Runners Go the Distance to Raise $20,000 for Local American Red Cross
News Release: July 21, 2002
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs (610) 865-4400, ext. 262



Six hundred and sixteen runners - ages 14 to 70 - took great strides today (7/21) to help raise $20,000 to benefit the programs and services of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

One hundred twenty-seven relay teams and 39 iron division runners from eight states took part in the 12th Annual Red Cross Lehigh River Relay Run that began at 6:45 a.m. at Canal Park in Allentown, threaded through Bethlehem, and ended in Easton's Riverside Park. Leg distances varied from 3.38 miles to 5 miles. Iron division participants ran the entire 23 miles.

"When disaster like fires or floods strike, revenue from events like this helps provide families with immediate emergency needs," said John Hughes, executive director of the local Red Cross. "For one moment, just imagine if 23 families -- each a family of four -- suddenly lost their home tomorrow because of a fire. The generous donations received from this event would provide the following Red Cross assistance for each family: three-days' lodging at a local hotel, new clothing and new shoes for each family member, three full meals a day for each person and basic toiletry articles. Of course, that doesn't count the emotional support and continued assistance by Red Cross during their recovery process.

"Revenue from fund-raising events also supports community-based health and education programs such as scholarships for learn-to-swim programs; Lifeline, a personal emergency response system for older adults and the physically challenged; HIV/AIDS community education programs and more."

Over 100 Red Cross volunteers were on the course helping with setup, handing out water and sports drink to runners, providing direction, timing and recording, assisting with first-aid if needed, and tallying the results.

Entry fee for the race was based on a pledge format, allowing participants to solicit support from friends, neighbors and co-workers. The team of "WOW-E + 3" raised the most money -- $1,105; individually, David Myers of Bethlehem raised the most money -- $1,000.

Overall relay team winner: Ship Red: 1:57; overall iron division winner: John Guth: 2:39.

Women’s Open (any age)

Men’s Open (any age)

1. Finish Line Hotties 2:22

2. Trailblazers 2:42

3. Estrogen 3:43

1. Ship Red 1:57 (overall team relay winner)

2. Finish Line Spoony Love and the Budonkadonks 2:01

3. L.I.C. 2:08

Mixed Open (any age)

Corporate Women’s Open (any age)

1. Team Vark 2:14

2. 3 Old Ladies, a Geezer and a Young'n 2:25

3. Finish Line Team Bootleggers 2:34

1. The Hungry Hounds 2:44

2. Agere Team E 3:29

Corporate Men’s Open (any age)

Corporate Mixed (any age)

1. Finish Line Skippy & the Schmedwigs 2:17

2. Agere Team A 2:36

3. International Drug Runners 2:38

1. Good Shepherd Sheep Dogs 2:38

2. Kasper's With a K 2:40

3. Max Assist x 5 2:45

Women’s Sub-Masters (min. age 30)

Men’s Sub-Masters (min. age 30)

1. Lunatic Fringe 3:01

2. Team Smarter 3:04

3. The Healthcare Harriers 3:08

1. Running With Reckless Abandon 2:21

2. Two Chicks Short of Mixed 2:29

3. Has Been Track Club 2:38

Mixed Sub-Masters (min. age 30)

Women’s Masters (min. age 40)

1. Running Scared 2:52

2. No Name 2:58

3. Running for Bobby Z 3:06

1. The Gracies 3:09

Men’s Masters (min. age 40)

Mixed Masters (min. age 40)

1. Finish Line Rusty Wheels 2:19

2. Susquehanna Ridge Runners 2:26:09

3. Lock House Harriers 2:26:13

1. Chevy 21's 2:27

2. Aardvark Masters 2:28

3. Finish Line Mixed Nuts 2:50

Women’s Grand Masters (min. age 50)

Men’s Grand Masters (min. age 50)

1. Hot Flashers 3:15

2. Racey Ladies 3:33

1. Lake Galena Striders 2:28

2. Pottstown Pacers 2:57

Race Sponsor

Family

1. Firedogs 2:37

2. 2 Sparks & 3 Blown Fuses 2:39

3. Run T.M.C. 3:06

1. Ripper's Pub 2:52

2. Trout Creek Polar Bears 3:08

3. Rainman 3:15

High School Boys' Team (Class of '02 or younger)

High School Mixed Team (Class of '02 or younger)

1. Hong Kong Danger Duo 2:26

2. Northern Lehigh X-C 2:37

1. The Late Comers 2:40

Iron Division – Male

Iron Division – Female

1. John Guth 2:39:48 (overall iron division winner)

2. Creighton Faust 2:40:31

3. Joel Kise 2:49

1. Valerie Bauer 3:08

2. Leslie Baga 3:36

3. Jodi Beth Frikkers 3:39

Iron Divison Masters – Male

Iron Division Masters – Female

1. John Dobrowski 2:47

2. Harry Hutchison 3:03

3. Frank Rogalewicz 3:04

1. Molly Mitke 2:56

2. Debra Azemar 3:47

3. Cynthia Kreider 3:56


Most Creative Team Name: Merck: International Drug Runners

Best Dressed Team: Gardner Quackers

Next year's race will be held on Sunday, July 20.

The Morning Call was the premier race sponsor. Other sponsors included: Advanced Chiropractic Life Center; The Express-Times; Global Environmental Technologies Inc.;Keystone Savings Bank; Lehigh Cement; Lehigh Valley Road Runners; PPL Corporation; Coca-Cola; Mrs. T's Pierogies; Kraft; Runner's World; WDIY Radio; Accenture; Erie Insurance Group; Giant Food Stores; Klunk & Millan Advertising; and Penske Truck Rentals.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 15,700 Lehigh Valley residents.

For more information about your local Red Cross, visit www.redcrosslv.org.