Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
COMMUNITY SPIRIT STAYLING ALIVE
About 100 participate in Kennett Run, despite heavy rain
KENNETT SQUARE » Despite heavy rainfall, runners united at Anson B. Nixon Park for the return of the Kennett Run.
Approximately 100 runners took part in four different runs including 10K, 5K, 1K races and a Kid Pond Run.
“It was a cold and rainy day, but we are so very appreciative of everyone that came out today and for all of sponsors and merchants who have helped to make it a nice event,” said John Ramagano, of East Marlborough.
Ramagano served as this year’s new race director. He is the head track coach, for both indoor and outdoor races, at Kennett High School.
The event is organized by the Kennett Run Charities.
Since its inception, Kennett Run Charities has distributed
nearly $1 million to non-profit agencies, mostly in Southern Chester County, as previously reported.
Participants were given a special runner swag bag with exclusive offers from merchants in town and a 2022 Kennett Run shirt.
And despite the rain, many local businesses in the community still came out with their vendor tables at the park, with
folks cheering runners on as they raced past them.
PoweRunners also completed strength exercises on the stage at Anson B. Nixon Park.
This was the first inperson Kennett Run event since 2019.
Kennett Square resident Mercer Schuchardt brought his daughter, Juniper, to take part in the Kennett Run for the very first time. They raced in the 1K event.
“We’re doing the onemile race,” Schuchardt said. “We’ve always wanted to do it. We’ve always watched people doing this.”
Looking at this daughter, he said, “She just turned five, and she finally feels like she can do this.”
The father-daughter pair said they were both excited for the race to begin. Juniper said she was not afraid of the weather.
Following the run, there was a community gathering at Anson B. Nixon Park, where free beer, pizza, pretzels, hot dogs, soda and other refreshments were available free of charge.
Scores of local nonprofit organizations in southern Chester County will receive funding later this year from Kennett Run Charities. Since its inception, Kennett Run Charities has distributed more than $1 million to non-profit agencies, mostly in southern Chester County. More information on next year’s run at www. kennettrun.net.