What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by dashing through the dusty paths of local farmland, enjoying the view and the breeze? The Willow Health and Wellness Center is teaming up with CNY Solar Inc., Emmi and Sons and Reeves Farms for the Earth Day Half Marathon and 5K. The race takes place April 19 at Emmi and Sons on West Genesee Road in B’ville.
Mike Samoraj, who runs Willow HWC with his wife, Michelle, said the Earth Day Half Marathon was inspired by the Lake Effect Half Marathon, which took place in February. Samoraj organized the E-Race Cancer Half Marathon and 5K back in September, so he dreamed of a spring or summer event like E-Race and Lake Effect.
“Now, it’s blossomed into a true Earth Day event,” Samoraj said.
In addition to a sponsorship from CNY Solar Inc., which will help raise awareness of solar power at the race, the Earth Day Half Marathon has a few other green initiatives. Boy Scout Troop 119 will clean up the race course prior to the event. Willow HWC is also holding a sneaker, boot and shoe drive for the Rescue Mission.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Cato-Meridian Backpack Program, the Oswego-Fulton chapter of Blessings in a Backpack and other local causes. Runners are encouraged to bring donations of clothing and nonperishable food.
“It’s kind of a ‘share-the-wealth’ thing,” Samoraj said.
While the weather has been decidedly more lion than lamb lately, Samoraj is in the spring mindset.
Moving from the cozy couch to the track can be daunting, but Fleet Feet Sports is offering No Boundaries, a 10-week couch-to-5K running program.
“We pride ourselves on the group aspect,” No Boundaries trainer Mandy Howard said. “It’s like this big, huge team. People feel accountability and support. If you do it alone, there’s a greater risk of failure.”
No Boundaries is a walk/run interval training program that gradually increases the amount of time spent running.
The 2015 No Boundaries program began March 21.
If you can’t get in on the spring fun, there’s a fall edition of No Boundaries. The program is $99 per person for 10 sessions.
For more information, visit fleetfeetsyracuse.com/training.
“To me, there’s nothing more quintessential to Earth Day than trees and fields,” he said of the race’s pastoral setting.
Tony Emmi, general manager of Emmi and Sons, said he knew Samoraj through the Greater Baldwinsville and Camillus Farmers Market. He and Andrew Reeves of Reeves Farms offered the use of their land for the Earth Day Half Marathon course.
Emmi said the race is a way to “get people back out on the land” and acquainted with local agriculture.
“They can see some of the farm and think about where their food comes from,” he said.
“Farmers are stewards of the land,” Emmi added. “We want to take good care of our natural resources.”
The Earth Day Half Marathon and 5K kicks off at 8:30 a.m. April 19 at Emmi and Sons, 1482 W. Genesee Road, Baldwinsville. Registration for the half marathon is $48 and the 5K costs $32.90. Visit willowhwc.com for more information and to sign up.
Runners can pick up their race packets, learn about alternative energy sources and enjoy a little downtime before the race at Willow HWC’s Down to Earth Runners Expo, which will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Willow HWC, 3090 Belgium Road, B’ville. There will be local vendors and live entertainment.
