March 27, 2008

YSU to Host 13th First Place Bank "Run with the Penguins" Sunday

    Youngstown -- The Youngstown State track and field program will host the 13th Annual First Place Bank "Run with the Penguins" this Sunday.
    The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. from in front of Beeghly Center on the YSU campus. Participants can either participate in the 5K run or 1-mile walk.
    There will be $200 in cash and close to $1,000 worth of special awards and prizes available to winners of different divisions. Awarded categories include winners of the nine different age groups, the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and mile walk, first-place male and female student, first-place male and female YSU alumni, the winner of the 200-plus pound Clydesdale division and the top male and female finishers in the challenged division.
    The course runs along Fifth Avenue in Youngstown past Wick Park and Crandall Park and returns along the same path to the 50 yard line of Stambaugh Stadium.
    The pre-registration fee is $10 while registration the day of the race in the front lobby of Beeghly Center is $12. There is a $40 family rate for groups of four or more, and parking will be $5 in YSU lots. Food will be available to all participants.
    The 5K course record of 15:17 is held by current YSU assistant coach Matt Folk, and the top women's 5K time is 19:44 by Laura Thomas.
    For more information or to register, call YSU head track and field coach Brian Gorby at (330) 519-7591 or contact the YSU Olympic Sports office at (330) 941-2370.