2023 Kennett Run Event Guide

Kennett Run Charities

awards $25,000+ to area organizations

The Kennett Run:

The race that never ends

Kennett Run Race Map

2023 Kennett Run

information

Rewind:

The 2022 Kennett Run

2023 Kennett Run sponsors

The Kennett Run:

A recent history in photos

Kennett Run Charities

Board of Directors

A Letter from the President of Kennett Run Charities

To the Friends of The Kennett Run:

Whetheryou will be arriving with running shoes on your feet and a competitive spirit or simply out for a Saturday morning walk, I invite everyone in Southern Chester County to come out and join us for the 34th Kennett Run on the morning of Saturday May 6th in Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square.

We have runs to meet everyone’s needs, goals, and physical condition. If you want competition with yourself and others, we have you covered. If you are a casual runner who wants some company while running, or you prefer to run or walk at your own pace with your own or new friends, we have runs for you. If you want to enjoy a run with your kids, we offer that opportunity as well, and you get your choice of distances to run: 5K, 10K, or a one-mile run. For kids under 10 who want competition, we have a 600-yard run around the ponds in the park, so be sure to bring the whole family. There is something to do for everyone.

If simply enjoying a spring morning out with friends isn’t enough to entice you, think of the morning as your opportunity to do good by investing in the Southern Chester County community effortlessly. The fun will just be an extra bonus for you. The Kennett Run has been investing the profits from the Run into developing all aspects of the community throughout Southern Chester County for the

past 33 years and will continue to do so this year and in the future.

If you want some of the funds you provide to go to your immediate area, we provide an opportunity for that, too. Join us for a run and you can support your local high school athletic programs by contributing $5 of your registration to them. There has been a lot of discussion about depression and other mental issues within our student population since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Exercise and group activities have a huge positive impact on mental health. Allocating $5 of your registration fee to your high school sports booster program is an easy way you can help our schools provide those opportunities and prevent and reverse these mental issues.

For those who just can’t stand the idea of exercising on a spring morning, join us for the fun in the park at the after run party, or out on the course cheering the runners on as they go by you. There truly is something for everyone at The Kennett Run!

Robert Merkle President, Kennett Run Charities

Kennett Run Charities President Bob Merkle, left, with Race Director John Ramagano before the 2022 Kennett Run

Kennett Run Charities awards $25,000+ to area organizations

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

On the morning of each of the 32 times the Kennett Run has been held, leaders of the charitable organization hope for good weather, knowing full well that blue skies are not always a sure thing.

Despite the washout that accompanied this year’s race on May 7, however, there is always one certainty that has been connected to this race since it began in 1989: that the race serves as one of the area’s largest providers of funding to the many non-profits throughout southern Chester County.

At an event held on Oct. 27, 2022, 14 nonprofit organizations received contributions from Kennett Run Charities in the amount of more than $25,000. Those groups receiving awards were The Barn at Springbrook Farm, A Child’s Light, Camp Dreamcatcher, the Garage Community & Youth Centers, Good Neighbors, Inc., the Kennett Afterschool Association, the Kennett Area Senior Center, the Kennett Education Foundation, Meals on Wheels-Chester County, Mighty Writers, the Rotary Club of Kennett Square, the Unionville Community Fair, Walk in kNowledge (WIN), and Young Moms.

“We really appreciate the work you do for our community,” said Kennett Run Charities, Inc. President Robert Merkle. “Without you, it wouldn’t be the same community that it is.

You are a critical part of it, and we are happy to be able to fund your organizations.”

Due in large part to the lingering presence of the COVID-19 pandemic – which canceled the 2020 race and limited the 2021 event to a virtual run -- registration for the 2022 Kennett run saw 30 percent fewer entries than in races held before 2020. Secondly, the number of race sponsors dropped by about 50 percent, due largely to the financial stress that many businesses have endured over the last two years.

Despite the lower figures, Kennett Run Charities, Inc. still provided the organizations with 80 percent of the funding they had requested.

Continued on Page 8

Photo by Richard L. Gaw

Representatives from 14 area non-profit organizations received financial contributions from Kennett Run Charities, Inc. at an event held on Oct. 27, 2022 at Café American in Kennett Square.

Kennett Run charities...

Continued from Page 6

In addition, this year’s Kennett Run gave competitors the option of contributing $5 of their registration fee to sports boosters programs at schools in the Ches-Mont League, including $1,000 to Kennett High School and over $400 to Unionville High School.

Brad Dunn, advancement director at Good Neighbors, Inc., said the organization has received funding from the Kennett Run for the past several years, which has been directed toward home renovations and repairs for community members.

“They have been wonderful for us,” he said. “The Kennett Run has been longtime supporters who really care about the community, especially the non-profit organizations who are also trying to help their communities. It’s a win-win for everyone; it’s a fun event for those who participate, and they also contribute funding that will ultimately help people in need.”

Corporate sponsors for the Kennett Run include Britany Lovio – State Farm, Brutscher Foley, Café Americana, Chadds Ford Climate, Chatham Financial, the Chester County Press, Delaware Orthopaedic, Kendal Crosslands, Launch Collective, Mercer Auto Body, Perna & Abracht LLC, Phillips Mushrooms, Pollock Music Lessons, Precision Painting of Chester County, QFIX, Sinton Air Conditioning, the Southern Chester County News, Taylor Oil & Propane, Tri-M, Two Stones Brewing Company and WSFS Bank. Co

The Kennett Run: The race that never ends

From the time it first began in 1989, the mission of Kennett Run Charities has been two-fold: To bring the community of Southern Chester County together in a spirit of fun and competition once a year, and to use the support it receives from its competitors and sponsors to create better communities.

In many ways, the Kennett Run has become a race that never ends. Rather, the power of its commitment continues throughout the year to provide valuable funding to the many agencies that assist families, students and individuals in communities just like yours, and those on the receiving end of that continuing gift express their thanks.

“Meals on Wheels of Chester County greatly appreciates the faithful support of the Kennett Run Charities organization. Their funds have helped purchase hot, nutritious meals for homebound seniors in the Kennett Square, Avondale and West Grove areas since 2013. We are grateful for our partnership with the Kennett Run to make sure no senior goes hungry!”

Jeani D. Purcell, Director, Meals on Wheels of Chester County

“The Kennett Run makes dreams come true for the children served by Camp Dreamcatcher. Over the past 16 years, the Kennett Run has sponsored 20 children to attend our therapeutic camp session for HIV/ AIDS impacted youth.”

Patty Hillkirk, Founder, Camp Dreamcatcher

“The Kennett Run has supported YoungMoms’s mission by providing funding for our Mentoring and Advocacy Program. The mission of this program is to provide culturally competent and comprehensive support through a combination of individualized case management, life skills instruction, one-to-one mentoring, and community building activities. Our program’s success has been made possible by local support like we have found with Kennett Run Charities!”

Mary Hewes, Executive Director, YoungMoms

r, oms

The Garage Community & Youth Center has been a partner of the Kennett Run for many years, and we are grateful for all the work they do to raise funds which support our community! Their generous efforts go beyond financial, by bringing the community together for a fun, safe, healthy, and family friendly event that connects the rich and diverse residents of our community together. Many staff, students, alumni, and volunteers from The Garage participate in the run annually, and we are excited to continue our partnership in 2023 and for many years to come.”

2023 Course Map Th

Kristin Proto, Executive Director, The Garage Community & Youth Center

“Mighty Writers is grateful for the Kennett Run’s support because we can continue to impact the lives of the students we serve at our after-school program and their families in a positive way.”

Sara Dickens Trillo, Director of Operations, Mighty Writers s , ters

2023 Kennett Run Information

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

10K race starts; beverage and food are available for runners

RACES

• 5K

• 10K

• 5K PoweRun – PoweRunners either perform bench presses or pull-ups prior to running in the 5K. Each lift completed reduces running times by 30 seconds

• 10K PoweRun – PoweRunners either perform bench presses or pull-ups prior to running in the 10K. Each lift completed reduces running times by 1 minute

• 1-Mile Walk/Run

• Kids Pond Run

TERRAIN

Course surfaces for this year’s Kennett Run will be a mix of paved and unpaved, and begin and end at Anson B. Nixon Park. The 5K and 10K courses are of moderate difficulty and feature significant hill running fairly early in the race, combined with running through rolling terrain in the latter part of the race, and finishing with a downhill glide.

About 70 percent of the 5K will take place on the main streets of Kennett Square, while the

remaining 30 percent will traverse the trails and roads accessing Anson B. Nixon Park. Conversely, 30 percent of the 10K race will take place on the main streets of Kennett Square, while about half of the race will take place on mostly rural roads.

The 1-mile course is flat for the first half, then a couple of moderate hills.

The Kids Pond Run is a flat course around the ponds within Anson Nixon Park.

Anson Nixon Park opens

Race Registration opens; runners may pick up their shirts and bibs

Roads through Kennett Square close

PoweRunners start their exercise

Registration closes; North Walnut Street closes out to Route 926

Runner shirt and bib distribution stops

REGISTRATION/PRICING AWARDS

• Registration for the 5K and 10K races is $35 through April 8 and $45 after April 8.

• Registration for the 5K and 10K PoweRun races is $50 through April 8 and $60 after April 8.

• Registration for the 1 Mile Walk/Run is $35 through April 8 and $45 after April 8.

• The Kids Pond Run is free for runners below the age of 10, and does not include a T-shirt.

• RACE SHIRTS ONLY GUARANTEED FOR RUNNERS WHO HAVE REGISTERED BEFORE APRIL 22, 2023

Awards are presented to the fastest man and woman of each race. In addition, there are age bracket winners recognized for the 5K and 10K races: Under 10, 1013, 14-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70-99. Runners may only win recognition in one race. That means a 5K PoweRun contestant cannot win both the 5K PoweRun and the 5K from his/ her run. They must choose which award to receive.

KENNETT RUN RECORDS/AVERAGE TIMES

Men’s 5K Fastest: 16:12.6 Average: 29:26.5

Women’s 5K Fastest: 18:50.4 Average: 35:19.1

Men’s 5k PoweRun

Women’s

Men’s 10K Fastest: 32:23.4 Average: 54:40.2

Women’s 10K Fastest: 40:52.2 Average: 58:39.8

Men’s 10K PoweRun Fastest: 48:07.6 Average: 56:07.0

Women’s 10K PoweRun Fastest: 42:50.9 Average: 48:13.5

DIRECTIONS/PARKING

Traveling South on Route 1: Take the exit toward Kennett Square at the beginning of the Route 1 bypass. Follow this road toward Kennett Square. Parking is available at either the Kennett Fire Company (Dalmatian Rd. off Cypress St.) or in the front parking lot of Kennett High School (entrances to the lot are on East South St. and South Union St.). Buses will take you to the park.

Traveling North on Route 1: Take the Kennett Square exit. At the end of the ramp turn right onto Route 82. Follow the instructions for using Route 82 south.

Traveling South on Route 82: Drive into Kennett Square. Turn left onto East Linden St. Park in the Kennett Square Parking Garage on your right and walk about a half mile (continue down Linden St. and then follow the path through the park to the start/finish line).

Traveling North on Route 82 or Route 7/ Kaolin Rd.: Drive to the Kennett High School. Park in the lot at the front of the school. Buses will take you to the park.

From the May 11, 2022 Chester County Press:

Local tradition returns after a two-year hiatus

Despite washout, 2022 Kennett Run draws runners, walkers and spirit

By Richard L. Gaw Staff Writer

Ten days before the start of the 32nd Kennett Run on May 7, Kennett Run Charities President Bob Merkle took his first look at the anticipated forecast for race day.

“It called for a 30 percent chance of occasional showers, and I thought at the time, ‘Oh, that should be okay,’” Merkle said 15 minutes before the start of this year’s race. “The forecast continued to get worse, but in comparison to other races – like the one in 2018 – it hasn’t been too bad.”

Ten minutes later, when runners were asked by Race Director John Ramagano to line up for the 10K run, Kennett Square’s most wellknown race had become a full-blown quagmire. Scheduled as a rain or shine event, the start of each race tuned out to be the only form of

reliability, as runners and walkers slip-sided their way through the muddy paths of Anson B. Nixon Park and through the pelting silver of rain that poured on Kennett Square.

Despite the rain, however, Saturday’s event signaled a return of what had been an annual Kennett Square tradition since 1989, until COVID-19 led to the cancellation of the 2020 race and a virtual run that was held in 2021.

While the torrential downpour may have changed the plans for hundreds of competitors, those who braved the weather in raingear and umbrellas demonstrated a fierce determination. For

Continued on Page 20

Runners made their way down a sloppy Walnut Street.

Photos by Richard L. Gaw Various types of raingear were in ample supply during the event.

Through their support, the following sponsors of this year’s Kennett Run believe a strong community is essential to building a community event of the spring to bring our residents and their friends

After the completion of each Kennett Run, Kennett Run Charities

strengthening our community by providing education, health, social, and environmental services to everyone.

We hope you will join Kennett Charities in thanking this year’s Kennett Run sponsors as we continue our running, walking, volunteering, or simply cheering the runners on as they pass you on the street.

Runners, walkers and spirit...

Continued from Page 18

Courtney Rhodes of Landenberg, who arrived with her husband and children, sitting the race out was unthinkable.

“We’re a sign-up and show-up family,” she said. “We kept our spirits up by bringing our dog Paco with us.”

This year’s winners

In the Joe Hector 5K PoweRun, the winners were Wendy Getman in the women’s division with a time of 23:39 and James Lertola, who finished in 26:47 in the men’s division. In the 10K PoweRun, Megahn Edaon won the women’s division with a time of 50:11 and Jesus Juarez

finished first in the men’s division with a time of 51:03.

In the 5K race, Aadav Venkatesh (44:15) and Abigail Lapsley (35:30) won the 9 and under division; Lucas Mohan (21:31) and Amelia Houck (23:20) took first place in the 10-19 division; Johnny Carnes (18:13) and Rachel Poe (26:40) won the 20-29 division; Andrew Hinrichs (17:52)

and Kari Springer (21:20) took the 30-39 division; Brian Albans (20:48) and Kathryn Miller (21:39) finished first in the 40-49 division; Michael Galbus (22:31) and Hannah Christopher (27:58) won the 50-59 division; and Tom Ellis (22:01) and Dina Appleby (30:57) won the 60-69 division.

In the 10K race, Jeffrey Day (46:22) and Emma Lott (59:43) emerged victorious in the 10-19 division; Angel Rodriguez (37:45) and Kathleen Kalbian (42:39) won the 20-29 division; Nick Geigle (36:15) and Katelyn Gardner (46:15) took the 30-39 division; Adam Donell (40:08) and Renee Clewell (47:06) won the 40-49 division; Frank Perna (39:37) and Jackie Roberts (57:01) finished first in the 50-59 division; and Bradley Peiper (46:56) and Marjorie Adams (56:11) won the 60-69 division.

Nova Timing Systems served as the official timekeeper for this year’s Kennett Run.

Bill Perkins and his daughters Taylor, Logan and Brett celebrate moments after crossing the finish line.

The 32nd Kennett Run, held on May 7, 2022, was completed despite a persistent rainstorm.

The Rhodes family.

The Kennett Run

Photos

Kennett Run Charities Board of Directors

The Kennett Run Charities Board of Directors is made up of volunteers from various Kennett Square service organizations including the Rotary Club of Kennett Square, the Rotary Club of Longwood, the Lions Club, the Kennett Area YMCA and various Kennett area citizens who give their time and resources to make the Kennett Run a successful, fun event for serious runners as well as for family fun.

2022-2023 OFFICERS

Bob Merkle - President

Dr. Al Schmitt - Vice President

Tom Neale - Treasurer

Becky Devestine - Secretary

John Ramagano - Race Director

2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ryan Borchik

Mary Brannan

David Chopko

Becky Devestine

Greg Lambert

Steven McManus

Bob Merkle

Thomas P. Neale

Dr. Albert J. Schmitt

Debra Swayne

Kennett Run

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