A resounding feeling of togetherness characterized this year’s UFT 5K Family Run/Walk, which took place on May 6 in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

“I feel a sense of camaraderie,” said Stephanie Suarez, a teacher at PS/IS 192 in Brooklyn, who was participating for the first time.

Despite forecasts of rain, nearly 200 UFT members and students participated in the run, which raised almost $6,000 for the UFT Disaster Relief Fund. Almost as a reward, the morning gave way to cool breezes and sunshine as runners and walkers made their way along the Coney Island boardwalk and then back to the stadium at MCU Park, home to the minor league Brooklyn Cyclones.

“Every year, we come together as friends, families and colleagues and we really make a difference by advocating for good health,” said Vice President for Middle Schools Richard Mantell, who organized the event, now in its fourth year. “We also raise funds for communities that are deeply affected by disaster, and it’s an honor to support them.”

The overall winner, for the second year in a row, was Stuart Kaplan, a social studies teacher at the HS for Law and Public Service in Manhattan. He broke his record from last year with a time of 20 minutes, 37 seconds.

“Running is a way to bring everyone together,” Kaplan said. “We’re celebrating public schools, we’re celebrating each other and it’s just a really great way to get out there and show everyone who we are.”

The fastest woman in the race was Victoria Primiano, a UFT chapter advocate.

Teacher Rakibat Abiola, who came in second among the female runners, was part of a four-person team from the International High School at Lafayette in Brooklyn.

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I had fun and I’ll come back next year,” she said.

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