Steamy August temperatures may not produce record times, but runners can test their summer fitness by participating in races at distances ranging from 5 kilometers to the half-marathon this month.
Saturday, Aug. 8, in Chambersburg, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the 28th annual Tom Ausherman Memorial 5-Mile Run will be held.
This classic race offers uniquely crafted, hand-made pottery awards, cash prizes to top finishers, dri-fit T-shirts, plenty of good food and cold beverages and the opportunity to walk home with a check for $750 or $250, just for finishing the race.
At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, random prizes of $750 and $250 will be awarded to two lucky race finishers.
The course is flat, fast and USATF certified.
For more details, go to their website: http://www.ausherman5miles.com.
In 2014, the Schuylkill County Triple Crown of road racing was initiated. Three of the county’s most established and popular races, the Sol Lipton, Truskey and Rhoades 5K events were included, with the male and female finisher placing highest in all three events earning the trophy.
Local running superstars Justin O’Brien and Samantha Snukis were the inaugural winners.
The Sol Lipton Run Fest kicks off this year’s Triple Crown competition, with its 35th annual 5K race on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 8:30 a.m. in Pottsville. The course is flat, fast and USATF certified.
Runners who enjoy a challenge may want to take on the half-marathon event, 13.1 miles, covering Pottsville’s relentless hills. That race will begin at 8 a.m. and is USATF certified.
For the kids, a 1.5-mile fun run will also be held.
For more information, visit the Sol Lipton Run Fest Facebook page.
Proceeds from the race benefit the Sol Lipton Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to Pottsville Area and Nativity students.
On the following Saturday, Aug. 29, beginning at 10 a.m. at Tuscarora State Park, the Chris and Kevin Truskey 5K and 10K Memorial will be held. The 5K will comprise the second leg of the Triple Crown, with the final leg to be contested at October’s Rhoades Race 5K.
Runners have the option of running either the 5K or 10K at the Truskey event. Entry fees are low and awards are plentiful.
This race also offers scholarship money to local students.
For more information, email truskey@ptd.net.
There are two other running events to round out the month.
In Pine Grove, beginning at 9 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 29, the Pine Grove Hose, Hook and Ladder Company Number 1 will hold the End of Summer 5K and 10K races.
This race will benefit the fire company.
For more information, contact Bob Miller at pghhl@comcast.net.
Also, on Saturday, Aug. 29, beginning at 9 a.m. at Hershey High School, the 24th annual Ben and Tim Day 5K run will be held. There will also be a 1-Mile Fun Run held at 10 a.m. This race is conducted on a beautiful, rolling course through the countryside. The course has recently been USATF certified.
There are cash prizes and awards in all age divisions. The race and the festivities of the day, including a soccer tournament, benefit a scholarship fund in honor of the two young men who lost their lives in a tragic auto accident in 1992.
One of the young men is Ben Yupcavage, whose parents are Pottsville natives.
For more information about the race, visit: http://www.benandtimday.org/.
There are plenty of great races at every race distance during the month of August.
(Muldowney is an avid runner
and local author)