Third annual event to sees great turnout for 5K, 10K and 15K races
(WATERTOWN, NY) – The Volunteer Transportation Center Foundation has announced the return of the Black River Trail Run raised $4,450 to help provide transportation services for those in need in the North Country.
The event – a 5K/10K/15K race on the Black River Trail in Jefferson County – was hosted May 13 by Willow Running, an organization based in Baldwinsville that hosts events across the state to raise money for various nonprofit organizations. The event saw nearly 250 runners participate and was part of the Dick’s Sporting Goods Family Fit Running Series.
“We are ecstatic our friends at Willow Running put on another fantastic event that not only provided a great running experience for participants but raised an amazing amount of money to help the Volunteer Transportation Center,” said Jeremiah S. Papineau, the VTC’s Director of Communications and Foundation Director. “Race Director Mike Samoraj and his team did another phenomenal job hosting this event.”
Last year, the Black River Trail Run saw approximately 250 runners participate, raising $3,500 to help the support the VTC in its mission to “provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.”
The top three finishers of the 5K portion of the event were Sean Martinek of Watertown in third place with a time of 18:17.70; Timothy Stahlnecker of Waterloo in second place with a time of 39:27.8; and Jack Natali Jr. of Clayton in first place with a time of 16:59.73. The top three finishers of the 10K portion of the event were Aubrie Russell of Spencer with a time of 43:53.6; Jason Rudd of Rodman in second place with a time of 43:09.3 and Timothy Stahlnecker of Waterloo in first place with a time of 39:27.8. The top three finishers of the 15K Combo for the event were Reggie Rawls of Baldwinsville in third place with a time of 1:07:47; Corey Allen of Loretta, Pa., in second place with a time of 1:05:42; and Timothy Stahlnecker of Waterloo in first place with a time of 57:26.
Complete results for this year’s Black River Trail Run may be found online through the Willow Running website, accessible at https://bit.ly/Black-River-Trail-Run, and clicking on the “Results” tab at the top of the page.
Sponsors for this year’s event included All American Real Estate NNY LLC; Bad Apple Saloon; Black Horse Group, LLC; Carthage Savings & Loan; Cesario Family Dental Center; Chimera Integrations; Croghan Meat Market; Gouverneur Savings & Loan Association; Homes Realty of Northern New York; Knowlton Technologies, LLC; Northern Credit Union; Samaritan Medical Center; SeaComm Federal Credit Union; Service Plus Automotive; Sliders Food Mart; Waite Toyota; Watertown Internists; Watertown Savings Bank; and Wratten’s RVs. Additional support was provided by Garland City Beer Works and Fairfield by Marriott Watertown Thousand Islands.
The Black River Trail Run was part of Willow Running’s “North Country Challenge,” sponsored by Marble Key Realty, which included the Thousand Islands Half-Marathon in Alexandria Bay last month and includes the upcoming 18.12 Challenge in Sackets Harbor, set for Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27. For more information about the Sackets Harbor 18.12 Challenge, go to www.willowrunning.com.
ABOUT WILLOW RUNNING
Willow Running’s mission is to offer a high quality experience that goes beyond the actual race event. While unique courses, “off the beaten path” locations and runner safety are always a priority, we also offer top notch swag and super fun post-race festivities. It’s that signature blend of run and fun that aims to inspire participants to better health and greater fulfillment. For more information, visit www.willowrunning.com.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION CENTER
The Volunteer Transportation Center, Inc. (VTC), established in 1991, drives thousands of miles each year assisting community members in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties and beyond. Over the last 30 years, this essential non-profit organization has provided rides to health care appointments, food sources and other critical needs destinations for residents.
In 2022, volunteer drivers provided 26,487 charitable trips over 878,240 miles in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. Of those miles, 376,604 helped those in Jefferson County, 137,743 in Lewis County, and 363,893 in St. Lawrence County. That equated to approximately $439,120 in mileage reimbursement for our volunteers. The staff, boards of directors and volunteer drivers look forward to a time when transportation to community activities and services is accessible to all North Country residents regardless of economic or specialized needs. But for now the mission drives on — striving to provide transportation to health, wellness and critical needs destinations utilizing volunteers and mobility management for anyone who has barriers to transportation.
For more information about how you can help the Volunteer Transportation Center, about its upcoming events, or to become a volunteer driver, contact the agency in Jefferson and Lewis Counties at 315-788-0422, in St. Lawrence County at 315-714-2034, or Western New York at 585-250-5030. Volunteers drive their own cars, set their own hours and receive mileage reimbursement but, more importantly, make a difference in the community.
To learn more, visit www.volunteertransportationcenter.org.