Carnegie's Volunteer Fire Department 5K gets green light despite closures
Despite the planned closures of Parkway West ramps, Carnegie's annual Volunteer Fire Department 5K run/walk will return April 25.
Mayor Jack Kobistek said PennDOT committed to not have a full weekend closure the date of the event.
The work in Carnegie, which is expected to be completed by December, will widen the interchange lanes.
Public works employees donate their time, while police monitor the roads as part of their daily shift.
Carnegie Police Chief Jeff Kennedy said extra officers will be used for the event, which will close roads for about 90 minutes, but the department will attempt to avoid overtime as it is a charity event.
Festivities will last from 7 until 10 a.m. with the race beginning at 8 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 9:15 a.m.
“It's not a major inconvenience,” Kennedy said. “The 5K is a nice event for visitors and is kind of a running social.”
The 3.1-mile course is primarily flat, traveling throughout Carnegie and begins and ends at the borough building, 1 Veterans Way.
Production of the event costs about $4,000 to host each year. The event raised $17,429 in 2014. To date, $88,015 has been raised since the inaugural year in 2006. All proceeds of the charity event go toward the volunteer fire department.
Kobistek credited the low production cost to the more than two dozen volunteers and donations and sponsorships they receive from local businesses.
“This is truly a community event,” he said. “We can't thank volunteers enough.”
New to the race this year is addition of two new categories — for participants under 14 and for those over 60.
Roads will reopen as soon as the final walker crosses the finish line, Kobistek said.
Applications can be found on the borough's website or by stopping by the borough building. The registration cost is $15 if participants sign up before April 3, then $20 leading up to race day. No credit cards are accepted.
Participants receive a T-shirt.
The race attracted more than 400 runners in 2014. This year's goal is to hit the 500 mark, Kobistek said.
A disc jockey will be on hand and prizes will be distributed.
This year, Kobistek is inviting local businesses to set up tents for $25 to solicit their wares to runners and attendees.
“We're hoping to invite more of the business district to participate this year,” Kobistek said.
Students at Carlynton High School can get a discounted registration rate of $10 through teacher Norman Palko.
Water stations will be located along the route. Participants can bring their dogs as well.
Alex Felser is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-388-5810 or afelser@tribweb.com.
