Event Description

Inaugural Pottsville Cross Country and Track Alumni and Friends Run

When?
November 09, 2024
10 a.m. start (9 a.m. race day registration)

Who is this for?
This is a fundraiser for the current PAHS Boys and Girls Cross Country Program. All donations will be given to the program.

Any of the following are welcome to participate

• Any PAHS cross country or track alumni
• Any current PAHS cross country or track scholar-athlete
• Any parent of a current or past team member
• Any current or past teacher or administrator of the Pottsville School District who followed the team
• Anyone who considers themselves a friend of the program

Fee?
We will not have a fee for this event. Instead, we are asking for a donation that you can afford. Yes, that's right. We want to make this an opportunity for all Pottsville cross country and track alumni whether you graduated in the ‘60s or just graduated last year. Whether you donate $100 or $5, any donation is appreciated. All monies collected will be donated to support the current cross country teams at Pottsville High School.

If you are looking for some guidance on how much to donate, the Alumni Race Committee challenges you to use the following suggestions:

• If you ran for Coach Sterner (ie the OG and retired) - $75 and up
• If you ran for Coach Liddle (ie maybe retired or retirement count down has started) - $50 and up
• If you ran for Coach McGinley (ie not yet thinking of retirement because it's too far off) - $25 and up
• If you ran for Coach Brennan (recent graduates just getting started) - $5 and up

Can’t Make The Run? Can I still make a donation to support the current program?
Yes, you can do so via the online registration.

How do I register?
Online is available via this website and will close on November 9. Race Day registration will at the Pottsville High School Track beginning at 9 a.m.

Where is the course?
This is about reliving your glory days ... or at least as close as we can get to those glory days! We are using the current Pottsville High School cross country course, which is now 5k. But we reserve the right to alter the course if necessary. The start and finish will be on the Pottsville stadium track.

Is this a race, run, or walk?
We know some will want to compete, while others will want to support the program while dealing with cranky old bones. It doesn’t matter if you race, run, or walk the course. We’re all there to raise funds for the current Pottsville Cross Country Program. The event will be timed for all participants ... either with a stop watch or a calendar for some.

Will this be like a road race or like a high school cross country meet?
We plan to take you back to the days of running dual meets in high school. So, you won't have a bib with a race number and chip like you would in a local road race. And ... since, we want to make this feel very much like it did when we all were running for the Tide in high school, participants will grab a “popsicle stick” as they cross the finish line on the Pottsville track. The stick will indicate overall finishing place. Your name, graduation year, and place will be recorded at a station when you hand in the stick.

Are there awards?
We're working on this, but for sure there will be Alumni Team scoring for bragging rights. Team scoring will be by decades of graduation using the Long-Short XC scoring format. The top three alumni finishers from each decade based upon graduation year will score as a team to represent the decade while the 4th and 5th runners will displace. Men and women will score separately, and then added together to get a final decade score. The decade with the lowest combined score claims bragging rights as being the best decade (or at least the fastest on the day of the run). Bragging rights are the key award for the day!

Will Athletic Trainers be available?
There will be no athletic trainers available. Bring your own oxygen and motion lotion for those of you who can remember how to make it. In all seriousness, emergencies will be handled with a 911 call. Please try not to collapse at the finish line.

Can I shower in the locker room afterwards?
There will be no showers available after the race. So if you’re planning on going to the after-race party, bring body wipes.

Will water be available?
Available at the start and finish only, but feel free to carry a bottle during the race if you need to.

Can I do a tailgater with my past teammates?
Please do so as long as no alcohol is involved. The PAHS Athletic Office is allowing us to use school property for this event as long as alcohol is not involved.

Where can I park?
Parking will be available on the middle school property and on the streets around the high school.

Are there any post-race events planned?
Of course! We’ll be picking a place off school property to “hangout” that afternoon to continue fellowship and fun. It won't be official, but definately a place to grab something to drink and eat. Look for an announcement on the day of the alumni run.

Additional notes from the Alumni Race Committee
Let’s remember this is for the kids! We all have fond memories of running for Pottsville thanks to the dedication of Coaches Sterner, Liddle, McGinley, and Brennan. You can honor those memories and coaches by participating in this inaugural event, or by making a donation if you can’t attend. Give as generously as you can afford and help support the current cross country program.

Just be there! Whether you race, run, jog, walk, or want to hang out, come join us. Here’s your chance to catch up with your past teammates and other members of the PAHS XC Alumni Family!

The PAHS XC Alumni Race Committee thanks the PAHS Athletic Department and the Pottsville Area School District for helping to make this inaugural event possible. Roll Tide!