought out not just ethnic Macedonians, but also Americans of Albanian, Romanian, and other non-Macedonian heritage. UMD was pleased that Ajvar 5K crosses over ethnic lines for the benefit of those in need in Macedonia.
After running/walking six laps around Dahnert’s Lake County Park, guests enjoyed Macedonian traditional foods, and each participant received a Brian’s Fine Food-sponsored jar of Ajvar, Macedonia’s signature pepper spread.
In Men’s, David Williams finished first, while Borce Martinoski, followed second place, and Alexander Mirescu in third. Among Ladies, Danielle Fanning was first; Vigjilenca Abazi and Elena Katania tied for second, and Blaga Sekuloska in third. UMD congratulates them on winning!
The winners of the Instragram picture contest, who will receive a free registration for next year’s Ajvar 5K, are Ilina Ljoljeski and Biljana Ilieska.
UMD cannot thank enough the 3rd Annual Ajvar 5K sponsors; without them, the race would not have been possible: Insurox, Balkanika, Firehouse, Brian’s Fine Food, Mamma Mia Pizzeria, Ohrid Travel, DK Electric, Joshua Perkins Drywall, Staff – Toll Ipec, Cibo e Vino, Queen B, Alexander Mirescu, Kaffe 1668, Tatiana and Veselin Erekovcanski, Nikolina Markovski Stojkovic, Florina Gjinoski, Goce Aleksoski, Michael Turner, Vesela Nikolovski, and Josephine Bodino.
A special thanks goes to the planning committee members Vera Arsova, Simona Choleska, Ana Dukoska, Donka Ilieski, and Elizabetta Papuckoska and all the great volunteers on the day of the race.
Save the Date for the 4th Annual Ajvar 5K – Sunday, September 13, 2015