Roadrunners’ races are today

BOARDMAN — Runners of all ages will be in the area spotlight today when the Youngstown Roadrunners Club and Second Sole present the 33rd annual Preseason Cross Country Classic at the Boardman High Cross Country Course.

All area high school, middle school and elementary boys and girls plus open adults are invited to compete in the Classic, which is held to get runners prepared for their cross country seasons and help the Roadrunners and Second Sole raise funds for worthwhile projects.

The high school and open runners will compete over a 5,000-meter course while the middle school entries run 3,000 meters. Younger children will run over a short course.

Registration begins at 4 p.m. The children’s run starts at 5 while the middle school boys and girls races begin at 5:15 at 5:40, respectively. The high school boys take off at 6:05 and the girls at 6:40, followed by the open run at 7:15.

Registration fee is $2 for high school and middle schools runners and is paid at registration. Children run free of charge.

Dan Shields, the Roadrunners’ past president, expects the usual big crowd for the race.

“We usually have between 400-600 runners turn out. It is a pretty good-sized event. We also have a free children’s run for sixth graders and under,” said Shields, noting that the biggest turnout ever was 715 runners in 2004, according to Roadrunners’ 2009 Hall of Fame selection Guy Pizzaferato.

Shields said Pizzaferrato also told him that the first preseason race was held in 1977 at the Wick Recreation Area in Mill Creek Park. The location of the race was moved in 1989 to the Boardman High School Cross Country Course.

Awards are a key part of the Classic and the top runners will receive prizes.

The top 25 finishers in the high school event, the top 15 in the middle school run and the top 15 in the adult open race will receive awards while all children will receive a trophy.

Shields said that runners are not allowed to wear uniforms and that competition will be only on an individual basis and not team, according to Ohio High School Athletic Association rules.

“This Classic gives runners an opportunity to run on the regional cross-country course for their first [run] this year, and to compete on an individual level other than teams,” said Shields, who also serves as the YRRC’s public relations officer and webmaster and as a certified coach.

Shields said the Roadrunners use the funds they raise from the Classic to provide running shoes for needy Suburban League school runners, and to fund a scholarship for a Youngstown State cross country team member which is presented each fall.

“The funds are used to support programs,” Shields said. “We provide free shoes to high school runners who can’t afford them. We share in the expense with Second Sole.”

He said that needy runners from the 42 schools in the Suburban Conference, preferably recommended by school officials, will receive a gift certificate to help buy running shoes from Second Sole.

kovach@vindy.com