FALL RIVER — Eli Shoesmith had one goal in mind before the start of the Thomas Giunta 5K Road Race on Sunday.

But he is a veteran racer. He is 5 years old and this is his second 5-kilometer race.

He wasn’t telling anyone his race secrets.

Until he crossed the finish line and turned, laughing to his grandfather, Mark Aguelo, who finished right behind him.

“I passed you,” Eli said. “That was cool.”

Eli and his grandfather were part of pack of 1,050 human and six canine participants in the 25th annual Thomas Giunta Road Race.

The race kicked off at 12:10 p.m. Sunday in the industrial park. Runners tackled a gradual but painful hill, first while running south and then, in the opposite direction after the turn that brought them back running north. They finished where they started, in front of BKs Beacon Tavern.

Joe DosReis, 17, finished the 3.1 miles in 15 minutes and 56 seconds. He also won the race last year. Debby Dorego was the female winner.

DosReis wore the singlet of the Providence Police. His mother Nancy DosReis, retired from the department. His father, Joseph DosReis, is still on the force.

The Providence police and Fall River police were among several departments that sent large contingents to the race. The race was formed to raise money for scholarships to honor the memory of Fall River Officer Thomas Giunta, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Aug. 24, 1994.

His son, Fall River Officer Timothy Giunta, is one of the race organizers.

The event raised $18,000 last year, money that was awarded in scholarships, according to Officer David Pacheco, the race chair.

“Having the race go on for 25 years shows the strength of the bond between the community and the police department,” Pacheco said.

“It has been 25 years and we haven’t forgotten Tommy. That says a lot.”

There were several running clubs present plus fitness clubs, with club singlets worn by runners and those present to cheer them on.

Walkers covered the loop behind the runners, most of them in less than an hour. Men and women pushing strollers formed groups. Most of the children in the strollers were sound asleep by the time they reached the finish line.

Fire Chief John Lynch was one of the walkers. He completed the distance one day after he was taken to the hospital with injuries received when he fell through the floor of a burning building on Palmer Street.

He wore long trousers to hide the stitches that ran up the front of his right leg.

As he approached the finish line, he stopped often to talk to people he knew and to shake hands. He was reminded that stopping to talk was wrecking his time.

“My time was wrecked a long time ago,” he answered.

Winning, for most participants, was a matter of perspective.

It was for Eli Shoesmith.

He finished in the middle of the pack, but one place ahead of his grandfather.

“Yep,” he said. “I won.”

Email Kevin P. O’Connor at koconnor@heraldnews.com.