For Immediate Release
November 10, 2025
The NCEF Celebrates the 12th Running of Tackle the Trail
The Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation (NCEF) held the 12th annual Tackle the Trail event on Saturday, October 18. Known as Northeast CT’s unique race in an amazing place, Tackle the Trail features multiple distances, including marathon, marathon relay, half-marathon, 10K, and TackleJR. This event attracts runners from near and far. To date, runners from 34 states and 5 countries have Tackled the Trail. For 2025, the 10K male winner hailed from New Zealand.
Monique Wolanin, Race Director and CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley Director of Institutional Advancement shared her appreciation for all who support the race each year, “Since our inaugural race in 2014, Tackle the Trail continues to grow, raising over $650,000 to help local students reach their educational goals and dreams. We could not put on this race without the generous support of so many, including our runners, volunteers, sponsors, and partnerships with many local organizations. On behalf of the hundreds of students who benefit from this event, heartfelt thanks.”
2025 winners include: marathon male Travis Godley, female Sara Tarascio; half-marathon male Chris Churchill, female Shelley Buchbinder, non-binary Dylan Lomangino; 10K male Willie Gunn, female Annie O’Sullivan, non-binary Liz Paglione; marathon relay male team Pomfret School XC, female team Trail this Pace, and mixed team Striding to the Top. For a complete list of 2025 results, sponsors, partners, photos and all race information, please visit tacklethetrail.org.
The mission of the Northeast Connecticut Education Foundation is to provide scholarships and other financial support to residents of Northeast Connecticut who want to pursue higher education. Visit necteducationfoundation.org for more information.
To learn more about CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley and ways to support local students attending the college, please contact Monique C.K. Wolanin at (860) 932-4174 or monique.wolanin@ctstate.edu.
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