Montour Trail-Letter

Volume 12, Issue 2

March/April, 2001

The longer and colder the winter, the more we look forward to Spring - right? And what better way to usher in warm weather than an outstanding fundraising 10K race to benefit the Montour Trail! Sunday, April 22, 2001, is the date and that's just around the corner. Cash prizes, food, beverages and lively music will make this a really popular event for serious athletes AND families. Runners report to Cecil Park on Rte 50 in Cecil, PA and the race will be run on the Montour Trail next to it. (See flyer.)

The race will be timed and is a great tune-up to the Pittsburgh Marathon just two weeks later. Cash prizes totaling $350 will go to men and women lead finishers and everyone gets a nice race packet, including racing shorts. The 10K begins at 10 AM and 15 minutes later, families can enjoy a 1 mile walk on an adjacent part of the trail. A special challenge to our runners will be the National Tunnel, some 600 feet long. Its curved passage will be lighted and sure to be one of the most memorable features of the event.

Entry fees for the Run are a modest $20 for adults, & $13 for those 12 & under; for the Family Walk, $13 for adults and free for those 12 & under if paid after April 6. Early applicants (postmarked by April 6) pay just $18 and $10 respectively. More applications are available by calling (412) 278-3653. Or you can register on line at http://www.Active.com.

We also need volunteer workers to facilitate the event, and of course, sponsor donations of funds and "in-kind" services are needed to make it a success. Call the same (412) 278-3653 to offer your help or donations.

Our hosts will be Burgh's Pizza and Wing Pub, a popular restaurant owned by Dan, Frank and Tom Daily in Bridgeville. Walk in their pub and you sense their flair for organized activity - and good food. Luncheon buffets and highlighted promotional events draw crowds, singles and families alike. Try to find a parking place on an evening!

Our race, to be called "Burgh's Pizza & Wing Pub 10K Run for Family, Friends and Fun", seemed a "natural" right from the beginning. Your reporter is a "regular" at the restaurant, and one day noticed Tom Daily motoring by at a fast jog for his morning workout. The thought occurs - let's introduce Tom to the Trail, just four miles away. Next, we escort him on a 12 mile bike tour of the Trail and Cecil Park, Tom sees "the light" and the race idea is born.

"This Trail is great and we need to have a fundraiser to get it built," is an approximate quote from Tom, who quickly involved his brothers, Frank and Dan. The winner will probably finish his/her run in 40 minutes or less, but it takes hours of meetings and months of organization to make the event happen. Here, we're most fortunate- a strong committee aiding the Dailys include: Bill Woodrum, Tim McGinley, Amy Riechman, Barb Russman with Trail advisors Dennis Pfeiffer, Jesse Forquer, and John Hooton on hand in support. Karen and Jim Robbins will aid in enrolling participants. It isn't often that a new moneymaking idea comes to the Trail with a built-in organizing committee! Let's not forget our friends in Cecil Township. Frank Ludwin, of Parks and Recreation, his board and Police Chief Pushak are generous in their support.

The way this event is coming together from Burgh's customers, the committee and Trail support generally, Burgh's Fun Run has all the earmarks of a strong annual event!

Make it work!