43
Paczki Dash 5K benefits kids’ programs at local libraries
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
POLAND
Runners of all ages ran through Poland Forest on Saturday for a good cause.
Polish Youngstown and Vertical Runner teamed up for the first Paczki Dash 5K to benefit the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County.
Nearly 130 people participated in the event Saturday. Vertical Runner is a running specialty store in McDonald, which also organizes runs.
The funds will benefit children’s programs, said library Development Director Deborah Liptak.
“The Paczki Dash is to celebrate the end of Carnival and the beginning of Lent,” said Aundrea Cika, Polish Youngstown director.
Carnival is a Christian celebration preceding Lent, a period of penance and preparation leading up to Easter, the pinnacle of Christian holy days.
The run “is a perfect addition because our idea is you go running, then you go eat paczek donuts and don’t feel guilty,” Cika said.
Paczek donuts are made with yeast dough. Vodka is added to the oil , which prevents the dough from absorbing the oil. They are larger than traditional donuts.
Kravitz Delicatessen donated paczek doughnuts for every runner after the race.
Friends Kelly Cage of McDonald, Erin Burns of Hubbard and Amanda Wisneski of Warren participated in the event.
“I prefer trail running over road running, and this is a nice little trail to run and it’s beautiful out,” Cage said.
It was the first trail race for Wisneski.
“I just like to run,” she said. She takes any opportunity to run that she can. “And I’m Polish,” she added.
The three agreed trail running is harder than running on roads. “Trail running is one of my favorite things to do,” Burns said. “Kelly and
I are actually in the middle of training for our first ultra-marathon [a marathon over 26.2 miles] on a trail.”
Burns finished first in the 26 to 30 age group, with a time of 27:50:2.
“It was a nice trail run,” she said. “A lot of beautiful trails, nice course, nice company, nice competition.”
She was happy with her performance. She averaged an 8:57 pace per mile.
“So that’s pretty good for me,” she said.
Fifteen-year-old Vincent Mauri of Howland finished first with a time of
18:15:9. An avid runner, Mauri is in training for this year’s track and cross country season.
He participated “to see where I was in my training,” he said.
Courtney Kunkel of McDonald was the first woman to finish, with a time of 21:52:2.