Exeter Community Library welcomed 60 5K runners and 20 fun runners, ages 9 to 82, to its Book It! 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run at the library’s StoryWalk trail on Saturday, June 24. A trophy was presented to overall male and female champions Dave Hitesman of Exeter with a time of 18:02 and Lauren Ferguson with a time of 19:30.
“The Exeter Community Library has never hosted a 5k and 1 mile fun run before, so we thought it would be a fun fundraiser for the library,” said Theresa G. Mowad, vice president of the Exeter Community Library Board of Trustees.
Their goal was to raise $1,000.
“Additionally, having the run path begin at the Exeter Community Library allows for members of our community to learn about the StoryWalk and take advantage of the beautiful scenic pathway,” Mowad said.
The Library’s StoryWalk installation opened in May 2021 and is a great way for families to read together. As walkers stroll along the StoryWalk path they are able to stop and read pages of a book.
All fun runners received a participation ribbon.
Caleb, Anna and Lily Homm participated in the 1 mile Fun Run along the StoryWalk trail.
“We ran the whole way,” said Caleb, 10, who finished the Fun Run first. “Next year I’m going to do the big run.”
Caleb was followed by his 8-year-old sister, Anna. His sister Lily, 6, came in fourth.
Participants were encouraged to dress in costume.
“We wanted to connect the 5K and 1 mile fun run to the library and books so having the option to dress up as their favorite book character or in literary gear provided that special and fun connection,” Mowad said.
Robert Jones of Exeter won Best Costume for his attire inspired by “The Indian in the Cupboard” by Lynne Reid Banks, which was his wife’s idea.
Wearing matching bright orange T-shirts, blind runner Donna Weinsteiger of Norristown and her sister Janet Blume of Douglassville as her guide ran in the 5K race. The two run holding a Figure 8 Rope Tug Dog Toy between them. Blume gives the rope a little tug to help direct her sister. Their first race was in 2021. They only run in good weather.
“We just do this for fun,” Blume said. “We stay away from trail runs and we walk (instead of run) when there is any obstacle.”
Rose Hagy, 76, of Reading, came in first place in the 70 plus group with a time of 20:29
“A lot of the older community came out,” Hagy said. “It’s great support for older runners. There was a time when older runners had to fight for an older age group so they don’t have to compete with the 60-year-olds. Most races now have a 70 and 75 age group. Sometimes they even have an 80 plus group.”
One of the youngest runners, 9-year-old Brendan McGarry III, ran with his father, Brendan McGarry Jr. This was their second race in this area. The younger Brendan ran his first race at age 2.
Josh Stone, 3, ran a portion of the 5K race with his mom, Emma Stone, a race sponsor of Black Sheep Nutrition, as she was pushing the stoller carrying his 1-year-old sister, Reagan. He was set to do the 1 mile fun run but then decided he wanted to run with his dad, Ryan Stone who took first place in the Male, 30 – 39 years category.
Tabyn Reese, 11, trained for the Book It! 5K Run with the Twin Valley Running Club. His goal was to finish the race in under 30 minutes. He had a time of exactly 30 minutes in his last race, the Mind Your Health 5k Run. Reese finished the race in 28:59.
“It’s his best time so far,” Reese’s mom said. “He hit his goal.”
The Book It! 5K was 12-year-old Zachary Druzba’s first race. He came in first place in the boy’s 14 and under category.
“To get ready for this run, I just ran up and down my street,” Druzba said.
His parents, Chris and Brian Druzba, said their son is pretty fit and athletic. He participates in wrestling, basketball and baseball. His grandmother Sharon Boyer came out to cheer him on.
“The only way I run is if someone is chasing me,” Boyer said.
Medals were presented to the top three male and three female finishers in each of the following age brackets: 14 and under, 15 – 19 years, 20 – 29 years, 30 – 39 years, 40 – 49 years, 50 – 59 years, 60 – 69 years, and 70+ years. Race Results will be posted to the Pretzel City Sports website: https://www.pretzelcitysports.com/.
Source: Berkshire mont
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