Local couple planning for Youngstown Marathon

By Bruce Walton

bwalton@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

For the first time, there may be an official marathon set in downtown Youngstown thanks to a McDonald couple.

Dan and Tammy Camuso, owners of Vertical Runner store in McDonald, have been working with community officials and companies to make sure that this event can become a reality.

Although there have been races downtown such as the Youngstown Peace Race and the Panerathon, this one will have a length of 26.2 miles, the official length of a marathon.

In the past, the Camusos have organized and raised money through the proceeds of smaller races, but now envision a much larger, ambitious new community event for summer 2017. They hope to donate to a children’s charity.

“We’re merely creating a vehicle to raise money to give to the people who need it,” Dan said. “And in the meantime, people that love running are running.”

So far, the couple has received sponsorships and donations of supplies from mostly local companies such as Gasearch, IM Image Marketing, Center for Physical Therapy and Speed Sport, to make the marathon happen. Though they’ve gotten some sponsors, Dan hopes to find more volunteers and, most importantly, a primary presenting sponsorship, in the near future.

The marathon would take place June 4, 2017, starting on Wick Avenue, go through Mill Creek Park, back to downtown then into Crandall Park. From there, the runners would travel down Fifth Avenue and finish in Stambaugh Stadium at Youngstown State University.

To Dan and Tammy, the timing seems right for a marathon in Youngstown, which has experienced a revitalization through recent economic and urban development.

“I would imagine at this point, with the positive atmosphere of downtown, a positive atmosphere at Mill Creek Park and athletic events through the park, are still very popular, that getting sponsors would not be that difficult for them as long as they have an organized plan to put something together,” Mayor John A. McNally said.

The mayor said this will be a great addition to Youngstown for summer events and looks forward to the campaign for more sponsors and volunteers.

Dan expects the marathon to attract national attention, bringing people in from states across the country to the Youngstown area. He and his wife often have traveled to other cities to run marathons, and he wants that same benefit of tourism for Youngstown.

“We’ve been going to every other town spending our money there,” he said. “Well, it’s time for people to come spend their money here.”

For more details or to register for the marathon, visit youngstownmarathon.com. Sponsors and volunteers can contact Dan at dan@youngstownmarathon.com.