HOSPICE RUNS FEATURE BIG FIELDS BIG NAMES & BIG MONEY

Saturday’s Run for Hospice at the First Baptist Bible Church in Greece expects over 1500 participants in a variety of races for all ages and abilities. There will be a 10 mile race (9:15am start) a 5k race and 2.5 mile fitness walk (9:30am start) and kids 400 and 200 meter runs (10:30am).

The 10 mile race and the 5k race feature nearly $13,000 in cash and merchandise awards from sponsors Moran & Kufta and Rochester Orthopedic Labs. The large cash and merchandise prize structure will bring some of the regions best talent to the Rochester running community.

Expected to compete in the 5k is a contingent of Kenyan athletes (3 men and 2 women) based in West Chester, PA and a Kenyan contingent (3 men) based in Hamilton, Ontario. Also, Kenyan-native and Ossining, NY resident Paul Mwangi, 36 is expected to compete. Mwangi won 2000 Home Depot Invitational 8k Cross Country race at Genesee Valley Park. Toronto’s Tara Quinn and Andrew Smith, coming off their individual victories at Sunday’s GVH Cross Country Invitational are expected to return to the area for the Hospice race. Canada’s top masters male, Steve Boyd, 42 of Toronto and top veteran women, Diane Legare, 52 of Montreal are also entered.

Most of Rochester’s top runners will be on hand as well as this race is the tenth in the twelve race Rochester “Runner of the Year” road race series. Current women’s leader Audra Knapp will head the local women’s field that includes former Runner of the Year Renee Rombaut. Mark Andrews, RIT grad Kevin Collins and Pittsford’s Scott Bagley are just some of the top local names in the men’s field.

Runner’s can register for the event, which will be followed by a huge post-race bash catered by the Outback Steakhouse, on Friday at the first Baptist Bible Church on North Greece Road from 2-8pm. On Saturday, registration will run from 7:30-9:15am. Runners are encouraged to arrive early for the races and, if possible, car pool with other competitors. Parking is limited to the lots at First Baptist Bible Church and neighboring St. Lawrence Church. Parking on surrounding neighborhood streets is discouraged.