VILLAGE OF EAST SYRACUSE – Just under 500 participants turned out in 70-degree weather on Nov. 6 for the 16th annual Burn Run held by the East Syracuse Fire Department.
Between its 5K and 10K sign-ups, the event raises money every year to support the Burn Foundation of Central New York and the Clark Burn Center at Upstate University Hospital.
The president of the village’s fire department and the Burn Run committee Paul Knierman said race registrants came from as far as New Jersey and Ontario, Canada for this year’s run. One 10K participant said that autumn is an optimal season for running and that the fundraiser makes for a “good cause.”
Inside the fire station at 148 Sanders Creek Parkway, the American Red Cross’ Disaster Cycle Services informed people that their members respond to fires and other disasters to give those affected access to food, clothing and shelter.
At separate tables the organization Cancer Fighter collected money for volunteer firefighters in Onondaga, Madison, Cortland and Oswego counties, and Upstate’s burn center handed out information about installing smoke detectors and preventing burn injuries in the home.
The Burn Foundation raises funds for burn survivors ages five to 18 to go to a four-day summer camp near Lowville called Camp Triumph. The Burn Run originated mainly as an incentive for keeping East Syracuse firefighters physically fit according to James Ennis, the foundation’s chair. He said it has since evolved into an event for the whole family.