Laurel Hotelling on her cycle during Laurel’s Lap.
Wayne and Elaine Hotelling looked about at the hundreds of people gathered in and around the Silver Creek Village Square, and they couldn’t help but smile. Once again, Laurel Run was a tremendous success.
The 14th annual event was held Saturday, July 17. Laurel Run was created in 1997 by Wayne and Elaine in honor of their oldest daughter, who has Down syndrome. Their intent then was the same now – to have an event that celebrates individuals with disabilities and to raise some money to support disability services in Chautauqua County.
Silver Creek is the Hotellings’ hometown, and Laurel Run has been based there for the past 10 years. On the morning of the 2010 event, volunteers began arriving before 6:00 to set up tables and chairs graciously provided each year by the First United Methodist Church, located across the alley from the Village Square. Participants began arriving about 7:00 to register for the 8-kilometer run, the 5k walk, the 1k walk, and the children’s fun runs. People milled around the square, chatting with one another and checking out the various auction and raffle items.
Opening ceremonies began about 8:15 in front of The Backline, with owner Matt Bogosian generously setting up his sound system for the festivities. As has become tradition at Laurel Run, John Graham sang the national anthem. John is a man with developmental disabilities who receives supports from The Resource Center, and each year he delivers a rousing rendition of the national anthem.
After welcoming remarks from Wayne and Steve Waterson, TRC’s Community Relations Director, the 5k and 1k walks got under way, with about 140 people participating (and Laurel leading the way on her three-wheeled cycle). About 30 minutes later, the 8k run began with a record field – 148 people finished the challenging run.
After the runners had returned, it was time for the children’s fun runs, for kids age 7 and younger. The kids run a lap around the track surrounding the ball field in downtown Silver Creek. Parents eagerly shot photos and videos as their children raced around the track. Upon crossing the finish line, each child received a ribbon.
Next it was time for the signature event at Laurel Run – Laurel’s Lap. In Laurel’s Lap, everyone with a disabling condition is invited to take a lap around the track. Some people run; some walk; some ride bikes; some make it around using walkers or wheelchairs. Most make it on their own, while some require support from others in order to complete the lap.
Throughout the morning, there was activity in the Village Square. There was plenty of free food and water. There were auction and raffle tables. Tony Pearl, “The Great Lakes Drifter,” again was on hand to play guitar and sing right up until about 10:45, when the award ceremonies for the 8k and 5k events began.
In the 8k run, Dan Mueller was the winner in a rime of 27 minutes, 47 seconds. Joseph Ver finished second in 28:47, with Ray Graf third in 29:09. Among women, Kim Vona (granddaughter of TRC dentist Dr. John Vona) was first in 32:55, followed by Adela Flista in 34:22 and Lydia Samuelson in 34:42.
In addition to trophies, the top three male and female finishers in the 8k run received cash ($100 for first place; $75 for second; $50 for third). Kim, who is preparing to begin her collegiate track career, donated her first-place winnings back to Laurel Run. And Ray, who teaches at Silver Creek and organizes the school’s participation in the Laurel Run Flag Relay each year, said he had been trying for years to finish in the top three of the 8k run so he could say, “I’m donating my money back to Laurel Run!” He and Kim received loud applause from the crowd.
Kim and Dan also received framed photographs of themselves crossing the finish line. Each year Paula Arntz, Production and Facilities Maintenance Technician at TRC’s Mary Andrews Center in Dunkirk, takes photos of the winners crossing the finish line, prints them out in her car and frames them in time for the awards ceremony.
In the 5k walk, Robert Lingenfelter was first among men in 34:42, while Gail Saunders was the first woman in 35:31.
In the team competition, Chautauqua Striders won the 8k run, followed by the Rusty Knights and the Shining Knights. (Silver Creek’s sports teams are known as the Black Knights, and each year alumni, teachers and current students put together different teams using the Knights theme.) Jim White’s Truck and Auto Center (the Finish Line sponsors each year) dominated the 5k walk, followed by The Omlettes and the Neon Viperz.
The 8k and 5k events give medals to the top three male and female finishers in each age group. Every year, several TRC service recipients assist in handing out the medals.
A number of TRC staff members and service recipients participated in the running and walking events, and several of them came away with medals. In the 8k run Mariusz Klimczuk, Physical Therapy Assistant, finished fifth overall and first among men age 40-44, with a time of 30:20; Bruce Main, Supported Employment Client Coordinator, was second in the 55-59 group with a time of 37:36; and Wayne, who is a member of TRC’s Board of Directors, was second among men age 70 and over in 80:26.
In the 5k walk Stephanie Runge, Direct Support Professional in the B-4 home at the Intermediate Care Facility on Foote Avenue in Jamestown, finished third among women age 20-24 with a time of 38:53; Candace Lyon, who receives supports from TRC, was second among women age 50-54 with a time of 44:49; and Thomas Proper, who participates in the Work Center Program at the Mary Andrews Center in Dunkirk, successfully defended his title, finishing first among men 45-49 with a time of 45:25.
Last year, the “Laurel Run Spirit Award” was established to honor a TRC service recipient who had demonstrated dedication and commitment to Laurel Run. In 2009, the inaugural award was presented posthumously to Eric Mackowiak, who in 2007 had completed a goal of participating in the 5k walk. This year, Eric’s family again participated in Laurel Run, with his mother, Judy, serving on the Planning Committee and finishing first in her age group in the 5k walk.
This year, the Laurel Run Spirit Award was given to Brian Samuelson. Brian, who participates in TRC programs in Jamestown, is an avid Laurel Run supporter who each year attends the Flag Relay Kickoff and the Silver Creek events. Every year, Brian is the first person to request a Laurel Run fund-raising form because he is eager to begin collecting pledges. (Brian raised about $80 this year.)
Most people began clearing the Village Square after the awards ceremony concluded, but a number of folks stuck around for the start of the third annual Laurel Run Dice Run. Organized by Suzette Smith, TRC’s Finance Manager, and her husband, Brian, the route tales participants to the Cassadaga Legion, the Ellery Center VFW, the War Vets Cluvb near Jamestown, and the Westfield VFW before returning to Silver Creek. This year there were a total of 55 drivers and riders, double the turnout from 2009.
The clubs treat the dice run participants wonderfully, and at each stop drivers and riders get one free roll of the dice. The goal is to get the lowest or highest cumulative total, and participants can pay for an extra roll at any stop. Scores are tabulated once people have returned to Silver Creek, and participants enjoy a meal in the Village Square before the dice run prizes and raffle prizes are give out.
Money raised through Laurel Run goes to TRC Foundation and is used in two ways: to support disability awareness and prevention programs in Chautauqua County, and to enhance employment and work training opportunities for adults with disabilities like Laurel.
Laurel Run was created in honor of individuals with disabilities, and they warmly embrace the event each year – as do employees if The Resource Center. Staff and service recipients volunteered their time at the main Laurel Run events, as well as the Flag Relay the day before and the sales of the special Laurel Run edition of the Observer.
TRC Foundation wishes to thank everyone who participated in Laurel Run, as well as the businesses who helped make this event happen by providing financial support, donating goods or services, or permitting us the use of their facilities.
We hope you’ll join us for the 15 annual Laurel Run on July 16, 2011!
Click here to read coverage of the 2010 Laurel Run in the Observer. Click here to see videos from the event. Click here to see photos from Laurel Run.