Hundreds of runners expected at annual race

The oldest race in central Pennsylvania, the Sue Crowe Memorial Race (originally called the Arts Fest Race), began in the 1970s, but it wasn’t always the race runners know today.

“The original Arts Fest race was actually a 10-miler,” said this year’s first-time director, Jake Clements. “That was the time when running was very popular in this country and the Arts Fest race was developed in response to the local demand.”

Later changed to a 10K (though the 10-miler was added back eventually), the race was renamed in honor of a prominent local runner who died in 2006. Sue Crowe had won the 10-miler three times and the 10K twice. She was not only the first woman to win a total of five times but also a beloved running coach to young competitors.

This year, three separate races will be held (in addition to two Kids Fun Runs), including a 10-miler, 10K and 5K, all beginning between 8-9 a.m. on July 16. Between 450-700 runners are expected, across all ages and demographics. In fact, Clements said there’s one runner who participated last year, at the age of 96, who is planning on returning.

Clements and his team have been working hard to ensure everything is ready for race day.

“With construction being a frequent event on campus in the summers, the courses have to change a little bit every year to avoid those areas,” he said. “Those courses then have to be measured and approved by university police, the Penn State Golf Tournament director, Penn State Office of Risk Management, the College Township and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Awards have to be ordered and a timing company has to be reserved. A registration website needs to be set up and sponsorship has to be acquired.”

This year’s sponsors include Penn State Health, Brown & Associates, Re/Max Centre Realty, Nestlerode & Loy and Tapia Technology Consulting.

On race day, volunteers come together to assist with registration, packet pickups, signage, food, water stations, cleanup and more.

However, it’s clear the race is more than worth the effort at the end of the day, as it’s become a prominent part of Arts Fest.

This story was originally published July 10, 2017 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Hundreds of runners expected at annual race."