PEACE RACE Younkin is looking forward to race

The Pennsylvania runner, who finished 356th last year, loves Mill Creek Park.
By JOHN KOVACH
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Randy Younkin of Youngstown is a man who wears many hats, and one of them happens to be as a runner who likes the Peace Race.
Younkin, 54, is a mental health case manager, college professor, Red Cross volunteer and peace-movement leader. He has run in the Peace Race the past several years, and will be at the starting line again today for the 10-kilometer race in the 29th annual event.
"I like the Mill Creek Park course. The best thing is the beautiful course, and the second best thing is that it is mostly downhill," said Younkin, who placed 356th in last year's 10-K race in 53 minutes, 45 seconds, in a field of 584.
But, he predicted, "I am not going to do that well this year. I love to play tennis and I pulled a muscle in my abdomen and it messed up my training, so I probably will be further back in the pack."
A running background
A native of Robindale, Pa., Younkin comes from a running background at Milton Hershey High in Hershey, Pa.
"I was captain of an undefeated cross country team in high school for two years. I have been a runner ever since high school," he said.
Younkin blends running into his busy and important schedule that includes being a mental health case manager for Turning Point, a private, non-profit, comprehensive mental health service located on Youngstown's North Side. Turning Point provides services to persons with serious mental illness.
"I have a group of about 45 mental health clients. I [provide] counseling and human service needs [like] job placement and job training. Basically, I am a counselor with practical applications," said Younkin, who also works at the Mahoning County Jail in conjunction with Turning Point.
"I spend 12 hours a week counseling inmates at the county jail," he said.
A place to run
Turning Point also provides Younkin with a place where he likes to run.
"One of the neat things about Turning Point is the fitness center is right across from my office. That is where I do my training. It is for clients who are in residence and staff members," said Younkin, who has a broad educational background.
He has a bachelor's degree in marketing management from Robert Morris College, along with a master of divinity from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass.; and a master's degree in counseling from Slippery Rock University.
In addition, he has 46 graduate credits from Youngstown State in the Counselor Education Department.
College professor
Younkin also is a part-time professor of psychology at Thiel College, teaching one course a semester.
"My favorite course to teach is abnormal behavior because I get to act out in psycho-drama all of the mental health disorders," he said.
Plus, he is a volunteer for the American Red Cross, teaching CPR and first aid.
"I am active in the peace movements in Youngstown, and I am avid recyclist," he pointed out.
Today, Younkin will be lined up with about 600 other runners at the starting line on Indianola Avenue near Glenwood Avenue, preparing for another jaunt through Mill Creek Park on the way to the finish line at the YMCA downtown.
Prior to the 10-K race, the 2-mile run/walk will begin at 9:30 on Commerce Street near the YMCA, where it also will end.
kovach@vindy.com