Ridgewood Run co-founder to be honored at Memorial Day event
MAY 23, 2014 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY GAIL KISLEVITZ
CORRESPONDENT
RIDGEWOOD – In honor of world-class marathoner and village resident Toshiko d’Elia, who passed away in February at the age of 84, a one-time monetary prize will be awarded to the first female masters (40-and-older) winner of the 5K and 10K events at the 39th annual Ridgewood Run on Monday, organized by North Jersey Masters Track and Field Club, which was founded by d’Elia and her late husband Manfred.
The first female masters award, presented on behalf of the executive staff of The Valley Hospital and the d’Elia-Diestel family, is for $500. This is in addition to the standard prize structure of the event, which offers $300 for the first masters winners. d’Elia’s daughter, Erica Diestel, wanted to honor her mother at the race this year, the first time Toshiko will not run since the inaugural race in 1976.
“My mother came late to running when she was already a masters, so I think she would love the idea of a special award just for female masters,” said Diestel. The first female masters award is open to all registered women age 40 and older.
In addition to the prize money, a trophy and special “Toshi” T-shirt will be awarded to the winners. To further honor d’Elia, North Jersey Masters has installed a bench at Veterans Field next to a tree that was planted in honor of Manfred d’Elia when he passed away in 2000.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/running/late-co-founder-of-event-to-be-honored-1.1022158#sthash.MHsgUsFp.dpuf
