43rd Annual Radnor Run to hit the virtual road Oct. 25
RADNOR » Much like most charity events this year during the pandemic, the 43rd Annual Radnor Run is going virtual. Canceled will be the traditional 5-mile run starting and finishing at the Radnor municipal building where hundreds of runners compete on hilly township roads ablaze with fall foliage.
But for longtime participant Steve McMenamin, who is the team captain of DLL - Together We Can Make Things Happen, the announcement of a virtual run was not a setback but an opportunity to go worldwide to expand the amount of money the team raises every year for the American Lung Association (ALA).
“Though the global pandemic shifted the Radnor Run to a virtual event, it provided an opportunity to get more co-workers around the world involved to help raise awareness and funds to end lung disease, including COVID-19,” explained McMenamin, a Phoenixville resident. “We are proud to field one of the largest corporate teams in the event every year—and this year, it’s even more special with co-workers joining from across the U.S. and around the world. We’ll be running ‘together’ for those living with lung disease, and for those we have lost to lung disease. Knowing that our participation will help fund lifesaving research and support education and advocacy efforts to end lung disease is really what it’s all about.”
McMenamin, who also serves on the Radnor Run Committee and is a sales manager for Radnor Run Start Line Event Sponsor De Lage Landen (DLL), an international vendor finance company with U.S. headquarters in Wayne, not only reached out to local co-workers but throughout the company’s U.S. and global offices and recruited so far 49 runners including members from Australia, Germany, Brazil, Switzerland and Spain.
“I am a former smoker, so knowing that funds raised through the Radnor Run benefiting the ALA who is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease is most rewarding to me,” he added.
The virtual Radnor Run will kick off on Sunday, Oct.
25, and participants can register to virtually participate in the 5-Mile Race,
2-Mile Walk, or 1-Mile Kids Fun Run (ages 12 and under) at their location of choice—a neighborhood, a local hiking trail, or even a treadmill. At the same time, the American Lung Association has launched virtual challenges for registrants to do at home to stay engaged, connect with their community and embrace ALA’s mission.
Money raised at the Virtual Radnor Run will fund the American Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative, a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics. The initiative works with public and private entities to increase research collaboration and develop new vaccines, detection tests and treatment therapies.
“People who live with lung diseases like asthma, lung cancer, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis are at a high risk for severe complications of COVID-19,” explained Caroline Hutchinson, executive director for the Delaware County-based American Lung Association in the Greater Philadelphia Region. “For that reason, we are launching our firstever Virtual Radnor Run to ensure the safety of all our participants, staff and volunteers. Because of the global pandemic, it is more important than ever to support lung health and we are excited to see our participants get creative with how they support lung health. Whether it’s by walking or running—we’re working together to raise critical funds and awareness.”
Every year the Radnor Run’s opening ceremonies include an inspiring story by a Lung Hero. This year’s virtual opening ceremonies will include a message by Nancy Fitzgerald, a Berwyn resident and marketing director and group exercise instructor at Wayne’s Club La Maison Health and Fitness Center. Fitzgerald, who is also a Radnor Run Committee member, has had two close family members impacted by respiratory diseases.
Her late mother-in-law had a lung transplant and her mother developed lung infections due to a compromised immune system. Today her 82-year-old mother undergoes daily lung therapy and medicine regimens.
“Those two women inspire me so much,” said Fitzgerald, who is also a competitive runner and team captain of the fitness club’s Run CLM team.
In order to make this year’s event as interactive as possible, participants can join the Radnor Run Strava Club, a free application participants can down
load on a smart phone and track miles in support of the American Lung Association. The distance that each registrant chooses can be completed on their own time and at the location of their choice. Participants can also log in distance at home by using the treadmill or taking a walk around the neighborhood. Participants can join in the Virtual Challenge activities, such as the Motivational Mile Challenge or the Break a Sweat Challenge, to compete for prizes.
Fitzgerald developed one of the Virtual Challenges, the QuaranTEAM Circle Challenge, designed to give competitive runners “something to sink their teeth into.” Three or more runners from the same quarantine circle run together on the paved 2.4-mile Radnor Trail. Participants start at one end of the trail, run out, and then back to complete the 4.8 miles. The team whose top three finishers total the fastest averaged time wins.
Also new this year, the Lung Association has a training program and support system for participants with a detailed workout plan.
Fundraising for the event will continue through November 30 in honor of Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Top fundraising teams and individuals will be announced on December 1.
Participants can register and post pictures and videos on social media using #RadnorRun.
Local event sponsors include BDP International, Independence Blue Cross, Penn Medicine Radnor-Valley Forge, Radnor Township, Apt Management, Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Moore Jones LLC, Genentech, De Lage Landen and Bryn Mawr Trust.
“We’re so grateful to all our committee members, sponsors and participants for sticking with us and continuing to see the value and importance of our mission despite the challenging climate right now,” said Christy Dernlan, senior manager, development, for the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania.
Registration is online at Lung.org/ radnorrun. The fee for the event is
$35 for the 5-Mile Run, $20 for the
2-Mile Run and $15 for the 1-Mile Kids Fun Run. Participants who raise $100 or more will receive a resistance exercise band as a commemorative gift.