Residents Enter Relay Team in Garden Spot Village Marathon

Organizers encourage active health and wellness at all ages

NEW HOLLAND, Pa. — Mar. 9, 2010 — In the 1962 film The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, the marathon was a metaphor for getting through life on one’s own. In contrast, for residents at Garden Spot Village, the second annual Garden Spot Village Marathon on Apr. 10 is an opportunity to enjoy camaraderie, share an experience and stay active. At least one group of residents at the retirement community will walk the course as part of a relay team, and a second team is forming.

“There’s quite an interest this year,” says Bill Neumann who will walk the
first 6.5-mile leg of the 26.2-mile marathon course as a part of one of the
resident relay teams he is organizing. After he passes the baton to the next
team member, Neumann plans to continue the marathon. Last year he completed 21 miles with little prior preparation. Since then, he has been walking regularly, varying walks of 15 miles with shorter walks of 5 miles.

Just eight days before last year’s race, Neumann asked Scott Miller, race
director as well as director of marketing at Garden Spot Village, why the
community hadn’t entered a team in the event. Miller suggested that Neumann organize one—and so he did. He pulled together a relay team of people who were each willing to cover 6.5 miles, plus a back-up person in case someone couldn’t finish his or her leg.

This year, Neumann has brought the residents together again—himself, Tom Plitt, E.J. Rittersbach, Art Saunders, Edward Scott and Noel Stephens. Team members range in age from 70 to 85.

Neumann is also organizing a second, larger team that will enable residents to participate in two-mile segments. So far, the Garden Spot Two-Milers team has 10 members.

The marathon is a wellness initiative for Garden Spot Village.

“We feel it is important to encourage people to remain active regardless of
age,” said Scott Miller. “There is something for everyone, whether you are a beginner or experienced, a leisure or competitive runner, or even a walker.” said Miller.

This year, participants may choose a half-marathon course if they prefer.
Both courses begin and end on the 104-acre campus of the retirement
community at 433 S. Kinzer Ave.

There is also plenty of space for family, friends and spectators. This year,
a food court will offer a variety of fare for purchase. Official start for
the marathon is 8 a.m.

For more information, or to register for the race, visit
www.gardenspotvillagemarathon.org or contact assistant race director Andrea Witkowski at 717-989-2300 or awitkowski@gardenspotvillage.org.

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