Runners start preparing for 36th Peace Race

Special to The Vindicator

YOUNGSTOWN

As the summer begins to wind down and fans prepare for another football season, some local runners are gearing up for another annual athletic event, the 36th annual Youngstown Peace Race.

The annual event offers an opportunity for runners of all levels to experience the enjoyment of running one of Youngstown’s largest running events amid the natural beauty of Mill Creek Park.

This year’s race will be Oct. 24 — about two weeks later than the past few years — and the event offers two main running distances: a 10-kilometer, or 6.2-mile course; and a 2-mile walk/run. Also new to this year’s race is a 100-meter free run for kids aged 10 and under.

The 10K course follows a point-to-point scenic course through Mill Creek Park, finishing at Federal Plaza downtown. The two-mile course begins at the YMCA on Champion Street.

Terry McCluskey, a Peace Race board member and Vienna resident, said the later date does not conflict with other area popular distance races, like the Towpath Marathon in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park or the Columbus Marathon, which are October 10 and October 17 respectively. The Peace Race can be a training race for people running in a November distance race, he said.

“It’s a nice springboard for a marathon the first week of November,” he said. “It’s a perfect time — a gorgeous time in the park.”

Ted Rupe, a Cortland resident and Peace Race board member, said the Peace Race has a deep-rooted history that attracts elite runners and spans nearly four decades.

“This goes back to when the running boom was started,” he said. “There are few races around that have this history, with this quality of runners and this quantity.”

The Peace Race was founded in 1975 in an effort to bring together athletes from around the world for a day of competition, friendship and understanding.

The initial race was a 25k (approximately 15.5-mile) run through Mill Creek Park, and the 10k was added in 1979. The 25k was eliminated in 1989.

Rupe said the race has also enjoyed steady participant growth over the years. In early years, it wasn’t uncommon to have a few hundred runners participating. In 2008, there were nearly 1,100 runners for both races and in 2009 there were nearly 1,200.

Jen Wohlgamuth, Peace Race board president, said she attributes the increase to a growing general public interest in health and fitness. Many runners are finding support and camaraderie running in a group or running in memory of a friend or relative.

“Runners come in all shapes and sizes and all ages,” said Jennifer Zocolo, Peace Race board vice president. “We’re seeing more family units. For example, parents with kids who run are also often inspired to run.

“It’s a fun family event that draws people together.”

Race proceeds benefit area charities, including the Rich Center for Autism and the YMCA’s children’s programs and the Mindy Henning Scholarship Foundation.

For details or to register, visit www.peacerace.net.