ASHLAND - When it comes to Saturday's DARE Mile, age didn't seem to matter, with runners and walkers ranging from children in kindergarten to senior citizens.
The annual race, now in its 19th year, had another successful run, with 125 participants heading downhill along Walnut Street on the one-mile long course under an overcast sky.
"We have a lot of kindergarten kids here today, which is different, but a very good thing," said Schuylkill County Deputy Sheriff Dennis Kane, who coordinates the DARE (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) program in area schools.
Kane said 80 people pre-registered, with about 50 registering before the race.
Numbers were down from last year's race, which was dedicated to the memory of John "John A" Anczarski, who at 19 was killed after being struck by a car in New Laguna, N.M. during a fundraising bicycle run to raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds. While at North Schuylkill High School, he had served on the DARE Advisory Board.
Running his second DARE Mile was John W. Hetherington, 80, of Ringtown, who was in the second heat with the first group of runners. The first heat was for walkers and young children, while the third was for the elite runners.
"I want to do a 10-minute mile," said Hetherington with a laugh. "I just started running three years ago, so I'm just a beginner."
It was the tribute to Anczarski last year that prompted Hetherington to race in 2010.
"I was involved with the Boy Scouts and he (Anczarski) was a Boy Scout, so that's why I came last year. Before then, I didn't even know this race existed, and I go to races all over. I'm usually in 5Ks, mostly in the Stroudsburg area where my daughter lives."
Hetherington was asked why he started running.
"I was heavy and since then I lost about 20 pounds," said Hetherington.
Hetherington finished second in the 60+ age category.
Also participating were DARE graduates Crystal Reichwein of Pittsburgh and Tara (Scheuren) Bahn of York, who traveled back to run. Both originally from Ashland, Reichwein and Bahn are 1997 and 2000 graduates, respectively. Reichwein's fiance, Bob Fenwick, also was runner in Saturday's race.
"I've been back to race in the past three years, but I've also been here other years," said Reichwein. "It's a fun race, and I get to come home for a weekend."
"At least for the past seven years," said Bahn. "My husband and I started the year were we married, and tomorrow is our anniversary. It's kind of a tradition now to come back. And it's a good chance to run a fast time. You can brag about your time without saying it's downhill."
Bahn said her father, Russell Sheuren, has been in the race for many years. He finished in first place on Saturday in the 60+ age category at 6 minutes, 11 seconds.
The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), which is coordinated locally by the Schuylkill County Sheriff's Office, was founded in 1983 in Los Angeles and came to the county in the early 1990s. Working with schools, DARE provides kids with the skills they need to avoid involvement in drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. The DARE Mile helps raise funds for the program in local schools.
The course begins at the 2400 block of Walnut Street, with the runners/walkers moving east to Fifth Street. The first two blocks are slightly uphill, then the rest of the way is a steep decline.
After reaching the finish line, everyone moved to Devito's Italian Eatery for the announcement of winners and awards. First place winners in each age category are given a trophy, with those placing in second and third receive medals.
Kane thanked the sponsors for their generous support of the race each year.