Press release:
The third annual “Run for the ACORNS” 10K and 5K Trail Run/Walk was held at the Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany on Oct. 11th. More than 200 participants enjoyed a picture-perfect fall morning as they made their way along a course that highlights the beauty of the park.
Holly Sharpe of Batavia, who ran the 5K race, said: "It's a great, well-planned event. As a runner, it is a nice change to have a trail run as opposed to running on the pavement. The trails are beautiful, well- marked, staffed appropriately and it's nice not to have to worry about cars and traffic! It's a beautiful park and a great event! It should be on everyone's calendar for next year!"
The course wound through the park on trails which feature hills, ponds, forests and Black Creek. A dozen environmental education signs entertained runners and walkers as they passed by some noteworthy park features. Post-race activities included an award ceremony and refreshments including yogurt provided by Muller Quaker Dairy, apples from Roanoke Apple Farm and nut butters from Once Again Nut Butter.
Race organizer Julia Garver said, “For the third year, I have heard nothing but accolades for this event. The runners love the course as it is quite unique. We hope the word spreads and there are even more participants next year.”
The race date for the fourth annual Run for the ACORNS is set for October 2, 2016.
Congratulations to all the winners in the race. The overall top finishers in the 10K run were Andrew Macmillan, of Rochester (41:32), and Beth Deciantis, of Rochester (48:41). In the 5K run the top male finisher for the third year in a row was Calvin Patten, of Alexander (18:56), and the top female was Kristina Martin, of Alden (21:06).
Each winner received a wooden medallion with the race logo and race category burned into the wood. Brothers-All-Natural sponsored the awards. First-place winners of the trail runs received a $50 gift certificate from Dick's Sporting Goods, and second-place winners received a fleece jacket from the Tompkins Bank of Castile.
Many thanks to the major sponsors of the race -- the Awards sponsor: Brothers-All-Natural; and the Corporate sponsors: Tompkins Bank of Castile, CC Environment & Planning, Carquest -- Batavia, 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/
