MARC sets date for 5K run/walk
By Eric Seiverling
eseiverling@yourmvi.com
Lace up your running —or walking — shoes for the Monongahela Area Revitalization Corporation’s fourth annual “On Your MARC Cox Market the Best Yet 5K Run/Walk” set for Aug. 7.
Runners will begin at 8 a.m. and walkers will begin at 8:02 a.m.
The event starts and finishes at the Noble J. Dick Aquatorium and will wind through the neighborhoods of Monongahela and New Eagle.
The deadline to apply for the $20 registration fee rate is Aug. 6. The first 100 applicants are guaranteed a shirt and race bag. A $25 late registration fee will be accepted at the race site until 7:30 a.m. the morning of the race, although a shirt and race bag will not be guaranteed.
Race applications can be found at Cox Market, 711 Route 481, Sparkles by Shell, 246 W. Main St., and at the Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce, 208 W. Main St. Online registration is at www.runsignup.com.
MARC President George Eckert said he’s already received applications from runners and walkers from throughout the Mon Valley as well as from West Virginia and Ohio.
“It draws some people in,” Eckert said.
In 2019, the race drew 119 participants as part of the city’s 250th celebration, according to Eckert.
Last year’s race was canceled due to COVID-19, and Eckert said the group chose not to have the race held virtually like other communities.
“I wasn’t going to do that last year,” he said. “We shut it down and we’ll bring it back this year.”
Medals will be awarded to the fastest overall runner and walker, and the top two male and female runners and walkers will also be awarded. Runners in eight age categories and walkers in seven age categories will also receive medals.
Volunteers, as well as personnel from Monongahela and Carroll Township police departments and Monongahela and New Eagle fire departments, will be located throughout the race’s intersections to help with traffic control.
A station with water, oranges and Gatorade will be located at the intersection of 12th and Chess streets.
Eckert said the race will help fund MARC projects, such as a new roof at the city’s Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority bus stop at West Main and Fourth streets, and help pay for insurance for other MARC events.
This year’s race will also feature the “Beat the Chief” challenge. Monongahela police Chief Kevin Harris has issued a challenge to any runner under the age of 18 that beats him to the finish line will get a free serving of ice cream from Sweets by Mrs. C.
Event sponsors are: Cox Market, Big G Tire Pros, cfsbank, Cox Distributing, CSC Insurance Options, Davies Ford of Charleroi, Dee’s Cricket of Charleroi, EQT, Frye Funeral Home, Marshall Marra Funeral Home, Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority, Model Cleaners, Monongahela Cemetery, Monongahela Area Chamber of Commerce, Monongahela Valley Hospital, Nova Care of Monongahela, Page Dairy Mart, Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Club, PNC Bank, Sheetz, Inc., Sparkles by Shell, Stoney’s Brewing Company, Webster Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation and Zimmer Printing.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/MonongahelaAreaRevitalizationCorporationMarc.
