Hundreds of runners and others, along with music, games, sponsor booths, a silent auction and entertainment will all be part of the 42nd Annual Darien Road Race and Family Fun Day on Sunday, Sept. 18. The event will start at 9 a.m. that day at Pear Tree Point Beach, and race registration is now open. — an announcement from The Community Fund of Darien
You can register here. The race attracts more than 600 people and more than 450 runners of all ages participate.
Six student athletes from Darien are among the 20 swimmers in the Chelsea Piers aquatics program in Stamford who will be swimming competitively in college this fall, the sports and fitness club announced. — an announcement from Chelsea Piers in Stamford
The swim team began in September 2012 and has grown since then. CP-AC was recognized by USA Swimming as a “Gold Medal” club in 2020 and 2021. The student-athletes who will pursue a career in NCAA athletics next fall include:
“To have such a large percentage of our senior swimmers be recruited to compete at these world-renowned institutions is a testament to their hard work and dedication,” said Kevin Burton, athletic director of Chelsea Piers Connecticut. “They are true student-athletes and the embodiment of the greater Chelsea Piers athletics community.”
The rest of the 20 swimmers are from Greenwich (eight), New Canaan (two), Rye, New York (two), and one each from South Salem, New York and Westport.
The Darien Girls Gymnastic Team received its highest total score of the season, 133.85, on Saturday at the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference meet at the Gymnastics and Cheering Academy in Fairfield. — This article was contributed by Holly Russell for the team. “We had the best day we’ve ever had,” said Head Coach Judy Zakim. “It all came together. You can’t ask for better.”
Sophomore Julia Decsi won First Team All FCIAC by placing sixth on bars.
First, on Jan. 26,Darien beat the Cardinals in Greenwich, 127.45 to 120.6. Two days later, the Wave did it again in Westport, 129.75 to Staples High School’s 128.2. On Feb. 5, the last home meet this year, Darien hit Stamford High School and Westhill High School with a 126.7 that took the meet.
A mood of quiet excitement filled the gym on Jan. 8. “Let’s go! You got it!” The calls rang out, with Darien gymnasts encouraging each other to jump higher and finish stronger on vault, bars, beam, and floor. — an article by Holly Russell, on behalf of the team
The team finished with a 126.65 to beat Wilton and New Canaan — in person this year rather than virtually, which meant that for the first time since the start of the epidemic, the athletes could cheer for their rivals in person, too.
The Darien Girls Swim and Dive Team will advance to state finals Tuesday, Nov. 16. But wait, it doesn’t stop there — of all CT State finals competitions the top 24 times swimmers and the top 24 divers will head to Opens on Nov. 21 for one season-ending finale. — an announcement from the Darien Girls Swim and Dive Team
After completing a season 7-1 and ending the dual meets as Eastern Division champs, Darien High School swimmers and divers took their heat to the pool on Saturday night, Nov.
Several roads on both sides of Rings End Bridge will be closed temporarily Sunday, Nov. 7, for the “Run With The Saints” 5K Road Race, starting at 11:35 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 1864 Post Road. — an announcement from Darien police
The race should last about 45 minutes, a police announcement said. Anyone who wants to participate can register by midnight on Friday, but not on race day, itself.
Saint Luke’s Parish in Darien invites the community to lace up for the 5th annual Run with the Saints. The event benefits St. Luke’s work on behalf of an Episcopal parish in Cuba. The fundraiser, which takes place on Sunday, November 7 beginning at 11:35 a.m. (sharp), offers a choice of a 3-mile run or a 1-mile kids/adult walk, both along a beautiful route by the water. — an announcement from St.
Darien Old Timers Athletic Association (DOTAA), a local organization founded in 1961 to recognize outstanding athletes in the Darien community, will celebrate its 60th anniversary with its annual dinner on Monday, Nov. 8 at The Water’s Edge at Giovanni’s. — an announcement from the Darien Old Timers Athletic Association
The annual dinner will be a time to celebrate past athletic achievements of former Darien athletes and the funds raised will go to providing annual scholarships for Darien High School seniors (not just athletes) and supporting Darien Social Services. This year’s honorees include:
Jeff Bak, DHS ’84 (football) and played for Clemson University
Wes Barton, DHS ’92, receiving James Carlson Award for courage and achievement in the face of adversity, (lacrosse and football)
Tracey Stewart Bird, DHS ’80 (diving), dove for Stanford and currently coaches at Harvard
Michael Koenig, DHS ’80 (football)
Tom O’Malley, DHS ’84 (posthumous) (football)
Jayme Stevenson, receiving the Community Civic Award, Darien first selectman
Mark von Kreuter, DHS ’80 (posthumous) (football)
“We are proud to be celebrating the contributions of Darien athletic achievements for the past sixty years. This year’s honorees are an impressive selection of men and women who have impacted the Darien community and beyond with their athletic and civic accomplishments,” said Bill Peters, president, Darien Old Timers Athletic Association.
If you’re interested in pickleball or basketball, you can check out the new courts at Cherry Lawn Park on Sunday afternoon, where pickleball product showcases, demonstrations, skill challenges and free instruction from professionals will be offered. For basketball players, “fun and games and raffle prizes” will take place after a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony, Darien Parks & Recreation Department announced. — an announcement from Darien Parks & Recreation Department
The pickleball ribbon-cutting starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17. The ribbon-cutting at the new basketball court is at 2:30 p.m., and the event wraps up at 3:30 p.m.
Here’s the full schedule of what takes place when:
PICKLEBALL COURT
2 p.m. — Ribbon Cutting
2:15 p.m. — Product showcase and demonstrations
2:30 p.m. — Free instruction with the Pros on the court
2:45 p.m. — Fun and games!
Jonathan Engelbrecht of Darien, formerly at the Tokeneke Club and Kings Highway Tennis Club, has been promoted to the position of tennis director at Chelsea Piers Connecticut in Stamford. — an announcement from Chelsea Piers Connecticut
Engelbrecht joined the Chelsea Piers coaching staff in 2016 as a lead professional and has consistently grown with the program coaching both adult and youth athletes.
“Jonathan brings to the role an accomplished background as an athlete and teaching professional,” said Kevin Burton, athletic director at Chelsea Piers Connecticut. “Beyond that, he has earned a reputation at Chelsea Piers and throughout Fairfield County as a thoughtful and steady leader who has the respect of his peers. As we began the national search for a director, we quickly concluded that the solution was already within our club.”
Engelbrecht has been teaching in the area for over 15 years. He’s a longtime resident of Darien, where he lives with his wife and twin daughters.
Kids and teenagers of any skill level are invited to play in the Knights for Aces tennis tournament, coming Sunday afternoon, Aug. 22. — an announcement from Grassroots Tennis & Education
The competition, from 1 to 6 p.m., features round robin doubles tennis matches, starting on the courts of four clubs in Darien — Middlesex, Tokeneke, Wee Burn and Woodway. Participants are asked to arrive by 12:45 p.m.
After matches are played, the winning doubles team in each division will play in the finals at Grassroots tennis courts in Norwalk. Players and spectators are invited to enjoy pizza and refreshments, and winners will take home trophies and t-shirts.
Finals and food will be at the William Rippe Tennis Center at Springwood Park, 11 Ingalls Ave.
The Community Fund of Darien’s 41st annual Darien Road Race is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, at Pear Tree Point Beach. This year’s race will begin at 9 a.m. for the 1.5-mile Fun Run and 9:45 am for the 5-mile race. — an announcement from the Community Fund of Darien
About the Darien Road Race
The race will feature “The Finish Line” tent with music, games, sponsor booths, raffle items and an awards ceremony. The Community Fund of Darien’s signature event, The Darien Road Race, welcomes Mirador as the “presenting sponsor” for the event.
The Darien Land Trust is inviting the town to come participate in two challenges to mark the trust’s 65th anniversary year — walks in three of the trust’s preserves, now through the end of July and a running event in October. — an announcement from the Darien Land Trust
Trails Challenge
First, the Trails Challenge takes visitors to three of its preserves with walking trails: Olson Woods, (at 31-1 Heather Lane) the Trails at Cherry Lawn (at 120 Brookside Ave.) and Dunlap Woods (near the end of Parklands Drive). (This Web page shows where each of the land trust’s preserves are located, although it doesn’t give addresses of the entrances.)
The Trails Challenge, which started this weekend and runs to July 31, is to visit all three sites. Participants must register through a QR code posted at each property to be entered into a prize drawing. Winners will be announced on our website and social media on Aug.
Chelsea Piers Connecticut has hired Doug Lennox, a 2008 Beijing Olympian, as head coach of the Chelsea Piers Aquatics Club. — an announcement from Chelsea Piers Connecticut
Lennox comes to Connecticut from Princeton University, where he served his alma mater for the last four years as the men’s assistant swim coach & recruiting coordinator. “After my experiences at Princeton, I feel it is time for me to return to my roots and work with younger athletes” Lennox said. “I am eager to bring my knowledge, experience and passion to age group and senior level student-athletes who are striving to compete at the collegiate & international levels.”
The search for a new coach identified candidates from across the country, Chelsea Piers Connecticut Athletic Director Kevin Burton said. Lennox is the first coach Burton has recruited.
