Racers overrun the trail for the Fall Trail Run
Around here, the shifting of the seasons brings about more than changing leaves and cooler weather. On Saturday, Sept. 17, runners will be pounding the pavement in friendly competition in the Joel Pomerene Foundation annual Fall Trail Run on the Holmes County Trail.
Participants will have the opportunity to compete in races of varying distances, including the 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and the two-mile fun walk. The events begin at the Rails to Trails Depot, located at Clinton and Grant streets in Millersburg, with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m.
The proceeds from the Fall Trail Run help the Joel Pomerene Foundation fulfill the needs of residents of Holmes and surrounding counties. The foundation, which was established in 1995, is responsible for the fundraising efforts of Pomerene Hospital.
“[The Trail Run] is a fundraiser for the foundation,” said Sandy Weltmer, event organizer. “We use it for the high school health care scholarships that we do every year.”
These $1,000 scholarships are awarded to four graduating seniors at area high schools to assist them in entering health-related fields of study. The money also pays for any necessary unbudgeted medical equipment for the hospital.
Since its inception 13 years ago, the run has continued to grow. After attracting less than 30 runners in its first year, the run has expanded to a total of 100 runners last year with hopes for even more this year.
The most popular race is the 5K, in which contestants run for 3.1 miles on the scenic trail. However, another race is quickly gaining in standing. This will be the second year for the half marathon, and Weltmer expects that the 13.1-mile race will double in participants this year.
The half marathon was introduced in order to grow the event and to provide a more challenging run for serious competitors. “We had found out that there are a lot of people in the area who train and run half marathons in the bigger cities,” said Christine Court, event organizer. “[Our run] falls about a month or so before the Columbus half marathon so it actually acts like a training for them.”
Runners in the half marathon will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and the winning male and female racers will receive a first-place prize. All runners who finish in less than four hours will be awarded medals.
Other prizes, including gift cards donated by local businesses, will go to the winners of the different age groups who compete in the 5K and 10K. Fruit and water will be provided for all participants after each race.
According to Weltmer, this run is different from others because of its location in a rural setting. Instead of traversing busy roads in populated areas, competitors can run on the secluded path of the Holmes County Trail. The seasonal scenery on the trail, coupled with the flat and paved running surface, sets this run apart from other competitions.
“It’s a great time to be outside,” said Court. “The trail is beautiful all the time, but especially this time of year. I think that’s what makes it so popular.”
The Fall Trail Run not only helps the hospital raise money for scholarships, equipment and other necessities, it also has the dual purpose of keeping Holmes County residents healthy and fit.
“I think it started out as a fundraiser, which it still is, but everybody is becoming more health conscious,” said Court. “It gets people out and gets them moving.”
For more information or to register, contact Christine Court at 330-674-1584 (ext. 1264) or Sandy Weltmer (ext. 1222) or go to http://www.pomerenefoundation.org/.
Participants will have the opportunity to compete in races of varying distances, including the 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles) and the two-mile fun walk. The events begin at the Rails to Trails Depot, located at Clinton and Grant streets in Millersburg, with registration beginning at 6:30 a.m.
The proceeds from the Fall Trail Run help the Joel Pomerene Foundation fulfill the needs of residents of Holmes and surrounding counties. The foundation, which was established in 1995, is responsible for the fundraising efforts of Pomerene Hospital.
“[The Trail Run] is a fundraiser for the foundation,” said Sandy Weltmer, event organizer. “We use it for the high school health care scholarships that we do every year.”
These $1,000 scholarships are awarded to four graduating seniors at area high schools to assist them in entering health-related fields of study. The money also pays for any necessary unbudgeted medical equipment for the hospital.
Since its inception 13 years ago, the run has continued to grow. After attracting less than 30 runners in its first year, the run has expanded to a total of 100 runners last year with hopes for even more this year.
The most popular race is the 5K, in which contestants run for 3.1 miles on the scenic trail. However, another race is quickly gaining in standing. This will be the second year for the half marathon, and Weltmer expects that the 13.1-mile race will double in participants this year.
The half marathon was introduced in order to grow the event and to provide a more challenging run for serious competitors. “We had found out that there are a lot of people in the area who train and run half marathons in the bigger cities,” said Christine Court, event organizer. “[Our run] falls about a month or so before the Columbus half marathon so it actually acts like a training for them.”
Runners in the half marathon will receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and the winning male and female racers will receive a first-place prize. All runners who finish in less than four hours will be awarded medals.
Other prizes, including gift cards donated by local businesses, will go to the winners of the different age groups who compete in the 5K and 10K. Fruit and water will be provided for all participants after each race.
According to Weltmer, this run is different from others because of its location in a rural setting. Instead of traversing busy roads in populated areas, competitors can run on the secluded path of the Holmes County Trail. The seasonal scenery on the trail, coupled with the flat and paved running surface, sets this run apart from other competitions.
“It’s a great time to be outside,” said Court. “The trail is beautiful all the time, but especially this time of year. I think that’s what makes it so popular.”
The Fall Trail Run not only helps the hospital raise money for scholarships, equipment and other necessities, it also has the dual purpose of keeping Holmes County residents healthy and fit.
“I think it started out as a fundraiser, which it still is, but everybody is becoming more health conscious,” said Court. “It gets people out and gets them moving.”
For more information or to register, contact Christine Court at 330-674-1584 (ext. 1264) or Sandy Weltmer (ext. 1222) or go to http://www.pomerenefoundation.org/.
Published: September 11, 2011
