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A decade of community, fitness and giving came full circle on Sunday, April 27th as B��Ԫ hosted its 10th Annual “Conquer the Trail” race. Organized by the Exercise Science Club, the milestone event returned to its roots with a 5K race along the scenic Old Croton Aqueduct Trail, drawing 70 runners from across the region.

Held under clear skies and spirited cheers, this year’s race featured a classic flat and fast route, with a single hill just before the finish line. The event began and ended on Mercy’s Westchester campus and wound through the historic trail, offering runners a beautiful backdrop and a well-organized challenge.

Awards were presented to the top three male and female finishers. Among the men, Tom Cameron, Mercy’s director of performance marketing, took first place with a time of 20:47, followed by Dmitry Ivanov at 22:33, and Stefan Modrich at 27:08. On the women’s side, Krista Barron led the pack with 20:52, closely followed by Liliana Brandwein (22:00) and Lily Korb (22:14).

“This race started ten years ago thanks to Steven Estremera, a student at the time,” said Amanda Bireline, assistant professor of Health Science. “Steven is still our race director today, and we’re proud that the club and Exercise Science faculty continue to lead this effort annually.”

The race is a hands-on experience for students, particularly from the Exercise Science (EXSC) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. This year, 21 student volunteers supported the event by directing runners, providing encouragement along the route and managing logistics. While most volunteers were from health science programs, students from other departments also pitched in.

In addition to student support, the race attracted five community sponsors and welcomed participants from across Westchester County, Manhattan and the broader local area — a testament to the event’s growing reputation.

This year, the event supported Midnight Run, a volunteer organization dedicated to connecting housed and unhoused individuals through direct outreach. Each year, the club selects a different nonprofit to support. Previous beneficiaries have included the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry and New York Special Olympics, among others.

“The race has evolved over the years,” Bireline noted. “We’ve tried different formats — a 10K, different routes — but this year, for our 10th anniversary, we went back to the original 5K. Next year, we’re planning something special: a 7.5K race to celebrate Mercy’s 75th anniversary.”

From left to right: Dmitry Ivanov, second place winner, and Tom Cameron, first place 

From left to right: Krista Barron,  Liliana Brandwein and Lily Korb