5K run part of Halloween tradition in North Strabane
In its 12th year, the Jack O’Lantern Jog and Skeleton Stroll is becoming one of the top Halloween traditions in North Strabane Township.
About 350 runners and walkers participated in last year’s event, which raised more than $20,000 for scholarships for graduating seniors at Canon-McMillan High School. It’s one of the most important outings for Community Scholarship Foundation of Canon-McMillan, a volunteer-run organization that awarded 80 scholarships last year.
This year’s race takes place at 9 a.m. Saturday, with Central Van & Storage, 595 Meadowlands Blvd., serving as the starting and finish point.
“People really like the race. We don’t hear many bad things about it,” said Jill Sabol, who’s in charge of making the event run smoothly. “People keep coming back, and one of the reasons why is the baskets.”
Many 5K races offer contestants T-shirts and finisher medals, which are given at the Jack O’Lantern Jog. Some hold raffles for modest prizes. The Jack O’Lantern Jog, which covers 3.1 miles, takes prize-giving to another level.
There are so many prizes that a box truck is needed to move everything in place a day early. Steelers and Penguins tickets are available. There are televisions, about 120 Chinese auctions baskets, a Segway and even a box of steaks. The prizes are so popular that some enter the race just to hang out in the parking lot for a chance at leaving with something.
“Ultimately, our goal is to raise a lot of money for scholarships,” said Tami Jaworski, a sixth-grade teacher at Cecil Intermediate School and a member of the Community Scholarship Foundation of Canon-McMillan.
An avid runner, Jaworski has been involved with the Jack O’Lantern Jog since 2006. “The prizes are part of what makes it unique,” she said. “Another part of it is community support. There’s tons of food, tons of prizes. A lot of people and businesses in the community offer support. That attracts people, too.”
So does the timing.
Just two days before Halloween, expect to see plenty of costumes.
“A ton of people dress up, they really do,” Sabol said. “It’s always run on Halloween weekend, so we get a lot of costumes, especially the younger ones.”
Children are encouraged to participate in the Skeleton Stroll, a 3/4-mile fun run/walk, which isn’t as strenuous as the hilly 5K course.
A difficult course doesn’t mean the adults don’t have fun, either. In the past, older participants have shown up as the Pope, Tigger from “Winnie the Pooh,” various super heroes and even maids. The better the weather, the wilder the costumes.
“People like to talk about what a great course it is. It’s very hilly,” Jaworski said. “There are all sorts of different costumes. We get all sorts of people, from hard-core serious runners to first-timers. It’s great.”