Nearly 100 runners, ranging in age from 5 to 75 and representing almost 40 towns, turned out for the inaugural “It’s All Downhill From Here” 5K on Saturday, Aug. 2. Organized by Coach Jim Gerweck and the Wilton High School boys cross country team in partnership with the Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT), the race combined community spirit, athletic challenge and critical fundraising for the NRVT’s 2025 Maintenance Appeal.
The course began at Ambler Farm, navigated a steep ascent from Hurlbutt Rd. onto Skunk Ln., and finished at the NRVT trailhead on Rte. 7. While the opening stretch was challenging, the rest of the mostly downhill run drew enthusiastic praise from participants, many of whom set personal bests.
This first-year event proved to be a significant boost for the NRVT’s 2025 Maintenance Appeal, which aims to raise $40,000 by the end of September to offset increasing trail repair costs from severe weather and climate change. Sponsorships totaled $18,500, and race proceeds added another $2,500 — totaling more than half of the NRVT’s goal.
The overall runner verdict? “What a GREAT course!”
Top Women finishers
- Audrey Ahmetovic, Wethersfield
- Virginie Sette, Wilton
- Josie Goldman, Wilton
- Carol Chao, Oxford
- Bailey Bitetto, Norwalk
Top Men finishers
- Logan Santisi, Wilton
- Luis Quesada, Norwalk
- Kyle Santisi, Wilton
- Alexander Makrynasios, Wilton
- Jeffrey Hussey, Wilton
Gerweck noted the personal connection between the NRVT and Wilton’s student athletes.
“The boys — well, and the girls — are always on the trail. It is such an integral part of their training and has been since it opened in Wilton. I wanted to do something to give back from our athletic community,” Gerwick said
The NRVT is a premier recreational resource, with completed sections in Norwalk, Wilton, and Redding trails connecting into a larger 30-mile planned network stretching from Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk to Rogers Park in Danbury, and passing through Wilton, Ridgefield, and Redding along the way.
The NRVT is actively working with $8.4 million in committed constriction funding over four projects in Norwalk, Wilton, Ridgefield and Danbury. Additionally, the WestCOG regional planning association has begun a study to continue a similar trail west and north of the NRVT Danbury terminus.
“This year, when Coach Gerweck approached the NRVT Board about a 5K race, the timing was right to fold it into the Maintenance Appeal,” NRVT Executive Director Andrea Gartner said. “And given the amazing response, I think we are at the start of a new NRVT tradition.”
The NRVT Maintenance Appeal runs through Sept. 30. Donations can be made on the NRVT website, and sponsorship inquiries for next year’s race can be directed to Gartner via email.