Shippensburg’s homecoming was kicked off with the 37th Annual 5K/10K race, put on by SU’s Army Reserves Officer Training Corps (ROTC) “Raider” Battalion on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The race, which attracted about 100 participants, took place prior to the homecoming football game on Saturday morning.

Race staff consisted of ROTC cadets as well as representatives from Timber Hill Timing, who provided ankle-bands that recorded the runners’ times.

The race has taken place every single year since the Raider Battalion was officially recognized as an on-campus organization in 1980.

Runners could choose between a 5 kilometer or a 10 kilometer race with cadets providing directions for both races.

After the race, a few runners voiced their thoughts.

A couple from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Peter Whalen, a colonel in the Army Reserve, and his wife, Maria Whalen, both ran the 10K for the first time at Shippensburg University.

Col. Whalen complimented the ROTC’s organization of the race and safety precautions; however, he voiced his concern about some vehicles that did not yield to the runners and drove faster than he appreciated.

Despite their few critiques of the event, the couple was quick to compliment the view of the run. “The scenery was nice and it was fun running past the farms and seeing the cows,” Maria Whalen said.

The race loop highlighted Shippensburg’s campus, as well as the Pennsylvanian fields surrounding the campus along Britton Road and Fogelsanger Road.

Cadet Stephen Pernelli, the cadet officer in charge of the event, was pleased with the end result.

“It was a lot of planning and hard work…many early mornings and late nights, but I think overall it was pretty successful,” Pernelli said. “It was good to see everybody in the community working together for a good cause.”

Pernelli described the turnout as larger than the previous year with runners of all ages participating.

He explained that with advertising by the Cumberland Valley Race Series and local advertising through campus television, flyers and student emails, the word spread through the community.

Assistant race organizer, cadet Noah Hartzel, explained that with road guards, water points and emergency responders available, the race staff was ready for any circumstances and catered to the runners’ safety.

Maj. Chris Morton, chair of the military science department, showed pride in the work of his cadets.

“[The] ROTC cadets did a fantastic job putting together the 5K/10K race as an opening event for Shippensburg’s homecoming,” Morton said.

“The race benefitted Azalea Charities, ROTC and the local community as a whole. It is not often times that we get this sort of opportunity to involve the public in our events, and we were happy to deliver a great morning.”

Proceeds from the race went to Azalea Charities, a non-profit organization which benefits service members wounded while fighting.

If you are interested in participating in a race, details can be found on the Cumberland Valley Race Series website at www.cvraceseries.us. To donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, go to www.azaleacharities.org/. 

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