Little Great Race in Charleroi canceled this year

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com

A long standing tradition for Mon Valley walkers and runners has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a workshop meeting Wednesday, Charleroi Council President Mark Alterici announced the Little Great Race is canceled this year.
It would have marked the 34th year for the annual September event, which attracts hundreds of runners, walkers and spectators.
The tradition began more than 30 years ago with the first Little Great Race held Sept. 24, 1987, as a prelude to the Pittsburgh Great Race.
Several years later, a committee was established to take charge of the local event.
“This is sad news,” Alterici said. “We have finally decided the Little Great Race will be postponed for this year.
“We have been tossing it around for a while and with so much uncertainty, social distancing and COVID-19, we have decided to hold off.”
Each year proceeds from the race benefit area businesses, nonprofits and residents.
Last year, the race benefited the Mon Valley YMCA in Carroll Township.
A scholarship in memory of Adam J. Boyd is also awarded to an area student by the race committee each year.
Boyd who was born Dec.11, 1989, and diagnosed nearly 10 years later with stage IV Neuroblastoma, passed away from the disease on Jan. 8, 2004.
Alterici said long-time Little Great Race Committee Chairman Vic Vitale passed off the torch this year.
New planners, including Alterici, thought it would be in the best interest of the community, participants and guests, to postpone until Sept. 11, 2021.
Alterici said there will be a new Facebook page created for the event where updates will be posted as they become available.
“Because next year will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we are planning to commemorate that day being the race will fall on 9/11,” Alterici said.