Ford City Pride Developed Annual Duathlon

 

by Jonathan Weaver

Alyssa Young was only part of the nonprofit Ford City Renaissance Community Partnership for a few months, but one of her legacies continues next weekend.

Young, 27, organized the first Heart & Sole 5K Run/5K Bike Sept. 1, 2012 as part of the nonprofit’s “Good Old Fashioned Ford City Festival” weekend and that race – though modified- continues five years later

Saturday, Aug. 27.

“I take pride in my community, and I wanted others to feel the same pride that I have,” Young said. “I know that (Renaissance Community Partnership leaders Paul and Barbara Klukan) feel the same way that I do, and others in the committee felt the same.

“We just wanted to bring the pride back to Ford City.”

After Young moved from her hometown shortly after the race due to work, Barbara Klukan took over as race director – a post she has held for four years.

Klukan – who previously organized three triathlons for Armstrong Habitat for Humanity at Crooked Creek – added that Partnership leaders wanted to utilize the Armstrong Trail as much as possible.

Organizers recognized that the then-Ford City Hertiage Days always held a 5K at the beginning of July (which Armstrong Riverhawks Football Boosters still coordinate) and other surrounding locales did as well, so they wanted something different.

“It’s more for the people – we want to engage them. We want to bring people in from out of town here to our area and welcome them here,” Klukan said. “And we want them to keep coming back – perhaps future residencies, maybe they’ll see something they like (and) bring a business into town.”

Last week, Klukan identified that participants this year will hail from more than a dozen regional neighborhoods outside of central Armstrong County – including those in Indiana County (Rochester Mills and Indiana), Allegheny County (Bethel Park, Robinson and Wexford) and Cambria County (Ebensburg and Patton).

But, even that didn’t surprise her most.
“What I’m surprised at is, on Active.com we have an equal number of females as males registered – which normally, you think the males are the more-active in something like this, but the girls are coming right up there,” Klukan said. “I’m kind-of excited to see that.”

Klukan’s goal comes true annually with participation from people like Jim Elsenheimer.

Elsenheimer, 53 of Wexford, is looking forward to the duathlon as a race to nearly close out his 30th racing season – which is also his favorite kind of race due to the combination of running and cycling. Next week’s event is Elsenheimer’s only annual trip to Ford City.

“I’ve been running, triathlons and duathlons for about 30 years,” Elsenheimer said. “I average 15-20 races per year probably for 30 years, so it’s been a lot of races. I race about twice per month – some months it’s back-to-back and others I’ve got time in-between when I’m doing specific training.

“As the season goes on, you get more race experience, you get better, but I also try to focus on the next race – if it’s a hillier race, I’ll work on hills more. If it’s a flat race, I’ll work on flat terrain/speed more. For the Ford City race, it’s fun for me because it’s a totally flat course, so I get to go really fast.”

Elsenheimer, who has competed in the Boston Marathon, a half Ironman triathlon and duathlon national championships, said he likes to “tour” the area through different races annually – which is how he got introduced to Ford City. His new race this year was a few weeks ago in McKeesport.

While on the race path, Elsenheimer said he tries to encourage other racers while also making local connections or rivalries.

A half-dozen of Elsenheimer’s races annually are multi-sport races. He has gone through about 60 pairs of running shoes and five-or-six bicycles.

“It’s fun to try and keep up with the technology of the bikes and to be able to utilize it. It’s one thing to have a bike that’s supposedly-fast, but it’s really the rider who makes it fast – the technology makes it lighter,” Elsenheimer said. “It’s fun to have enough ability to get more out of the bike than somebody who’s not as fit or as fast.”

A pair of running shoes last Elsenheimer – who said he hit his peak speed in his late-30’s - about 300-400 miles.

Also lined up at the corner of 10th Street and 3rd Avenue August 24 will be first-time racer Maria Catone, of North Huntingdon – who will celebrate her 20th birthday in Ford City.

“I like to run and bike, but I don’t know how to swim very well. So, I was looking for local duathlons and I found this one,” Catone said. “It wasn’t too far out of the way, so I signed up for it and now I’m really looking forward to it.”

Even more of an accomplishment is that Catone – who ran cross country before graduating from Norwin High School - overcame back-to-back ACL surgeries and wasn’t able to run until this past-June.

“It’s been a long journey,” Catone said. “I was only allowed to do a little bit at a time – my physical therapist would text me to just go at a slow pace, only start at a mile; to build up each week. Now, I’m up to four miles – trying to work on speed.”

Catone was able to build strength on a stationary bike and an indoor trainer machine where she could use her own cycle. Her Forbes Regional surgeon signed off on her running next weekend.

Regardless of her final time, Catone will celebrate her birthday through breakfast with her parents after the race and through a special dinner with her boyfriend, Christian, that evening.

Kristen Jones, 25 of Leechburg, also found the duathlon through an Internet search. This will be her second year in the Ford City event and might be her last event of the season.

“(Heart and Sole) is really a well-organized, fun race,” Jones said.

Jones, a North Hills graduate, has not competed in any duathlons since last year, but also competed in a sprint and triathlon. She will prepare through cardio and weight training at the gym and roadside running.

“My ultimate preference is to run in our area with my dog (Jake, a six-year-old German shepherd). He’s my perfect running partner,” Jones said. “I try to run with him as much as I can.”

Jones’ husband, Matt, and two-year-old daughter, Aubree, will act as her “cheering team” next weekend.

“My main goal is just to cross the finish line regardless of the time, the place. Whatever it takes,” Jones said. “I do try to set goals in my mind more-or-less to beat this time or accomplish it in a time better than the year before, but I try not to be too hard on myself in case something doesn’t go right.”

Jones placed third in her age group at the Butler triathlon at Moraine State Park in July and also competed in Indiana in June.

Klukan said a team of emergency responders from Ford City and Manor Township – such as police, firefighters and medical personnel – best showcase her “prime focus” during the race.

“We have to have a big team because safety’s my priority,” Klukan said. “If something unforeseen happens, we have to be able to react quickly. We have to have enough people on that course that can get to the right people that we can take care of that participant if someone’s injured – which we’ve not had that happen as of yet and I pray that we never do.”

Organizers will even mark potholes to warn runners and bicyclists.

Armstrong Wireless Association will provide two-way radios to enable critical response.

Though she hasn’t raced herself, Klukan said she often feels “inspired” by participants.

“My heart’s with them the whole way along that race course,” Klukan said.

Awards will be given to the top three teams, top three male finishers, top three female finishers and top three finishers in more than a dozen age groups for both the duathlon and the 5K. Miles of Smiles Timing Service, of Ellwood City, will chip-time the event.

Donations of bottled water, sports drinks or fresh fruit will still be accepted or volunteers at refreshment tables, distributing awards or overall registration.

Klukan even is brainstorming future events.

Next Saturday’s opening ceremonies begin at 7:30AM before an 8AM start.

“Heart and Sole” will benefit ongoing Renaissance projects – such as the annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas celebration and Ford City Choo-Choo restoration.

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