The runners took off toward Market Street Bridge on Monday just after 5:30 p.m. Those who registered for September’s race and participated in the launch event were automatically entered to win a new pair of running shoes, courtesy of On Running.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Wyoming Valley Run organizers hold launch event
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The Wyoming Valley Run hosted a registration/launch event at Abide Coffeehouse Monday evening in anticipation of September’s 10 mile road race.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Runners gather outside Abide Coffeehouse Monday evening as rain begins to fall.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
Race Director, Ben Robinson (third in from the left) poses for a picture outside Abide Coffeehouse, along with fellow runners participating in the Wyoming Valley Run registration/launch event.
Margaret Roarty | Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — The Wyoming Valley Run hosted a registration/launch event at Abide Coffeehouse Monday evening in anticipation of September’s 10-mile road race.
Participants were treated to an early bird special and paid a fee of $60 to sign up. Those who registered and attended the group run were automatically entered to win a new pair of running shoes, courtesy of On Running.
The group run consisted of the last few miles of the course. Despite the rainy weather, runners took off toward the Market St. Bridge around 5:30 p.m. Participants were given the option of running 3, 4 or 5 miles along the race course.
Though registration had only been open for a few hours board member Jim Brogna said more than 120 people had already signed up.
The Wyoming Valley Run is presented by Allied Services, with the proceeds benefiting five local charities: Candy’s Place, Camp Freedom, Shop with a Cop, Northeast Sight Services and Wilkes-Barre Special Needs Playground.
The race will take place on Sep. 3. The course will begin in downtown Pittston and conclude on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. According to organizers, the course is approachable for runners of all levels.
2023 will mark the first in-person road race for The Wyoming Valley Run. Originally, board members planned to hold the race in 2020, but because of the pandemic they held a virtual one instead.
According to Brogna, it just wasn’t the same. “It really never got the synergy the race deserves,” he explained. It wasn’t until December of 2022 that the board attempted to organize the race again.
Coordinating an event like this takes a lot of effort. Brogna said that most of their meetings run over two hours.
“Think about it,” Brogna said, “if our goal is 1,500 runners and walkers, all the volunteers that are needed.”
Race Director Ben Robinson said planning the race has been a “combined effort” and that they’re very fortune to have to support that they do.
“Without the help of everybody on our team and the local people, it just wouldn’t happen,” he said.
Of all the runners that registered in person, most participated in the group run. While Julie Brominiski, of Swoyersville, seemed hesitant to run in the rain, she was excited for September’s race, especially because it will be for a good cause.
“It motivates you to run,” she said. “You know the money’s going to go to something good.”
The early bird special will run until April 1. Those interested in signing up for the race can www.thewyomingvalleyrun.com.