Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Runnin’ in the rain in the big race for the small town
On Saturday morning, Anson B. Nixon Park was adorned in its finest green leaves and white honeysuckle as it welcomed the hundreds of runners who came to compete in the 29th annual Kennett Run.
Race organizers were not sure how many actually showed up, but said there were about 600 registrations. The turnout, however, was clearly lighter than that because of the rainy conditions which had been hanging around for most of the preceding week. The soaking rain was reminiscent of the very first Kennett Run that departed out of State Street in 1990 and was met with the same dousing from above.
This year, like the last year, began and ended in the park, where vendors and nonprofits offered their goods from tents and a band played throughout the event from the stage. This year the route took the runners along State Street and out Walnut Street, from which they returned to the finish line beside the soccer field and back to the track alongside the lake.
The mood among runners and observers was cheerful, even though most awaited the start of the race draped in plastic bags or raincoats. Many would have preferred sunny conditions, but they remained upbeat through rain nonetheless.
Ed Moon and daughter Samantha agreed that they don’t often choose to run in wet conditions.
“I’ll go out when I have to walk the dog or do yard work, but I don’t ordinarily run when it’s raining,” Ed Moon said.
Erin Leone and Emily Pachuilo, Avon Grove High School students, agreed that they were feeling a little cautious about the rainy conditions for fear of slipping and falling. They were happy, however, because they were part of a team representing La Comunidad Hispana that was racing for the first time.
For the Longwood Fire Company ambulance crew, the rain, puddles and soggy ground were more than a mild inconvenience, as their vehicle got stuck in about 6 inches of mud.
On the other side of the coin, one woman said there
was redemption in the rain because there was no fear of heat exhaustion for the older runners.
The events consisted of a power run (which included a weight lifting component), a 10K run, a 5K run and a 1
mile run-walk.
The weight lifters began early at 8 a.m. on the park’s stage area, and the 10K took off at 9 a.m.
The 5K run was orchestrated to begin 25 minutes after the 10K, with the result that the winners of both races crossed the finish line within minutes of each other. Josh Hibbs of Philadelphia won the 10K in 32 minutes and 25 seconds, with Darryl Brown of Exton arriving about two minutes later from the 5K.
Runner and longtime event supporter Bob George said he was not only pleased with the Kennett Run itself but with the support it gives to local agencies. He said the gracious support from sponsors enables the run organizers to make generous donations to local organizers.