Lancaster County's First Marathon Begins and Ends at Garden Spot Village

275 participants already registered for 26.2-mile April 4 Boston Marathon qualifier

NEW HOLLAND, Pa. — Mar. 22, 2009 — Early in the morning of April 4, hundreds of runners, relay teams and even walkers will set off from Garden Spot Village’s Legacy Garden and attempt to complete a 26.2-mile, USA Track & Field (USATF)-certified course that circles through the farmlands at the foot of Welsh Mountain before returning to the 104-acre campus at 433 S. Kinzer Ave.

The event is the first 26.2-mile marathon run completely in Lancaster County and is believed to be the first marathon ever hosted by a retirement community.

Already, 275 participants from 10 states are registered to compete in the event, which is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. More than 300 participants of all ages are expected.

Equal rewards for masters
Cash awards will be given in four categories: Men Overall, Women Overall, Men 50-plus and Women 50-plus. In each category, awards are $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third. The Garden Spot Village Marathon is unique in that the senior awards, known as masters, are the same amounts as the overall awards.

“We feel it is important to encourage adults to remain active regardless of age, and we want to recognize the athleticism of our senior runners,” said Scott Miller, director of marketing for Garden Spot Village and race director, as well as a marathoner himself.

Registered participants include Alan Steggles, a 70-year-old runner from Ohio who has completed more than 240 marathons. Another is 57-year-old Clay Shaw, of York who has completed 160 marathons in 18 countries, and his wife, Karen Miller, who is running her 84th marathon with this race.

Feeding for energy
Garden Spot Village will hold a pasta dinner for participants the Friday night before the event. The community’s nutritionist, Eileen Crone, helped plan the menu—and is running in the marathon the next day.

On race day, individual runners and four-person relay teams start at 8 a.m.; an early start for walkers will be held at 6:30 a.m. Race packs are available at 6 a.m. Senator Mike Brubaker (R-36) is scheduled to give the starting signal.

Benefit for the Benevolent Fund
Proceeds from the marathon benefit the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund, which helps support residents who need financial assistance. The event’s premier sponsors are Garden Spot Village and Garden Spot Village at Home, which offers personal care and companionship services in the greater New Holland area. The Challenge sponsors are Commerce Bank, Fulton Bank, New Holland Auto Group, Rogers & Associates and Stauffer’s Drug Store. Supporting sponsors include Feeser’s Food Distributors, Kegel’s Produce, New Clients, Pioneer, Quickie, Singer, Triangle Communications and Turkey Hill.

Volunteers are needed for various positions before, during and after the race on Apr. 4. To volunteer, contact Barbara Kovacs at 717-355-6204 or email bkovacs@gardenspotvillage.org.

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