Family will run as one

By John Kovach

Tom Frederick of Austintown is the oldest of 14 members entered in today’s race.

YOUNGSTOWN — It will be “Family Day” for today’s Frederick family at the 34th annual Peace Race.

The family will have 14 members of their clan entered in the 10-kilometer (6-mile) run and the 2-Mile Fun Walk/Run combined, their ages spanning about 74 years.

The oldest, Tom Frederick, 74, of Austintown who has run in the Peace Race since 1981, will be joined by his wife, Thea, and their three sons, six grandsons and three daughters-in-law. All live in the Youngstown area.

Tom and son Jeff will run the 10K while the other 12 will participate in the 2-mile event. They are Tom’s other two sons, Brian and Greg, grandsons Thomas ll, Cole ll, Jake ll,Dan 8, and Mitchell 8, along with Thea and daughters-in-law Lisa, Leah and Angela, and new grandson Luke (two months old).

“Luke will be pushed in a stroller by his mother, Angela,” said Thea, who is looking forward to her family reunion of running and walking.

“We always have been trying to get everyone together to run, but everyone has been busy, but this year it worked out.”

Thea said that running and walking are important in their family.

“Because my husband is a runner, running has been promoted in our family,” Thea said. “My husband has run so long, and little by little his sons began running, and little by little the grandsons started running.”

Thea said she plans to walk the 2-mile course with all of the other girls from her family.

The 2-mile Fun Walk/Run will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by the 10-kilometer run at 10:15.

The 2-mile event will begin and end downtown on West Federal Street between Hazel Street and Vindicator Square.

The 10K race will start on West Indianola Avenue near the water tower, extend through Mill Creek Park and end downtown Commerce Street near Wick Avenue.

Registration may be made today before the race at the Central YMCA for $20.

This year’s Peace Race has been designated as the 10K state championship race by the Road Runners Club of America.

Proceeds from the Peace Race will benefit the Rich Center for Autism.

Last year’s winners were Matt Folk, 31, of Youngstown in the 10K in 29:33, and Rick Lape, 19, Boardman in the 2-mile in 9:39.

Ted Rupe is director of the Peace Race while Jennifer Wohlgamuth is president. They are assisted by Steve Hixson of Second Sole.

Sponsors are Greenwood Hummer; television stations WFMJ/WBCB; WYSU 88.5 FM; TuDor Physical Therapy Centers; PSK Steel; mvi HomeCare; American Waste Management, Inc.; HBK; Release Coatings of NY; Marlboro MFG; Inc.; Key Bank; Star Imaging; Cafaro Corporation; Aerolite; James T. Kerrigan, M.D.; B&B Contractors & Developers, Inc.; Betras Harshman Attorneys; Cumulus Broadcasting; The Beverage House; Pegasus Printing Company; Mahoning Valley Fitness Center; Cleveland Clinic; Kravitz Bagels; Whitehouse Fruit Farm; Nemenz IGA; and Rachel’s in Austintown.

kovach@vindy.com