More than 62 individuals donned running shoes – and, in a few cases, Halloween costumes – to enjoy the Hobart’s Run by the River 5K on October 29, the main fundraiser for the nonprofit’s neighborhood improvement initiative. This year’s event earned about $6,500, all of which will be applied to projects ranging from litter cleanups to Hobart’s Run-sponsored Façade Improvement Grants (FIGs) and Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) forgivable loans.
Overall first place winner among the men was John Fath, Pottstown, who got into the spooky spirit by running in a full Star Wars Jedi costume. Overall first place woman winner was Carberry Campbell, also of Pottstown. In keeping with the event’s giving-back-to-the-community theme, all first-place race winners in their categories received a Hobart’s Run litter grabber for them to use while running around town. Complete race results are available on the Pretzel City Sports website.
Other costumes among the participants ranged from “Caveman” David Slavtcheff, of Newtown, Pa., a Hill School sixth form/senior, who courageously ran in bare feet to complete his ensemble, also entitling him to the “scariest costume” medal. The pack included a purple tutu-wearing fairy, Anna Sanchez-Fisher, Pottstown, who ran with her sunflower-attired dog; video game character Mario portrayed by Travis Quimby, Pottstown; and numerous joggers with silly hats and wigs. While new Hill Head of School Kathleen Devaney ran in a Hobart’s Run t-shirt her husband and Hill science teacher Mark DeKanter suited up as Buzz Lightyear of Toy Story fame, complete with wings.
Ages ranged from Lillian Borrelli, age 6, and her brother Alexander, 9, children of co-runners Eugene and Susan Borrelli, all of Gilbertsville, Pa., to Richard Hunter of Leesport, Pa., in the 70-plus age group. A robust group of Hill School and Pottstown High School students from the collaborative Pottstown CARES club either ran or volunteered as assistants.
Channel 6 Action News reporter Nick Iadonisi covered the event, producing a feature that highlighted runners Ann Lamb and her boyfriend, Jose Alicea, both avid Hobart’s Run volunteers at events such as Edgewood Historic Cemetery grounds cleanups. Ann, a native of Ireland, recently benefitted from a HIP grant which helped her purchase a home on Queen Street, a FIG grant to beautify the front area of her new home, and adopted a Hobart’s Run trash can to help keep the street clean and free from litter. Ann and Jose spoke enthusiastically about choosing to live in Pottstown and, specifically, the Hobart’s Run focus area, noting that Pottstown as a whole has so much to offer, from great restaurants to Steel River Playhouse.
Hobart’s Run thanks its sponsors for supporting the 5K and the organization’s ongoing work in Pottstown. Sponsors included: Keystone Welding Company, Mid-Atlantic Wealth Advisory Group, Monastra & Grater, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, Pottstown Hospital | Tower Health, The Wyndcroft School, David and Emily McAlpin Rauch, Pottstown Construction Company, The Pourhouse/Little Italy, Schuylkill River Greenways Association, Scott & Susan Bentley Foundation, the Chirieleison family, Once Upon a Time Consignment Boutique, Re/Max Achievers, The Swamp Door, Be Rezilient, Keystone Running Store, and Sodexo.
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