Nearly three decades ago, Judy Sittnick and her husband Ken approached then-mayor Hank Luzzi about forming a road race in town. The East Haven Fall Festival had been underway only a short time and the road race was brought into the weekend as a complementary event.

“My husband was a runner and we thought it could be good for the town,” says Judy. “We organized the race for about 25 years before we took a little hiatus, but it really did grow over the years.”

The couple’s break from organizing the event didn’t last long. Judy got a call from then-mayor Joe Maturo one day asking her to come into his office. When Judy arrived, the police chief and fire chief were also there.

“They wanted me to restart the road race to benefit the East Haven Police Athletic League [PAL],” says Judy. “PAL works with the town youth to engage them in things like sports. Right now they’re trying to get kids to run with a police officer in the race.”

This year’s East Haven Road Race is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11 with the “almost-a-mile” Fun Run at 9 a.m. and the 5K race at 9:30 a.m. Registration is open online through www.ehroadrace.com and race-day registration begins at 8 a.m. The first 100 registrants will receive a T-shirt. Registration for the 5K is $25 through Aug. 31 and $30 after Sept. 15. Under 18 are $15. The Fun Run entry fee is $15. Wheelchair athletes are welcome in both events.

The East Haven Community Classic 5K Road Race is a certified 5K course the starts and ends at the East Haven Town Green with split times at miles one and two and computerized timing and results. Trophies will be awarded to the first overall finishers (male and female) and to the top three finishers in each age division (male and female) with divisions split into 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 and older. In addition, the first East Haven resident finishers (male and female) will receive special awards.

Though all of the action will take place on Sept. 11, preparing for the race begins long before race day. Judy has to apply to have the course certified by the USATF and organize the details like T-shirts, registration, coordinating volunteers, and gathering sponsors.

“Because we didn’t do it for a few years, we’re at a building time right now, but we’re doing very well. We try to get as many sponsors as we can because everything gets expensive,” says Judy. “It’s a tremendous amount of work the day of race as well, getting timers set, registering people, putting mile markers out, cutting watermelon and oranges, stocking water stops, and more. We need a lot of volunteers. The entire police force comes out that morning, too, so everyone is safe.”

Judy encourages anyone interested in becoming a sponsor or a volunteer to contact her at 203-996-6596 or judyamerclean@aol.com.

The East Haven Road Race is held during the weekend of the East Haven Fall Festival, which is Friday to Sunday, Sept. 10, 11, and 12. The Fall Fest also features food vendors, a car show, entertainment, a business showcase, community booths, craft vendors, a teen corner, and more. For updates, like @EHFallFest on Facebook.

Judy’s Fall Festival weekend kicks off before the road race, though, as she is a co-chair of the East Haven Merit Awards with Jack Stacey. The Merit Awards have been held for more than two decades to recognize community members who have volunteered for the betterment of the community.

This year’s recipients include Kyle Miller, Nina Marreiros, Susan Stacey, Wendy Bellmore, and Tory Teto. The individuals will be honored on Thursday, Sept. 9 at Seasons at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit the East Haven Fall Festival.

“I’m overwhelmed by our recipients’ love for volunteering,” says Judy. “Our town is wonderful and full of people helping.”

Judy explains that the Merit Award Committee receives nominations from the community, which the committee then reviews. Usually the committee is considering people who have receive one or two nominations, but Tory Teto received several from community members.

“We usually recognize four people, but this year, we have a special award for someone who went above and beyond during COVID to cheer people up as he rode around in his dad’s pickup truck playing music,” says Judy. “He raised more than $12,000 and donated to the food pantry and other causes.”

In addition to working with both the road race and the Merit Awards, Judy has been actively involved with the Shore Line Trolley Museum (SLTM) for more than a decade. Wayne Sanford, who recently retired as president of the SLTM board, encouraged Judy to volunteer. Judy served two three-year terms as a trustee, which helps to run the museum.

“We get trolleys in from other states like the 9/11 car and take care of voting and accepting those,” says Judy. “The trustees have a wide range of responsibilities. They basically run the museum.”

Trustees are limited to two terms, but Judy has remained involved. She is the co-chair of two separate committees, recently overseeing a banquet held to thank some of the SLTM’s biggest donors.

Judy, who just turned 75, does all of her volunteer work while continuing to run the carpet and upholstery cleaning business she began 30 years ago. Prior to opening the business, she had attended the Yale New Haven Hospital School of Radiography and worked in the hospital for several years before their daughter Karla was born.

Even though her schedule continues to be full, Judy continues to enjoy all of her volunteer work. She is thankful for the friendships that volunteering has allowed her to form over the years and hopes others will join in.

“We’re always looking for volunteers with the SLTM and the road race,” says Judy. “Even though I’m busy, I have good committees. By being involved, I’m meeting new people all the time and my circle of friends has grown greatly. I do it for the friendships, my enjoyment of giving back, and my love for East Haven.”