Runners break from the start of the inaugural Back Mountain Trail 5K in Luzerne on Friday afternoon.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Organizers announce $73K grant at event
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Daniel Danilovitz races to the finish line of the Back Mountain Trail 5K. Danilovitz was the first overall finisher in the race.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Marina Martino, of Dallas, was the first female to finish the inaugural Back Mountain Trail 5K on Friday in Luzerne.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
Runners race on the Back Mountain Trail on Friday.
Fred Adams | For Times Leader
LUZERNE – The old year certainly went out with a bang for area residents that enjoy using the Back Mountain Trail.
Not only did more than 400 people turn out for a sold out 5K Friday to raise funds for improvements to the trail, the Anthracite Scenic Trails Association received a $73,000 state grant on Wednesday.
Dave Bass, one of the organizers of the Friday’s 5K, announced news of the grant to runners and spectators gathered on Parry Street on an unseasonably warm New Year’s Eve for the race.
As for the inaugural Back Mountain Trial 5K, calling it a huge success might be a bit of an understatement.
“For a first year race, it will be one of the biggest events in the running community this year,” Bass said.
Bass expects that the number of runners who turned out will translate into a nice payday for the trail.
“We raised $10,000 at the Strive Triathlon this year.” Bass said. “We think we will raise another $10,000 today, and we just got a grant for $73,000 from the state. That money is going to go toward connecting Luzerne with Edwardsville, and then you are going to be able to get on the Luzerne County levee system. So you will be able to go to Kingston to Wilkes-Barre to Dallas all on the trail.
“That’s our plan.”
Steve Taren, another one of the race organizers and one of its sponsors through Wet Paint, was equally pleased with the turnout.
“I’m so excited,” Taren said. “I don’t know if it’s the day we picked or if it’s the (hooded sweatshirt each runner received).
“I’m excited for next year because I think we can get to 500 runners.”
Bass agreed.
“We already have great ideas for next year,” he said. “Picture 500 runners going down Main Street in Luzerne with the whole town lit up with vendors and stores open.
“It will be cool.”
The race, which also benefitted Wilkes-Barre’s Riverfront Parks and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, seemed to go off without a hitch.
Race officials utilized the parking lots of several downtown Luzerne businesses for parking. The course started about a 10th of a mile from the start of trail, with a DJ providing music for runners and spectators, and continued for a mile and half down the trail.
Even condition of the trail was in good shape with just a few muddy patches along the way.
“This is one of the best things I’ve sponsored,” Taren said. “So I’m happy about it.”
