2021 run will feature the frogmen
The Run to the Moon is coming up, and Amy Kentner, the event's race director, wants to make one thing clear: it won't be an actual run to the moon.
Instead, she described it as something that incorporated the town, the Armstrong Air and Space Museum and local culture. The run, which starts shortly after 8 a.m., will take place on July 17 at the museum. Kentner said this will the 18th run.
"Back in the day I used to be the president of the Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce, and through that I got a greater respect for the city, of the partnership between the city and the museum and really just fell in love with it," Kentner said. "I just felt this would be a great opportunity to even do some more collaboration with running and space and the history that's here as well."
She said this was her way of giving back and supporting the community.
Money raised from entrance fees goes to the chamber of commerce and the museum while also covering costs for special guests and astronauts.
The event is personal to Kentner.
"I've been a runner since I was… nine," she said. "When I was nine I broke the record for the AAU junior olympics in the mile, and over the years I've run 104 marathons in six different countries."
So she decided to take her talents and apply them in ways that would help others.
"That's really where I've found my passion… to be able to take something that I love and turn it into something that helps others," she said. "That's when I started Run to the Moon, and that was the first race I actually decided to be a race director of."
Interested participants can choose either a 5K or 10K, which will take you to Veterans's Memorial Park and back.
There is also a one mile bling run. Runners will still get the bib, shirt and medal that other runners get, but anyone interested in that will only be asked to do one mile.
"Anybody can participate and still get the fun," she said.
In addition, there will be a one mile no frills fun run designed for kids as well as a virtual run.
In the virtual run, participants will receive everything they need and can run it at their preferred course in their hometown without having to travel to Wapak.
Kentner described the event as very popular, and said she typically gets around 2200 runners total for the 5K, 10K and Bling Run.
More than anything, she wants runners to see Run to the Moon as an experience where people will learn about space and meet astronauts.
"It's really just to be able to give [runners] experiences that they don't have anywhere else, and that's so important for us," she said.
This year's theme will be Year of the Frogmen. The term frogmen refers to Naval recovery specialists, currently known as Navy SEALS.
Astronauts who will be there include Greg Johnson, Michael Good and Michael Foreman. Frogmen will include Mike Mallory, Wes Chesser, Clancy Hatleberg and John Wolfram.
To sign up, go to runsignup.com/race/ Oh/wapakoneta/ Runtothemoon. You can also sing up on the Run To The Moon 5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run Facebook page.