Runners Race to Raise Funds for the American Red Cross
News Release: July 17, 2005
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Family and running are at the top of Tony Karwacki’s list. Every year, for the past 15 years, the Bethlehem resident has been tying his running shoes and leading a team of Karwackis in the American Red Cross Lehigh River Relay Run.
Running is in the Karwacki family blood. The race’s unique relay team category is the perfect setting for the family to collectively unite their passion for a greater good. “Around the house, the week before the race, all the talk is about the race. Even the week after it’s over, it’s the same thing,” Karwacki said. “We participate in numerous other races, but this is the only one that allows us to enter as a team. We keep coming to this race because it’s different, it’s fun, it’s competitive and it’s for a good cause.”
Proceeds from the race benefit the lifesaving programs and services of the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley. Gross revenue from runner pledges and corporate sponsorships totaled nearly $20,000.
Dean Dimmig of Perkasie, who returned to run for his eleventh year, agrees that the team competition adds a distinct element to the event. Although this year he participated in the iron run, he asserts that the team competition “is a unique blend of individual effort, logistics, camaraderie and teamwork.”
Dimmig’s characterization of the race echoes the structure of the Red Cross itself – the collaboration of its volunteers and employees to create an organization that helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Dimmig and Karwacki were joined today (7/17) by 515 other runners in the 15th annual, 23-mile race that traversed the Lehigh Canal Towpath, from Allentown’s Canal Park, through Bethlehem, to Easton’s Riverside Park. Participants ranged in age from 14 to 73 and hailed from nine states: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Montana, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
In addition, 150 volunteers on foot and bicycles distributed water and sports drinks, provided direction along the course, assisted with first aid, timing, and recording, assembled race packets and helped with overall logistics.
“For 15 years, the support of runners, sponsors and volunteers has made the Lehigh Valley River Run a success. The efforts of those involved in the race continue to enable the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley to provide lifesaving programs and services to our community, such as assistance after a fire, health and safety education and Lifeline, a personal emergency response program for seniors,” said John Hughes, executive director of the Greater Lehigh Valley chapter. “On behalf of the American Red Cross, thank you to all of our supporters who continue to make assisting our community a priority.”
A total of 95 relay teams and 59 iron runners signed up to participate in the race.
Overall relay team winner: PA Best - 2:07
Overall iron winner male: Creighton Faust - 2:35
Overall iron winner female: Kathleen Jobes - 2:34
Men’s Open (any age) 1. PA Best – 2:07
2. Callie’s Cruisers - 2:08:29
3. The Best Graduated High School Team Ever – 2:08:57
Women’s Open (any age) 1. Team Pastaficio – Flying Noodles – 2:28
2. The Paperclippers – 3:14
3. Scallywags – 3:16
Mixed Open (any age) 1. Little Babies - 2:15
2. The Merwarth Machine – 2:30
3. Rowdy Runners – 2:57
Corporate Men’s Open (any age) 1. Energy Savers – 2:32:28
2. Team Aardvark – 2:32:54
3. Runners for Lunch Bunch – 2:54
Corporate Women’s Open (any age) 1. What Were We Thinking? - 3:56
Family 1. A Handful of Wacki’s – 2:21
2. Eureka! - 2:49
3. Stinko’s - 3:10
Iron – Male 1. Creighton Faust – 2:35
2. Brian Hendricks – 2:36
3. Matthew Lundy – 2:46
Iron – Female 1. Kathleen Jobes – 2:34
2. Amy Grab – 2:57
3. Ruth Ann Helfrick – 3:21
Iron Masters – Male (min. age 40) 1. Robert Curci – 2:49
2. John Dobrowski – 2:51
3. Jim Deily – 2:53
Iron Masters – Female (min. age 40) 1. Leslie Baga - 3:26
Iron Grand Masters - Male (min. age 50) 1. John Holley – 2:58
2. Bill Schaffling – 3:01
3. Neil Policelli – 3:11
Iron Grand Masters - Female (min. age 50) 1. Mary Vish – 4:12
Team raising the most money: The Wanglee Connection
Individual raising the most money: Marc Rosenblatt
Most creative team name: Lehigh U Hissin’ Goose Chasers
Best dressed team: The Hot Five
Complete race results will be available online at www.redcrosslv.org in the next couple weeks.
Members of the race committee members are: Brian Patterson and Lori Novak, co-chairs; Jim Bedick, Barbara Deitrick, Mark Donham, Joe Klo, Charlie Lamonte, Patricia Moodie, Dave Wall and Bob Williamson.
Presenting sponsor: The Hawk 99.9; Championship sponsor: The Morning Call; Leg sponsors: The Express-Times/The Allentown Times; Global Environmental Technologies; Lehigh Valley Road Runners; PPL Corp. and its Affiliates; Front Runner sponsors: Coca-Cola Company (Lehigh Valley Syrup Plant); GEICO; Health Network Laboratories; Klunk & Millan Advertising; Kraft; SCCI Hospitals; Water Stop sponsors: Aesculap; Cassidy Communications, Inc.; Global Environmental Technologies; Kutztown University; Road ID; Relay sponsors: Accenture; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom; Giant Food Stores; IKN, Inc.; Keystone Consulting Engineers; Marketing Partners, Inc; Rest Stop sponsors: Dr. Christine Beck; Buckeye Pipe Line Company; Barbara Deitrick; Olympus; Sam and Elizabeth Torrence; Supporting sponsors: Bethlehem Teachers FCU; Entenmann’s Bakery Outlet; FedEx Kinko’s; First Choice Chiropractic; Gate 9 Grille; Herr Foods, Inc.; Chiquita Fresh North America; Laidlaw Transit; Lehigh Valley Neuromuscular Associates; Panera Bread; Penske Truck Rental; Runner's World; Schwab’s Screenprinting; Suburban EMS; Valley Farm Market.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
