Annual Armstrong Habitat for Humanity 5K Race Set for Saturday
More than 80 runners participated in last year’s ‘Raise the Roof 5K’ to benefit the Armstrong Habitat for Humanity. The race will continue this Saturday. (submitted photo)
by Jonathan Weaver
A few blocks from the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival, up to 100 people are expected to run to benefit the local Habitat for Humanity chapter Saturday in the Raise the Roof 5K.
This is the fifth annual race, according to Armstrong Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Mike McElhaney, starting at the Richard G. Snyder YMCA with most of the course along the Armstrong Rails to Trails.
“It’s pretty popular – we usually have about 80 runners,” McElhaney said. “It’s a fun day.”
McElhaney also ran last year.
Along with the $20 entry fee, runners that receive so much money in donations as well receive a quarter-zip pullover.
The top 3 fundraisers will be given gift cards for their outstanding support. In addition, participants’ names will be drawn at random to receive door prizes donated by local businesses.
McElhaney said this year’s 5K, which begins at 8AM, will specifically raise money for local home projects.
“This is raising money to repair roofs and rehab houses in Wick City,” McElhaney said. “We have two rehab projects in process and we have about five houses that we call Brush with Kindness where we are fixing the porch or painting, handicap ramps – for people who own houses but need help fixing them up.”
Some projects are currently underway Fridays and Saturdays as well, with one house about to be complete in the fall and given over to a homeowner.
Indiana, Pa. Resident Scott Bowman plays basketball with McElhaney at the YMCA three times per week and is going to run in the race as well as sponsor the race through his business, Bowman’s Coin Collectors.
He and wife, Aileen are frequent 5K or marathon runners – even qualifying for the annual Boston Marathon – and have run about 30 total between the two of them.
Scott was a 2013 Boston Marathon survivor, and was about 22 feet from the explosion on Boylston Street that killed three racers and injured 264 others, suffering some hearing loss in his right ear.
“It was a lot of chaos – I saw a lot of gruesome things that day. It was something I won’t forget for sure,” Bowman said. “You can’t let people like that dominate or rule and make you scared to run again so we’ve done a lot of races since then.
“Running the 5K in Kittanning is fun, and it’s good to sponsor Habitat for Humanity in Armstrong County – good exercise too.”
Bowman, part of the Indiana RoadRunners club and a professor land surveyor, usually aims to run a 5K in about 24 minutes. He finished in 23 minutes, 29 seconds last year.
Additional runners are able to sign-up on race morning to participate.
The race also ends at the Richard G. Snyder YMCA along North Water Street in Kittanning.
Local News | jweaver July 30, 2015
