The third annual Run4Sam race will be held at Gring's Mill Park in Berks County on August 22, 2010 at 9:30AM in honor and memory of Samuel Brooklyn Reed. Sam was an avid distance runner, both competitively and recreationally, and ran hundreds of miles on the Union Canal tow path along the Tulphehocken Creek where the race will be held. His life was ended too soon by a hit and run, drunk driver on 9/1/07 while he was a sophomore at the University of Pittsburgh.
Proceeds from the race provide a scholarship for a deserving, college bound high school student. The Samuel Brooklyn Reed Memorial Scholarship is managed by the Berks County Community Foundation. We awarded a second handsome scholarship last spring to a Schuylkill Valley High School honor student also with a passion for running. In addition to the scholarship, funding also supports a perpetual naturalization and reforestation project along the running trail at Gring's Mill Park. Last fall, an additional 15 mature Dogwood trees were planted on the bank near the red bridge and "Millie" the houseboat. In total, close to 40 Dogwood, Redwood and Red Maple trees have been placed along the running trail to enhance the beauty of the park.
The 4 mile course follows the winding Tulpehocken creek on the Union canal towpath once used as the actual towpath where mules walked as they towed the canal boats from the area which is now the Blue Marsh Lake to Stonecliff Recreation area near Reading.
The course is mostly flat, shaded cinder trail that passes by several other historic landmarks (the Gruber Wagon Works, the Wertz's Red Covered Bridge and "Mildred", an original house boat) along the way. A two mile walk will begin approximately 9:45AM and both events will be followed by a Kid's Fun Run (approx 1600 feet) for children 12 and under. In our first two years, all walkers and runners received Run4Sam T-shirts. Runners will receive goodie bags until they are gone and all kids receive a fun grab bag.
This year you and your friends, family, neighbors, and/or co-workers can enter the race as a team of 5 or more for a discount. Special prizes will be awarded to the top three teams. Please visit our website, email email@run4sam.net or call (610)698-6165 for more information regarding organizing and registering your team. Pre-registration is required. There will be refreshments, awards, and door prizes for the participants of the race. In the past we have had massage and Reiki stations, entertainment for the kids and even a cameo appearance from Screwball, the Reading Phillies mascot!!!
Run4Sam has been rated one of the most scenic and best organized events around!!
It is a great fund rasing event and fun for the whole family.
The race application and directions to the park can be found on our website www.run4sam.net.
Questions can be directed to email@run4sam.net
Registration on race day (rain or shine) will begin at 8:15am.
