During the last full month of summer, several local iconic races fill the calendar featuring distances for all runners of all ages.
The events begin Saturday at Blue Mountain High School in Orwigsburg with the annual Run for the Eagles 5K and 1.5-Mile Walk/Junior High Run. The 5K Run begins at 9 a.m.
The Run for the Eagles 5K has become an event where local high school cross country teams have the opportunity to evaluate their runners for the upcoming season. All runners enjoy the course, which starts and finishes on the Blue Mountain High School track, then follows school roadways, grass fields and hilly trails.
Awards will be presented to overall male and female race winners, and in age divisions ranging from 14-and-under to 60-and-over.
In the 1.5-mile junior high race, awards will be presented in age divisions ranging from 11-and-under to 13-14, and for the top three male and female walkers.
Proceeds from the race go to the Blue Mountain cross country program. For additional information and an entry blank, contact Bret Challenger at bchallenger@ comcast.net.
Truskey Run
One of the most popular running events in our region, and a favorite among competitors, is the annual Chris and Kevin Truskey 5K and 10K Memorial Run that will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, beginning at 10 a.m. at Tuscarora State Park. Proceeds from the event benefit the Chris and Kevin Truskey Scholarship Fund.
The course at Tuscarora State Park is the site of the annual Schuylkill League Cross Country Championship, so many local cross country teams use the race as a means of tuning up for the October championship meet. Cross country teams from across the state attend the Truskey race in order to enjoy the classic course, nestled in the mountains and along the lake.
It is difficult to find a 10K race these days, so many runners take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the challenging 10K course at Truskey.
Overall awards in both races are presented to the top three male and female runners, and in age divisions ranging from 13-and-under to 70-and-over.
For an entry blank or additional information, email Wayne or Pat Truskey at truskey@ptd.net.
The Truskey 5K will be the first of three local races in which runners will compete in the first Schuylkill County 5K Triple Crown Series.
The top male and female runners who participate in the Truskey, Sol Lipton and Rhoades 5Ks and finish with the highest combined placement will receive the triple crown trophy.
Sol Lipton Runfest
The 34th annual Sol Lipton Runfest will be held Sunday, Aug. 31, beginning at 8 a.m. in Pottsville. This year’s event is a week earlier than usual, as the Sol Lipton Runfest is usually held on the first weekend of September.
The first of three races, the half marathon, begins at 8 a.m. The USA Track and Field-certified, 13.1-mile course covers a challenging route through the streets of Pottsville. Everyone who crosses the finish line receives a uniquely designed finisher medal. The top male and female finishers receive $250 cash prizes.
The 5K begins at 8:30 a.m. Also run on a USATF-certified course, the 5K is the second leg of the Schuylkill County 5K Triple Crown Series and follows a flat, fast course through downtown Pottsville. Cash awards are presented to the top three finishers.
Numerous age division awards will be given to top finishers in age divisions ranging from 13-and-under to 70-and-over in the 5K race.
Finally, at 10 a.m., the 1.5-mile Fun Run/Walk begins. All finishers receive a finishing ribbon, and awards are presented to first-place finishers ages 13-and-under.
You may register online at www.active.com/keyword: SOL
The final race in the Schuylkill County 5K Triple Crown Series is the Rhoades Race 5K, which will be held Sunday, Oct. 19. More about the Rhoades Race in future columns.
From 1.5 to 13.1 miles, Schuylkill County races have it all in August.
(Muldowney is an avid runner and head cross country coach at
Penn State Schuylkill)