43
Walk/run set to honor Cardinal Mooney alumnus Caitlin Yager
Photo
Matt Yager, left, Greg Delost and Mike Delost are directors for the Run for Caitlin 8K and 3K run/walk set for Saturday. The fundraiser run honors Yager’s sister Caitlin who was killed in a car accident last December.
By Greg Gulas
CANFIELD
The inaugural “Run for Caitlin” 8K and 3K fun walk/run will take place on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. at Canfield High School.
The fundraiser will honor the memory of Caitlin Yager, a former Cardinal Mooney High School and Marietta College athlete who was killed in an automobile accident on Dec. 26.
The race is coordinated and presented in conjunction with Run for Caitlin Inc., a nonprofit corporation with Boardman Second Sole and Newton Running serving as event sponsors. Proceeds are earmarked for academic scholarships for students attending Cardinal Mooney.
Event coordinators include brothers Mike and Greg Delost, lifelong friends of Caitlin and Caitlin’s brother, Matt.
They plan to create a fitting celebration of Caitlin’s life while helping others, which was her mantra.
“Caitlin was studying diverse cultures and religions in order to help better understand our world,” Mike Delost said. “It was her desire to improve our world and to help everyone she met along the way.”
Delost said Caitlin had plans to attend law school and was to have studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia.
“She always loved learning and gaining an appreciation about other cultures and had a great interest in learning more about Russian culture,” Delost said.
He added that Caitlin was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority while at Marietta and volunteered for worthwhile causes.
Greg Delost recalled Caitlin as an excellent baker and someone who left an impression on everyone with whom she came in contact.
“In addition to being an avid runner and baker, which our logo prominently displays, she made great chocolate chip cookies,” he said. “Because of her passion for baking, we are also going to include copies of her cookbook for the age group awards upon completion of the race.”
Battlefrog Race Series, which benefits the Navy Seals Foundation, will take part while Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-District 33) will serve as a sponsor and participant, pushing son, Louie, 22 months, in a stroller as he takes part in its 3K event.
“It was just an incredibly sad story,” Schiavoni said of Caitlin’s tragic accident. “I am just honored to take part.
“Caitlin was an excellent student and it’s just so great to be able to highlight the many great things that she did during her short life,” Schiavoni said.
The race will begin 9 a.m., starting and finishing at the high school, which is located at 100 Cardinal Drive. The 3K fun run/walk will commence first; the 8K will take place moments later with chip timing supplied for the 8K by Second Sole.
Awards will be given to the overall male and female 8K winners as well as winners in all age groups.
Male and female 8K winners will a receive Redfox wireless headphones.
A basket raffle is planned with race registration forms and sponsor forms downloaded at www.runforcaitlin.org.
Entrance fee for the 8K is $25. The 3K costs $15. A team of five-to-seven runners may enter the 8K for $20 each.
Fees include a dri-fit, gender specific NIKE brand running shirt, chances at gift baskets, age group awards, refreshments and tickets to an auction.
Runners will receive a drawstring race bag, which will include a multitude of theme-oriented gifts and a 6” X 4” oval “Run for Caitlin” bumper sticker.
Matt Yager said his parents, Richard and Carol “remain pleased to be able to play such an important role in the lives of young people.”
With nearly 300 registrations and volunteers on board, the committee’s goal to attract 300 to 500 runners to the inaugural event is attainable, Matt Yager said.
Packet pick-up is available at Second Sole with sign-ups taking place the day of the event beginning at 6 a.m.
Further information may be obtained by calling 330-720-4259 (Greg Delost); 330-881-7797 (Mike Delost); or 330-718-3903 (Matt Yager).