Sweating for Hoboken Catholic Academy

People of all ages—literally, from 2-year-old to middle aged—broke a sweat for Hoboken Catholic Academy at Pier A Park Saturday morning, during a first of its kind 5K race. 

The race was the brainchild of parent Claudia Orlando, who has a son in Pre-K and a daughter in first grade at Hoboken Catholic. 

"Hoboken used to have eight Catholic schools," said Orlando. She said the race aims to help the school and keep it "competitive with the other private schools."

The money that was raised (at least $15,000 according to Orlando, but she could not give an exact amount) will go towards the school's technology initiative, Orlando said, to improve the school's computers. 

A much needed improvement, according to three sixth graders, who said that the computer room was recently converted into a classroom.  

"There's definitely a void in technology," said Jeanne McPhillips, whose son Mark is in the sixth grade at Hoboken Catholic. McPhillips had been at Pier A Park with her son and his two friends, since 8 a.m.

Approximately 480 people participated in the 5K. Orlando said that far surpassed the organizers goal of getting 275 runners to sign up. Approximately 100 kids participated in the kids dash.  

Sponsors had set up tents on Pier A. Sponsors ranged from Platinum ($5,000) to Bronze ($500). East Coast, a Hoboken based rehabilitation practice, was the only Platinum sponsor. 

After the 5K—16-year-old Daniel Gaspar from Lyndhurst and 22-year-old Cheyenne Ogletree from Garfield were the fastest—it was time for the Kids dash. As elementary school kids bounced across the Pier (all wearing No. 1), parents cheered and clapped. 

Around 11:30 a.m., the parents and the children went over to Texas Arizona, where the after party was being held. Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro made a special appearance and—of course—a special cake.

Orlando said she wants to make the 5K into an annual event, but plans to make it bigger and better. 

"My goal is to have the entire pier filled," said Orlando.