Runners and walkers began the 8th Annual Race for a Cure 5K event last Saturday morning.
The 8th Annual “Janine Kijowski Race for the Cure”, held last Saturday at VFW Post 4843 in Pattonville, was a gathering of family and friends. Those not in the race cheered runners and walkers as they ran the race as well as when they crossed the finish line.
According to the event’s coordinator, Marie Kijowski, money raised from Saturday’s event will sponsor two local recipients who are in need of financial support to continue treatment. They are Joe Hartman and Laurie Cochran Beabout.
Joe Palinski
The race began at the corner of Port and Spring Street, approximately two blocks from the VFW, circled through Manor Township, and ended at the entrance of the VFW.
Joe Palinski, 77, from Kittanning said he has run these type of races for 50 years.
“Joe Hartman and I started running together when they had 10Ks all the time. I told him today that I am running this for him,” Palinski said.
Larry Booher, 67, from Applewold said he likes to run for charity. In addition to losing his brother and sister to cancer, he said this race was meaningful because he is friends with Joe Hartman.
Robert St. Laurent
The first runner to finish the 5K was 33-year-old Robert St. Laurent from Manor Township, who ran the course in 22 minutes and 13 seconds.
“I do it to remember all my loved ones who died from cancer, and just being able to give back and help out others - hopefully fight it and find a cure,” he said.
Luke Dilick
The second runner to finish was 16-year-old Luke Dilick from Ford City.
“My family is really good friends with Joe (Hartman). It’s just a good cause,” Dilick said.
Andrew Kijowski
Janine’s son, 29-year-old Andrew Kijowski, ran the race in memory of his mother and to pay it forward for someone else.
“This is a huge event for our family. It’s a wonderful cause that they raise money for. I am so thankful to be a part of it,” Andrew shared at the end of the race.
Becky Sanders
Becky Sanders, 33, from Saxonburg was the first female to cross the finish line.
“I work at Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh as a nurse practitioner. So anything we can do to help raise money for these patients that are in need. I want them to get all the help they can.” Sanders said.
Barbara and Tim Szymanski
Not all participants were running. Barbara Szymanski, 71, from Ford City, was part of nearly 40 participants who “walked” rather than run. She said the race was meaningful for her and her husband, Tim, who walked with her.
“We have family members who have had cancer, so it has personal meaning to us,” Szymanski said.
The youngest participant was 10 years old and the oldest was Marie’s mother, Sue Kijowski, who is 80.
“My mother has dementia but has never missed a race. She was just awarded for being the oldest walker in Ford City’s 5K. She is the only one that has walked every race in Ford City,” Marie said.
Food was served following the race at noon and six bands played throughout the afternoon.