Annual Boston half marathon, 5K set for Saturday

The Mon/Yough Trail Council will host the event at the Boston Access of the Great Allegheny Passage in Elizabeth Township.

Runners and bikers have flocked to the 150-mile Greater Allegheny Passage since 1978, and even more have in recent years to a 15mile section in Allegheny County.

The Mon/Yough Trail Council in Elizabeth Township will host its 13th annual spring fundraiser, the Boston Trail Half Marathon and 5K Run, on Saturday at the Boston Trail Access of the passage, located at 1902 Donner St. in the township.

All proceeds will go to the council, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization since 1991 that maintains a 15mile section of the trail.

With more than 500 members and dedicated volunteers, the council hosts more than 70,000 guests from nearly every state and numerous foreign countries for the event.

“This is good preparation for the big marathon in Pittsburgh,” Mon/Yough Trail Council President Connie Petras said.

There are more than 300 participants signed up, and their 60 trail volunteers provide more than 5,500 hours of service annually, according to longtime council member Tim Banfield. He said this race is the council’s biggest fundraiser.

“Last year we had the Penn State Main Campus’ running club,” Banfield said. “They came down with 80 kids. This trail is a real asset for the region, and we need support for our efforts here. It should be a nice day for running.”

Banfield said they have 20 to 30 volunteers who help with set up and at stations along the trail to aid with registration.

The deadline to sign up before prices increase for the half marathon and the 5K is 11:59 p.m. Thursday. The half marathon will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the cost is $50. The 5K is set for 9:15 a.m. to noon with a fee of $35. There are no refunds.

Races will take place rain or shine. If safety reasons necessitate a cancellation, notification will be posted on the council’s website by 5 a.m.

Packet pick up begins at 7:30 a.m. on race day and ends at 8:45 a.m. for the half marathon and at 9 a.m. for the 5K.

The course is a level, crushed limestone surface, USA Track & Field certified, with marked miles. Aid stations will be located every 2 miles and will provide basic first aid, water and Gatorade.

Energy gels will also be provided at the turn for the half marathon. Emergency medical personnel will be on-site for medical emergencies until the course closes at 1 p.m.

Racers will once again be championship timed by Runners High and results will be posted on www.runhigh. com. The MarathonPacing. com Pace Team will be back to pace runners in the half marathon; see www.marathonpacing. com/boston.

Medals will be awarded to the top three overall and age group finishers, men and women. Finisher medals will be given to those completing the half marathon, and medals will only be available on race day.

Participants are encouraged to stay for the awards ceremony or ask a friend or family member to retrieve it. For safety reasons, dogs and strollers are only permitted in the 5K run/walk.

Since the Boston Trail Half Marathon and 5K is a USATF certified race, rules state that participants who receive assistance of any kind during the race are disqualified, and awards will be given to participants who have completed the entire course.

Music, food and refreshments will be provided following the race. Due to limited parking in the area, participants may instead park at the Boston Spectrum, located at 6001 Smithfield St., and walk up the trail to the starting line.

The visitor center, which will include has snacks, stickers, socks, hats and more for sale, will be open on event day. The Embroidery People in Sutersville make the shirts.

Event sponsors include AHN Jefferson Hospital, which has a stretching booth for runners, Pennsylvania American Water, which will provide a water stand, Levin Furniture and Mattress, EQT, Basic Carbide, Steel Strong Community Federal Credit Union, Signs N At, Howell Craft, Generation Stoneworks, UPS store in White Oak, Casturo, Pozzuto’s Auto Service, the John Butler House Bed and Breakfast, TBI Contracting and Cardello Lighting and Electric Supply.

Council member Richard Kundman of Monongahela said planning the event takes half the year. When they aren’t planning this event, they are planning the fall Yough and Roll/Party on the Trail, which has bike riders.

“You couldn’t ask for a better place to run,” Kundman said. “You’ve got crushed limestone. You aren’t running on asphalt that tears up the body. The scenery is great, and there’s wildlife. The more we get the word out, the more it helps us.”

More about the race can be found at TheBostonTrail. com.