Runners line up for the 5K race Sunday, Oct. 29 at Adams Township Park, in support of the creation of the Adams Township Training & Aquatics Community Center. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

Andrew Moulton, of Harmony, runs in a 5K race Sunday morning, Oct. 29, at Adams Township Park, to help raise money for the creation of an aquatic community center in Adams Township. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

ADAMS TWP — Even though he was dressed as a shark Sunday, Oct. 29 during a 5K run to raise money to install a community and aquatic center in Adams Township, Andrew Moulton’s daughter would probably benefit from it more than him.

Moulton said he wanted to run the 5K for the Adams Township Training & Aquatics Community Center, or ATTACC, because there's a lack of places for young swimmers to practice in.

“My daughter swims for the Cranberry Township YMCA swim team,” he said. “Eventually this would be the pool where they practice. It’s such a need here.”

The nonprofit group formed to facilitate the installation of an aquatics center in Adams Township is raising money for a feasibility study, which the 5K and one-mile fun run Sunday morning supports.

Tara Quinn, media relations coordinator for the group, said the organization decided to host a fun run because several members of its board of directors are runners and participate in races regularly.

“Mainly it’s because our board members are runners,” Quinn said. “This will help a lot with the feasibility study we are trying to pay for.”

Quinn said she expected 90 to 100 people total to participate in the one-mile and the 5K. Despite the rain, many of the costume-clad participants smiled and danced at the starting line.

Quinn was pleased with the turnout, given the event was organized relatively quickly.

The 5K route took participants through and around Adams Township Park, and the one-mile course took people on a shorter route across.

Katie Johnston walked the one-mile course, while her children, 6-year-old Joshua and 11-year-old Emma, ran the course. She said some of their neighbors are involved in the ATTACC organization, which her family was happy to support.

“We think it’s a great idea to try to improve the facilities around here,” Johnston said.

Quinn said the community support for installing an aquatic center has been good to see, and the organization will have more fundraisers in the future, including a fall fundraiser Nov. 29 at the Dented Keg in Mars.

Moulton said he is looking forward to the aquatic center, because it would give his daughter and others in the area more room to swim.

“So many groups will be able to use this,” Moulton said.

For more information on the ATTACC, visit its website at theattacc.org.

Joshua Johnston, 6, left, and Emma Johnston, 11, prepare to run a one-mile race Sunday, Oct. 29 at Adams Township Park. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle10/29/23