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Friday, May 26, 1995 Page: 2B
`Old Fort’ special to area runners
It’s a Memorial Day tradition in Forty Fort for residents to get up early,
down a cup of coffee, and then hurry up to the Borough Park on Wyoming
Avenue to watch the runners compete in the Forty Fort Lions’ Old Fort 5 Miler
road raceRace Day is always an exiting time for fans and runners. After the
race, socializing is in high gear and the camaraderie is wonderful.
Then it’s time to enjoy the Memorial Day Parade.
“This is always one of my favorite runs,” said Phil Morgan, a former area
resident who now travels from his home in Benton each year to compete in the
holiday classic. “There are so many fans along the course cheering you on.
It’s just a great run.”
Last year’s Old Fort 5 Miler was a “Run of tears,” said runner Dave Stroud.
He was referring to the premature deaths of two former Forty Fort runners —
Kerry O’Neill and Bernie Hargadon — whose memories were immortalized in the
hearts of running enthusiasts by the Lions in the form of memorial awards.
Memorial awards in O’Neill’s and Hargadon’s names were presented to the
overall male winner, Tim Tyson, and the overall female winner, Bethany Harry,
in last year’s event. These awards will be presented annually.
Ironically, O’Neill’s cousin, Robin Brown, won the “First Forty Fort Female
Resident to Finish Award” last year. And Bernie Popson, one of Hargadon’s
dearest friends and this year’s race director, won the “First Forty Fort Male
Resident to Finish Award.”
This year’s race — the 15th annual — gets underway bright and early at
8:30 a.m. Registration tables, the day of the race, will be open at 7 a.m. at
the Borough Park. The fee is $11.
Popson emphasized the race will start at 8:30 a.m. — sharp!
“We want to make sure that we finish in time so that we don’t conflict with
the parade,” he said.
Popson hopes to see 200 runners in this year’s race. On Wednesday, Popson
said that 70 people pre-registered. “We normally have 100 people registering
on the day of the race,” he added.
There will be three water stops along the course. And split times will be
given at each mile.
All participants will automatically be entered into a drawing for a
“Special Edition” 12-speed mountain bike, donated by Pepsi. The drawing will
be held immediately following the race.
In addition to the trophies for the male and female champions and first
residents to finish, trophies will be awarded to the first finisher in each
male and female age group. And medals will be awarded to second and third
place finishers in each age group.
Tyson is pre-registered and ready to defend his crown. Look for another
former friend of Hargadon’s, Wendy Rauscher, to contend for this year’s female
crown.
So, if you want to start the holiday off with a real fun time, get up early
and make your way to the Forty Fort Borough Park and join a bunch of people
who know how to have a good time.
And then stick around for the parade.
Schedule
Saturday, June 3: 18th annual West Pittston Run/Fun Walk at the West
Pittston Municipal Building, 555 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. 4 mile fun walk,
9 a.m.; 4 mile run, 10 a.m. Info: Borough office, 655-7782; Jamey Smith,
883-7274; John Grimes, 655-6198.
Sunday, June 4: Children’s Miracle Network Telethon 5K Run at 8:30 a.m. at
the Knapper Clinic at Geisinger Hospital, Danville. Info: Geisinger
Foundation, c/o Telethon Office, 100 North Academy Avenue, Danville, Pa.
17822-4000.
Saturday, June 10: Spartan 5Km, Hughesville. No other info available.
Wednesday, June 14: BOBCAT Mile at 6:30 p.m. at Tunkhannock High School.
Free! No awards — just a rewarding experience! There will also be 1 mile runs
on the second Wednesday of July (the 12th) and the second Wednesday of August
(the 9th). Info: 836-1371.
Wednesday, June 14: Wyoming Valley striders Trail Run at Nesbitt Park,
Wilkes-Barre. The WVS will also hold trail runs at Nesbitt Park on Wednesday,
July 12th and Wednesday, Aug. 9. Info: Vince Wojnar, 474-5363.
Sunday, June 16: 19th annual Dunmore Father’s Day Race at Dunmore High
School. 5,000 meter (3.1 miles) run starts at 9 a.m. at the field house and
finishes at the football field. Info: 961-0724.
Saturday, June 19: 1995 Gator (5 mile) Run to benefit students of Gate of
Heaven School at 9:30 a.m. at Gate of Heaven School, Machell Ave., Dallas.
Info: Kurt Moody, 675-6190, Jay Tanner, 675-6512.
Saturday, June 24: 17th annual Irish Heritage Games at Grotto Pizza,
Sunset, Harveys Lake: 1 Mile Fun Run, 9:30 a.m.; 5 K Run, 5 K Walk & 8.2 Mile
Run Around the Lake, 10 a.m. Info: 678-7902.
Tuesday, July 4: Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA’s “Bernie’s Memorial Run/Walk” at
the YMCA. Walk starts on River Street at 8:30 a.m. Run starts on river Street
at 9 a.m. Both races finish on the River Common. Info: Doreen Fronzoni,
823-2191.
Running Notes
Robert Miner