Amish Country Half Marathon
Proceeds from the eighth annual Amish Country Half Marathon benefit Pure Gift of God, which focuses on helping families with adoption, and the East Holmes Fire Department & EMS, which serves area residents.
Every move you make, every step you take, you’ll be helping children … and the local fire department. On Saturday, Sept. 8, the eighth annual Amish Country Half Marathon will take place to benefit Pure Gift of God, an organization that works with orphan care and adoption, and the East Holmes Fire Department & EMS for the purchase of supplies and equipment.
“We are really excited about the number of runners already signed up,” said Brent Miller, first-year race director for the race. “We have runners registered from across the country and other parts of the world. We have 100 days until race day, and to date we have over 500 people signed up. Mark Fowler and his team did a great job of building a race in past years that folks like to run, and we are thrilled to be building on that.”
Miller said runners from California to Connecticut and Great Britain to Canada will be descending on Holmes County. “Our local economy definitely gets a boost from this event,” he said.
But Pure Gift of God and the fire department get an even bigger boost.
Pure Gift of God’s goal is to help families make adoption possible. The funds raised will help with the adoption process. In addition to providing adoption grants to families, the organization also provides funding to an international children’s home.
The East Holmes Fire Department & EMS is comprised of all volunteers. The funds are earmarked to be utilized wherever the department sees fit. Twenty-five area men and women selflessly provide their time and efforts to the citizens of this community, handling as many as 45 calls each month from area residents.
The half marathon and 10k portion of the race will kick off at 7:30 a.m. with the 5k following shortly thereafter at 8 a.m. Miller said doughnuts and Better Life Coffee will be available before, during and after the race for participants and spectators. Entertainment during the event will include a band at the start/finish line to boost racing morale.
Miller said people are encouraged to enjoy all that Holmes County has to offer after the race, particularly the Ribfest and Harvest Festival Parade going on downtown that day.
“One of our goals is to showcase the beauty of Holmes County and everything it has to offer,” he said. “This event is excellent for the entire community, and whether you’re a runner or a volunteer, there’s plenty of fun to be had.”
Miller said volunteers play a major role in the success of the Amish Country Half Marathon and encourages anyone interested to visit the website at RunInAmishCountry.com or email Brent@RunInAmishCountry.com to learn more and to register to participate.
Also available are sponsorship opportunities, so area businesses can partner in the effort, and play directly to the captive racing audience.
All participating runners receive a long-sleeve tech shirt. Half marathoners will also receive a Taste of Amish Country gift box that features jam from Mrs. Miller’s Homemade Jams, noodles from Mrs. Miller’s Homemade Noodles, cheese from Bunker Hill Cheese, caramel corn from Coblentz Chocolates, cookies from Hershberger’s Farm Market and fry pies from Crust Baking Company.
Miller said the race is great for all runners. Experienced runners will appreciate the challenge of the hills of Holmes County, and newer runners will appreciate the generous four hour time limit to complete it. There will be prizes for the top three male and female finishers in all races, along with age group awards.
“The race follows a unique and challenging route, unlike most races. You’ll experience gorgeous rolling hills, the sprawling Amish countryside and take in some of Ohio’s most beautiful farmland,” Miller said. “And in keeping with Amish Country tradition, we’ll have hot buttered noodles at the finish.”
The eighth annual Amish Country Half Marathon will begin and end at Grace Mennonite Church, 5850 County Highway 77 in Millersburg (near Berlin). Register to participate at RunInAmishCountry.com, where you also can pay your entry fee. Spectators are welcome during the event. You also may call Brent Miller, race director, at 330-231-3846 for more information.