More than 100 Run4Sam
Race honors former Berks cross country runner
More than 100 runners spent Sunday morning, Aug. 15, participating in the 13th annual Run4Sam event at Gring’s Mill Recreation Area in Spring Township.
The annual race raises funds to give back to the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department, as well as other local causes, in honor of Samuel Brooklyn Reed, a former Schuylkill Valley High School cross country runner. When Reed was attending the University of Pittsburgh, he was killed by a hit-and-run drunk driver on Sept. 1, 2007.
“Sam would run on this trail, it was such a special place to him,” said Lori Shober, Run4Sam committee member and close friend of the Reed family. “He just loved running, and we just want to keep Sam’s memory alive. We’re doing it through this and other things.”
Last year’s event was canceled due to the COVID pandemic. The pandemic also caused a few changes to this year’s activities, which included a 4-mile race, 2-mile walk and a kids’ fun run.
“We are so pleased to be able to hold our event this year, although we made the decision to
eliminate the 10k race and make a few other changes due to COVID concerns,” said Peggy Reed, race director and Sam’s mother, in an announcement prior to the run. “It allows us to continue Sam’s legacy with our mission of ‘giving back’ to the park systems and the local community.”
Proceeds from past events have supported a grant for riparian installations, funded the construction of two portage ramps and a large pavilion, supplied defibrillators for the parks and bike rangers and provided many of the flowering redbuds, dogwoods and hydrangea trees in Berks County parks.
In addition to funding improvements to Gring’s Mill and a scholarship, Run4Sam gave $1,000 each to the Greater Reading Alliance of Community Theaters, The Literacy Council of Reading-Berks and Grey Muzzle Manor this year.
“It’s really nice for the runners to be able to come out and support giving back to charities while doing something we like to do,” said Allison Bayless of Pottstown, before the start of the race.
For Bayless, this was the first time participating in Run4Sam. Joining Bayless was Rose Petrie of Pottstown, who she said talked her into registering for the
race this year. The two are training for an event in October.
“I’ve run it before,” Petrie said. “It’s a good run to do.”
Brendan McGarry Jr., of Reading, had similar reasons for running in this year’s race as he is training for an upcoming event in September.
“I support them every year,” he said.
All three were glad to be able to run with other people after the past year and a half.
“It’s different running a race than running by yourself, it’s a whole different feeling,” McGarry said. “Running people are actually fun. Especially if you’re not making it towards the end and everybody’s running by you or running up to you, and just saying, ‘Come on, let’s go,’ or ‘Move it, you only got a half mile left.’”
Many could be seen doing just that as those who completed their race stayed around the finish line encouraging their fellow racers and congratulating them as they finished.
Cody Saez of Mount Penn, was another returnee to the event.
“I just like the adrenaline, the endurance and just being outside,” Saez said. “This is my fifth time doing (this race).”
Saez was joined by his wife, Cheyanne King, who was participating in Run4Sam for the first time.
“I like to challenge myself,” she said. “I was never
a runner, I was always a swimmer in school. So I like a new challenge.”
As the runners lined up at the starting line, Peggy Reed wished everyone a wonderful race and thanked them for coming before finding her spot among the runners. And then they were off.
Just over 20 minutes later, the first runner could be seen making their way back across the bridge toward
the finish line. Luke Seymour, 17, was the first to cross the finish line at just slightly more than 22 minutes. The first female runner to cross the finish line was Ashlee Whitmoyer, 33.
Medals were awarded to the top overall male and female finishers as well as the top three male and female finishers in each age group.
More information on Run4Sam is available at run4sam.net.