Athletes ring in summer with 5K run at Moraine
MUDDY CREEK TWP -- Dozens of runners officially rang in the summer at Moraine State Park on Wednesday evening, June 21, by taking part in the Summer Solstice 5K run.
There were 127 runners signed up for the 5K race.
Conditions were perfect for running, with a slight breeze chilling the athletes. This was the sixth annual Summer Solstice run, and according to organizer Leslie Henderson of the Slippery Rock High School Cross Country Boosters, the weather has never been better.
Proceeds for the event went toward Slippery Rock High School’s cross-country program. Accordingly, members of Slippery Rock’s cross country teams -- both girls and boys -- took part, including Tessa Szymanski.
"It’s a tradition for the cross country team, and it’s always a lot of fun,“ Szymanski said.
The 5K was run over the South Shore portion of Moraine State Park, with participants starting from and finishing at the Pleasant Valley Beach. After completing two miles, runners made a 180-degree turn at the boat ramp before reaching the finish line.
Along the course there were two stations where runners could pick up water and re-hydrate themselves. At the finish line, runners could find an ample supply of both water and bananas.
“We give bananas and water to our 5K finishers to prevent cramping, because the potassium in bananas is a runner’s best friend,” Henderson said. “Also, the park provided cookies for our 12 and under runners.”
The winner of the 5K received a custom trophy made by David Snyder, with a base shaped like the route of the course the runners would be racing on. Snyder didn’t just design the trophy, but also took part in the 5K, having heard about it from a running group he takes part in called Butler County Milers.
27-year-old Devan Evanovich of Venetia, Pa. crossed the finish line first in the 5K with a time of 17:43.44.
Jason Smith, who finished fifth in the 5K, was fond of the course and the surroundings.
"It was a beautiful day for a run,“ Smith said. ”There was challenging parts, but a beautiful scene there with the lake, so I loved it.“
Prior to the start of the 5K run, a separate one-mile run was held for kids. There were 10 children signed up to participate, with Riley Springer coming home as the winner in a time of 8:01 — well ahead of the rest of the field.
Running alongside the kids were members of the Nike Community Ambassador program, who were on hand to serve as pacemakers for the young runners and provide moral support.
"What we do is, we volunteer within our community. We’re trying to help the kids become active and stay active,“ said Nike volunteer Mike Hudson.
This year’s Summer Solstice run was an international event. A group of runners from the Herlihy family came all the way from Ireland to take part in the 5K event while visiting their aunt in Pennsylvania.
“We don’t have this back in Ireland, so it’s good to see it,” Luke Herlihy said about Moraine State Park.
