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Second annual 'Run for the ACORNS' was a big success with more than 200 participants

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The second annual “Run for the ACORNS” 10K Run and 5K Trail Run/Walk was held at the Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany on Oct. 12th. Proceeds will be used to benefit Genesee County's parks.

The weather was perfect for a run on a frosty autumn morning. More than 200 registered to participate in the event. Race organizer Julia Garver said, “Participants were very pleased with the course. It is challenging and highlights the natural beauty of the park.”

The events started and finished at Area B at the park. The course wound through the park on trails which featured hills, ponds, forests and Black Creek. A dozen environmental education signs entertained runners and walkers as they passed by some noteworthy park features. First-time participant John Kirkwood, who ran in the 10K, said, “The course was great. I will invite friends to run the race next year.” The sun (and a fire in the fireplace at the park pavilion) warmed runners and volunteers when the race was over as they all enjoyed yogurt provided by Muller Quaker Dairy and Alpina and apples from Roanoke Apple Farm.

Congratulations to all the winners in the race. The overall top finishers in the 10K Run were Chad Minuto, of Batavia (43:00) and Kimberly Mills, of Basom (43:02). In the 5K Run the top male finisher was Calvin Patten, of Alexander (18:53) and the top female was Casey Arnold, of Alden (27:26). Each winner received a wooden medallion with the race logo and race category burned into the wood. Brothers-All-Natural sponsored the awards. Winners of the 10K race received a $50 gift certificate from Dick's Sporting Goods, and winners of the 5K race received a jacket from the Bank of Castile.

Many thanks to the major sponsors of the race: Awards sponsor -- Brothers-All-Natural; and the Corporate sponsors -- Attica Auto and Hardware, Bank of Castile, Conservation Connects, Fastenal and D&D Logging.

Also thanks to the volunteers who helped to make this an amazing event, especially members of ACORNS, the USN Sea Cadets and Bethany Volunteer Fire Department. Special thanks also go out to our other sponsors, all of whom helped make the Run for the ACORNS a great success!

For more information and full race results please go to: https://runfortheacorns.shutterfly.com/

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