Run on the Parkway When It's 'Finally Done'

Runners, tighten up your Nikes. You'll soon have a chance to not just see the new Route 202 Parkway, but run on it too.

Montgomery Township is holding a 5K "It's Finally Done Fun Run" on September 9 at 8 a.m.

The cost is $25 through August 20, and $28 through September 5. All proceeds benefit juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

To sign up as a runner, click on this link at the site of Pretzel City Sports.

"Route 202 is done and almost open," said Montgomery Township Public Information Coordinator Stacy Crandell at Monday's supervisors meeting.

"To commemorate this historic event, we’re having a 5K run "It's Finally Done Fun Run" and Family Walk on the parkway. Planning is underway. As of Monday, we have 55 runners."

Sponsors and prize donors are needed, Crandell said.

"Our goal is to get at least 100 runners. That would be great, but even more is better," Crandell said.

Supervisors Chairwoman Candyce Chimera is helping organize the event with Crandell.

"I was at Fleet Feet today, and they will give us eight $25 gift cards as prizes," said Chimera. "(The owner) was talking it up all day long to their runners. They have running groups Tuesday and Thursday nights. She seems to think she can get quite a few for us. I think we'll make our 100." 

Township Manager Larry Gregan said the "It's Finally Done Fun Run" is being promoted as the one and only chance runners will have to actually run on the parkway.

"The trail will always be there, but with this, they will actually be able to run on parkway before it's open. After that, I don’t think we’d ever be able to actually get the raod closed for an event like this."

Gregan said the event has generated a lot of excitement and interest, and Chimera agreed.

"It's so nice back there," she said of the parkway. "It's beautiful. It's a shame cars will be on there soon."

Supervisors Chimera, Joe Walsh and Mike Fox are planning to run. Fox announced his intentions to run Monday night. Crandell handed him a registration form on the spot, much to the delight and amusement of his peers.

"This whole thing was a set up to get me to run," joked Fox. 

Walsh said he would sign up, but might have to attend church that morning. 

"Go Saturday night," said Chimera. "Pray that you survive." 

Chimera thanked all involved for their hard work on the event.

Chimera said the fun run would be advertised on the township cable channel and through e-news. She said Pretzel City Sports has also promoted it through its email news to thousands of its subscribers. 

"That could be why we got so many to sign up so fast," said Chimera.

Pretzel City Sports is based in Reading, PA and provides race timing, promotion, consulting, event design and management services in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.