3,300-MILE ‘ONE RUN FOR BOSTON II’ TRAVELS THROUGH TAMAQUA, WEST PENN, AND CARBON COUNTY

Running past Tamaqua's Depot Square Park are 'One Run For Boston' runners, from left, Monica Rebuck of Harrisburg, Karen Laughlin of Kingston, and Mary Nestor of Williamstown. — Running past Tamaqua’s Depot Square Park are ‘One Run For Boston II’ runners, from left, Monica Rebuck of Harrisburg, Karen Laughlin of Kingston, and Mary Nestor of Williamstown.

Area runners, both novice and professionals, ran through Mahanoy City, Barnesville, Tamaqua, West Penn and East Penn yesterday (Thursday, April 10, 2014) as part of ‘One Run For Boston II’ relay to benefit the bombing victims of the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013. The non-stop relay started March 16 in Las Angeles, California and will end April 13 in Boston, Massachusetts.
As of 5 PM today (April 11), the run, organized by UK running enthusiasts Kate Treleaven, Danny Bent and Jamie Hay has already raised $404,229 via 1978 relay runners. Last year, the event raised $91,000.
During the relay, relayers stopped at each stage to pass the baton to the next runner(s), who will relay the baton to the next stage. Some local stages included Mahanoy City, Tamaqua, Snyders, Ashfield, Walnutport, Bath and Easton.
“This event gave me the chance to show support and represent the victims,” said relayer Karen McLaughlin during last year’s event, who received the half-millionth place recognition during the 2012 Boston Marathon. “We’re not going to let anybody break our spirit no matter what. We’re Boston strong.” McLaughlin participated in this year’s event as well.
Supporters were be able to follow the baton’s progress online thanks to a GPS Ninja Tracking device fitted to the baton that updated its location every 15 minutes.
“We (Step-N-Stride Women’s Running group of Minersville) were quick to get involved as soon as we heard about it,” said Karen Graeff last year. “Two of our group’s trainers, Jenn Burgess and Sandi Bergan, took part in this year’s Boston Marathon. Burgess missed the bombing by about 30 minutes, while Bergan missed the bombing by 15 minutes. They run the Boston Marathon every year.”
“In addition to the victims, I ran for the city of Boston,” said Mickey Schneider, 24, of Northhampton, last year. Schneider, who lived in Boston for two years while attending college, added, “Plus, this is a great way to get in shape.” Schneider ran with friends Ryan Wagner and Jonathan Myers.
“I can relate to all the work done in all the emergency rooms in and around Boston the day of the bombing,” said Myers last year, who served as a patient care assistant with St. Luke’s Health Network.
“One Run For Boston is a chance for runners to come together and show solidarity in a really dynamic way,” said Kate Treleaven last year. “It’s represented something remarkable, demonstrating the strength of human spirit and send a powerful message of support to the city of Boston and those whose lives changed on April 15.”
The relay travels through the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and finally, Massachusetts. Most of the 319 stages were around ten miles long, with a few as long as 26 miles and some group staged in the big cities just five miles. Runners were able to sign up to run a stage via the One Run For Boston website.
For more information or to follow the run’s status, visit their website at www.OneRunForBoston.org.
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