The event was in memoriam to the Class of ’89’s deceased classmates Paula Kuschel, Jennifer Styborski, Jody Wdowiasz, Michael Koch, Robert Pierce, James Kulpa, Susan Butts, Elizabeth Barnes, Tony Quiles, Susan Stoyle (Gorka), Scott Roesler, Todd Iskra, Paul Szach, Joe Pieszak, John Gizowski, Tammy Crawford, Corey Marshall, Jodie Wickham (Santiago), David Lukasik, Tom Wickham, Gloria Fred, Blanca Nieves, Conley Coleman, Gilberto Rosas, Magdalena Hazelton, James Jaffray, Kevin Kuzdzal and Kevin Wasmund.

With 180 finishers timed by Race Management Solutions Inc., the pre-race announcements from D.J. Wilson, race director, and Scott Mekus, event manager, included handing off the Marauder Trotter event to the Stride Society of Dunkirk managed by Gabby Hart, Jericha Petrella and Devin Eddy.

“For the last 12 years, I have had the honor to be the race director for the Marauder Trotter 5K — a title that was and is a great honor,” Wilson said. “Today was the last time I am able to put on my race director hat. While I am ready to move on to the next challenge in my life, I am so extremely grateful for my classmates to put their trust in me and very proud of the work we have done over the years.”

The Stride Society started in June 2025 as a way to bring the running community in the local area together. The group runs once a week and has a mix of runners and walkers of all paces and ages, and even some furry friends. Their goal is to always be community driven through service and fund raisers in order to give back as a group.

Submitted Photo The 2026 Marauder Trotter top male and female run finishers were Anthony Ruiz of Dunkirk (18:06) and Miranda Gatto of Niagara Falls (18:47), pictured between race organizers Scott Mekus, left, and DJ Wilson, right.

“We are so excited to have been asked to take over the Marauder Trotter 5K that the DHS Class of 1989 has managed for 12 years,” Hart said. “We are so thankful to DJ Wilson, Scott Mekus, Jennifer Foley, Terri Vasquez, Molly Pagan and Matt Woelfle for trusting us to carry on the Dunkirk tradition and hope we can run a well-organized event they have started — today’s race was a beautiful send-off.”

Avid runner Anthony Ruiz of Dunkirk finished this year’s run in first place with a time of 18:06 followed by second-place runner Jakob McDaneld of Falconer (18:42) and Miranda Gatto of Niagara Falls (18:47), who captured the third-place victory and overall female first-place finish.

In the 5K walking event, the top male and female finish line crossers were Melissa Congdon of Fredonia (41:22) and Riley Smith Mallon of Dunkirk (41:29). To view race results online, visit https://maraudertrotter.itsyourrace.com/Results.aspx?id=17277. Photos taken by Sheri Wilson can also be viewed on Facebook at Marauder Trotter 5K Run & Walk.

Organizers wished to give a heartfelt thanks to this year’s race sponsors which included Mark Maslakowski, The Wasmund Family, – In Memory of our Beloved Son Kevin Wasmund, Wazduck Fishing Charters – In Honor of our Beloved Brother “Wheels,” Hallmark Wealth Planning, Domingo Torres Jr., Adam Spekczynski, Bridget Kubera, Hae Jude Custom Signs And Apparel, Moving Forward Run Coaching and Eventz by Scott.

Other donors are Suzanne Wasmund-Smith, Melissa Haase, Benjamin Miller, Rachel Foley, Donald Gorka, Amy Fujii, Beth Guiliani, Sydney Yerico, Erin Harrison, Jim Garland, Abbey DuBois, Raymond Graf, Michael Formanowicz, Margaret Usey and Larry Petrella.

A special recognition goes out to the following groups who have been a part of the Marauder Trotter success over the years: DHS Class of 1989 classmates/committee, community volunteers, business/private sponsors and donors, basket auction benefactors, City of Dunkirk, Dunkirk City School District, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, Beach Dog Grill/former Beach House Bar & Grille, G & E Tents, DJ Joe Gould, Dunkirk social clubs and Trackqua Timing.

This year’s 50-50 drawing proceeds will benefit the United Way of Chautauqua County.

The Dunkirk High School Class of 1989 Memorial Scholarship, which was established in 2014 in memory of their deceased classmates and awarded annually to a graduating DHS senior, has increased a $2,600 award.

The scholarship is managed through NCCF who has been given over $85,000 from Marauder Trotter past race proceeds so far.

This year’s winner is DHS graduate Laci Delcamp who plans to pursue a career in radiologic technology.

Past winners included Alyssa Loveland (2014), Emily Karalus (2015), Ben Tarnowski (2016), Tehya Sharp (2017), Cierra Vasquez (2018), Hannah Ellman (2019), Jericha Petrella (2020), Nick Marsowicz (2021), Steven Zentz (2022), Isabella Vasquez and Jordan Lockett (2023), Trestin Briggs and Shyla Karin (2024) and Lauren McCracken (2025).

If you are interested in donating to the fund, donations can be mailed to Jennifer Ellman at 3705 New Road, Dunkirk, NY 14048 or online at http://www.nccfoundation.org/classof89.

Next year’s Marauder Trotter event will take place on Saturday, July 3, 2027 in Dunkirk.