2009 Laurel Run a success

As people gathered in the Silver Creek Village Square Saturday morning, July 18, organizers of the 2009 Laurel Run kept a wary eye on the western sky. Ominous-looking clouds created concern that the day’s activities might experience the type of torrential rain that dampened the mood at the conclusion of the Laurel Run Relay the day before.

Fortunately, the threatening skies never delivered rain, and the 13th annual Laurel Run turned out to be a tremendous success.

As it had in each of the previous eight years, the opening ceremonies began with the singing of the “National Anthem” by John Graham, a man with disabilities who receives supports from The Resource Center. John gave an inspiring performance that received a loud round of applause.

Next, the 2009 Bruce “Wally” Walford Community Service Award was presented. The award was created in memory of Wally, who passed away in 2007. This year’s award went to Nancy Ann Battaglia. Click here for information.

After opening words from Laurel Run co-founder Wayne Hotelling, it was time to begin the 5-kilometer fitness walk and the 1-mile fun walk, to be followed by the 8k run. Temperatures in the 60s meant conditions were ripe for good times in the 5k and 8k races, and strong fields in both events did not disappoint.

At about the time the 8k run was starting, Lydia Samuelson was crossing the finish line of the 5k walk in 30 minutes, 57 seconds, besting the previous women’s mark (set by Elizabeth Bares in 2004) by 3 minutes, 10 seconds. Lydia is a regular at Laurel Run and traditionally performs well (she placed second among women in last year’s 8k run), and this year she decided to try the 5k walk; she won easily. Anthony Boothby finished first among males, clocking a time of 35:57.

Next, it was time to establish new course records in the 8k run. First to cross the finish line was Eddie Novara in 26:14. That shattered the course record set last year by David Hryvniak (27:06). Julius Rono finished second in 27:22, while Daniel Ver was third in 27:49.

Among females, Elizabeth Schultz was first in 31:03; that beat Adele Flista’s five-year-old record of 31:18. Kim Vona was second in 34:27, followed by Melinda Lawson in 35:34.

The top three male and female finishers in the 8k run received cash prizes ($100 for first, $75 for second, $50 for third). Eddie donated his first-place winnings back to TRC Foundation, generating a warm round of applause from the crowd.

Medals were given to the first three finishers in each age group. As has become tradition, several people with disabilities who receive supports from The Resource Center helped place medals around the necks of the winners.

Click here for the complete results.

In the team competition, the 5k walk was won by Jim White’s Truck and Auto Center, with United Angels in second and All Nerved up in third. The 8k run was won by Shiny Knights, followed by Rusty Knights and Shiny Knights II.

Before the awards ceremony began, TRC took the opportunity to present the first Laurel Run Spirit Award. The inspiration for the award was Eric Mackowiak, who died this year after a long battle against cancer. Eric, who participated in TRC programs, trained hard for the 2007 Laurel Run and was able to complete the 5k walk. In reflecting upon Eric’s achievement, the Planning Committee decided to create the Laurel Run Spirit Award and present it each year to a person with disabilities who participates in one of the Laurel Run races. The first award was presented posthumously to Eric and given to his family, who participated in Laurel Run this year. Click here for more information about Eric.

The morning’s events also included children’s fun runs for children age 8 and younger. The signature event of Laurel Run is Laurel’s Lap, in which anyone with a disability is invited to take a lap around the track surrounding the ballfield. Laurel’s Lap participants earned loud cheers from the crowd as they crossed the finish line.

Throughout the morning, there were other things going on to keep people entertained. Again this year Tony Pearl, “The Great Lakes Drifter,” played guitar and sang. TRC Foundation provided sub sandwiches, while sponsors provided drinks and other food. United Angels did face painting for kids, and costumed characters Mickey and Minnie roamed around, interacting with the crowd.

Shortly after noon, the second annual Laurel Run motorcycle dice run began. Twenty cycles headed off on a route that took them to stops at the Cassadaga Legion, the Ellery Center VFW, the War Vets Club in Jamestown, and the Westfield Legion before returning to Silver Creek. The potential for rain made some people decide to skip the event, and indeed it did rain on the group between Silver Creek and Cassadaga. But the rest of the ride went well, and everyone had a good time.

As always, Laurel Run began the day before with the Jamestown-to-Dunkirk relay run. The event begins at TRC’s Michael J. Raymond Center, where a group of TRC staff and consumers walk up the sidewalk to Eighth Street. From there, relay runners (most of them students, teachers and administrators from area schools) transport the Laurel run flag to Dunkirk City Hall, where each year Mayor Richard Frey and the City host a victory celebration. Torrential rain at the end of the relay dampened everyone’s mood until the last set of runners came into view. They were led by corrections officers from the Lakeview Shock Incarceration Facility, who presented the Hotelling family with Laurel Run flags that were made at the Brocton prison.

Well-wishers gathered under a tent outside City Hall, where Mayor Frey and County Executive Greg Edwards were among the people handing out refreshments.

Wayne and Elaine Hotelling created Laurel Run in honor of their oldest daughter, who has Down syndrome. Laurel Run is intended to celebrate the achievements of individuals with disabilities and to educate the public about the potential that exists within everyone who is disabled.

We still are tabulating the money that came in for Laurel Run. Money raised through Laurel Run goes to TRC Foundation and is used to support disability awareness and prevention programs provided by The Resource Center. Laurel Run proceeds also are used to enhance employment and work training opportunities for adults with disabilities at TRC’s Work Centers, where Laurel herself has a job.

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We thank everyone who participated in the 2009 Laurel Run, especially our sponsors. We invite you to attend the 14th annual Laurel Run on July 17, 2010.