SUNBURY — The old song goes, “you can get yourself clean, you can have a good meal,” and if you’re fortunate enough to live in the Sunbury area, you can compete in the YMCA’s annual 5K run.
“This is the 22nd year the race has been held,” said physical program director Toni Mudge.
The competition, which is not limited to members of the YMCA, opened with a cheer Saturday as Mudge announced the 9 a.m. start of the race. Young and old alike filled in at the starting line in anticipation of the start.
“Anyone under 18 needs permission from a parent,” said Mudge. “Other than that the race is open to anyone who wants to run.”
The 22-year-old race benefits the YMCA, a non-profit organization. The money raised will help improve facilities, as well as fund next year’s race.
“We are a non-profit group,” said Mudge. “This race will help us keep our place updated.”
The 5K started with an almost party-like atmosphere as the DJ blared the latest Backstreet Boys song and 110 runners took to the starting line. The group was composed of locals and the occasional out-of-towner.
“It is mainly people from the area, but we have a few from outside of the region,” said Mudge. “We did have one coming from Philadelphia.”
This year the race had 65 pre-registered runners, with much more expected to come the day of the race.
“People’s plans change,” said Mudge. “We see at least 20-30 extra people sign up the day of the race.”
The race, which lets local Y members compete against fellow runners, gives the YMCA a chance, not only to keep the facilities updated, but to give back to the members and locals of the area.
The staff, made up of volunteers and YMCA employees, provides runners with fruit and water before and after the race.
“We make sure everyone has enough water,” said Mudge. “The runners get water at the halfway point of the race and the finish.”
Along with keeping runners hydrated, the staff gives out door prizes like YMCA memberships and discounts at local hotels.
Milton’s Steve Templin finished with a Big Brown type lead over the field, finishing in 17:20.
Joelle Reed was the first female contestant to finish the race with a time of 19:54:27, which was slightly faster than last year’s female mark of 20:07:28, set by Kara Stahl.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Seth Hoover/The Daily Item
-
Seth Hoover/The Daily ITem
-
Seth Hoover/The Daily ITem
Discussion
Sunbury Y holds 22nd annual 5K
- Sports
-
-
College Lacrosse: Bucknell men prepare to improve upon great season
LEWISBURG -- It started a handful of years ago, when the Bucknell men's lacrosse team put a big 'X' on the national map in Central Pennsylvania with an upset of No. 1 Maryland. From that point on Bison coach Frank Fedorjaka has had a difficult time getting big-time opponents on the schedule, even with Bucknell opting to travel under the worst of circumstances.
-
High school football: Pratt says Kutztown the right fit
SUNBURY -- When Shikellamy's Tyler Pratt joins the Kutztown University football team as a free safety next fall, he will already have a good feeling for what his position coach will expect from him. Pratt, who signed a national letter of intent this week to accept a scholarship offer to play for the Golden Bears, will be under the tutelage of his father's high school football coach.
-
Todd Stanford On high school boys basketball: Increasing the refs' workload
If two heads are better than one, does that mean six eyes are better than four? Not necessarily, according to some Heartland Athletic Conference officials. There is a move afoot in the HAC to cut the number of basketball referees from three to two for part of the season beginning next year.
-
High School Roundup: Greenwood boys complete perfect TVL season
Greenwood capped off an unbeaten 2011-12 Tri-Valley League season by crushing Halifax 61-38 on Thursday Night.
-
Shikellamy Braves pull away from Shamokin
SUNBURY — Tyler Pratt kept Shikellamy in the game in the third quarter Wednesday, scoring all seven of the Braves’ points. He then got some help in the fourth.
-
High School Roundup: Selinsgrove tops Jersey Shore
JERSEY SHORE — With the game tied at 32 at the half, the Selinsgrove boys basketball term went on a big run in the third quarter to open up the game and take a 65-56 Heartland Athletic Conference Division I win over Jersey Shore on Wednesday.
-
Shikellamy Braves rally to stay alive
SELINSGROVE — With 11 losses, the Shikellamy girls basketball team is teetering on the brink of elimination from the District 4 Class AAA playoffs. And on Wednesday night, it looked like the Braves were going to go quietly into the offseason when Selinsgrove built a 14-point lead early in the third quarter.
-
They learn to be tough young
It's difficult to recall exactly how the sequence unfolded because it happened so darn fast. Shikellamy made a couple baskets, and the crowd began to stir. It was still anybody's game, and the Braves had some momentum late in the third quarter of a recent run with Danville.
-
Motorsports: Selinsgrove, Lincoln speedways to host 360 sprint series
MECHANICSBURG -- Mach 1 Chassis of Mechanicsburg will be the title sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic 360 Sprint Car Championship Series, a $120,000 six-race tour that will include five shows at Selinsgrove Speedway and one event at Lincoln Speedway in 2012.
-
Girls basketball: Records fall, Red Tornadoes stay unbeaten
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT -- An overflow crowd zealously cheered Tierney Pfirman's pursuit of the South Williamsport scoring record throughout Tuesday's game, until their breathless faces matched the Mounties' royal blue.
- More Sports Headlines
-
