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September 9, 2007
ALLENTOWN, BETHLEHEM & EASTON, PA - More than 820 runners participated in the inaugural Via Lehigh River Relay Marathon today, Sunday, September 9, 2007. One hundred and thirty three teams and 153 marathon runners hit the streets running to help raise money for Via of the Lehigh Valley's programs for children and adults with disabilities.
"The support we've received from the community to help raise money for Via's Community and Volunteer Services has been outstanding," said Lisa Walkiewicz, Via Communication Director.
"We've done better than we imagined in our fundraisings efforts and expect our numbers to be in the high $20,000's. For a first year event, we are tremendously pleased with those results and the awareness we've raised about the services we provide for children and adults with disabilities. The Via River Relay benefits our Community and Volunteer services which help adults acquire life skills that are development by being an active and involved member of the community. Via helps adults experience a range of community activities including volunteer and recreational activities."
Via Staff work with individuals so they can volunteer at community organizations of their choice like Project of Easton and the Crayola factory, Walkiewicz added. Adults with disabilities also participate in classes and recreational activities like going to sporting events or catching dinner and a movie. In addition, Via helps adults reaching retirement age find resources in their community, like senior centers and volunteer opportunities, so they can enjoy a fulfilling retirement.
"This is a just a small part of what Via does," said Walkiewicz.
"We also work with children with disabilities, providing vital services so they can learn and grow with their peers. We help adults find jobs in the community and are working to make the transition from high school to the workforce easier for young adults."
It takes a lot to put together a marathon, more than any one organization can do, and the Lehigh Valley has shown how much they support Via by the outpouring of support the Via River Relay has received, Walkiewicz said.
More than 300 volunteers from all over the Lehigh Valley got up early to help runners along the course as marshals, manning water stations and providing moral support along the way.
Marathon runner Amanda DeBlauw, flew in from Sanford, North Carolina to run the Via River Relay and her mother, Nancy Richmond, came all the way from New Hampshire to support her daughter and volunteer on race day.
"When I found out that there was a marathon here, I thought - perfect - I was due to run one," said DeBlauw who's company is doing renovation work for the Four Points by Sheraton in Allentown.
"I've run one every year for the last three years and time was running out for me to run one this year. My mom has been to my previous three marathons and many other races, and wanted to fly down to spend the weekend with me and see me run. She's always been very supportive of my running and my biggest fan!"
Runners from the Lehigh Valley, neighboring counties and eight states as far west as Arizona, participated in the Via River Relay.
Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski started the race bright and early Sunday morning with the help of an Allentown Fire Department truck. And Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan ran his first marathon today.
"Running a marathon has always been one of my goals," said Callahan who ran the 26.2 miles in four hours and 25 minutes.
"'The Via River Relay is a great event for our region that touches all three cities and a number of municipalities. It's a great way for me to support the Valley and most importantly, a great opportunity to help Via raise money so they can continue to provide much-needed services for the Lehigh Valley."
The Awards Ceremony and Finish Festival were kicked off by Easton Mayor Phil Mittman and featured Via River Relay Sponsors as well as amenities for runners. "We're really pleased that Via and the city of Easton are working to be a part of solutions to help disabled citizens of the Lehigh Valley" said Mittman.
The overall female marathon winner with a time of three hours, thirty minutes and 22 seconds was Marie Siebler, age 50 of Nazareth. The overall male marathon winner with a time of three hours, two minutes and 29 seconds was Chris Reed, age 35 of Allentown. Team AIG - PA Best won the relay team competition with a time of 02:28:49 two hours, 28 minutes and 49 seconds. The team from New York City competed in the Men's Open category with teammates of Karl Dusen, Jimmy Farrow, Joe Wiegner, Bill Moss and David Nash. Click here for complete results.
"We really appreciate everyone's involvement in this race and can't wait to see everyone back here for next year's Via River Relay on Sunday, September 7, 2008," said Walkiewicz.
Presenting Sponsors:
- Olympus
- Coordinated Health
- Channel 69 - WFMZ
- Morning Call
- RCN
Supporting Sponsors:
- Harold S. Campbell Foundation
Leg Sponsors:
- Crowne Plaza
- City of Bethlehem
- TechniCom
- Lehigh Valley Road Runners
- Bethlehem Sporting Goods
Corporate Sponsors:
- PenTeleData
- Ironton Telephone
- LaFarge
- City of Easton
- Easton Coach
- Just Born
- Lehigh Valley Amateur Radio Club
- Liquid
- MetLife
- Nature Source
- Power Bar
- Runners World Magazine
- Waitz Corporation
- Waste Management
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit human service agency that provides services for children and adults with disabilities. Via's staff help more than 1,000 individuals and families from birth through retirement focusing in four areas: Children's Services, Community & Volunteer Services, Employment Services and Residential Services. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via and these services.
Via works with children up to age three in their homes and daycares to address disabilities and delays. Via trains daycare center staff so children with disabilities can go to school and learn with their peers. Via finds jobs in the community for adults and provides coaching and training for successful employment. And Via helps people volunteer in the community, participate in leisure activities, and find or purchase affordable, accessible housing. Via believes that personal satisfaction and dignity are achieved through individual success and independence and is committed to helping people live full and productive lives. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via.
Lisa Walkiewicz
Communications Director
L.Walkiewicz@vianet.org • 484-893-5390
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