Ohio MCC Run-Walk 4 Relief 5k focus is on water
Vertical Runner is doing the timing for the Ohio Mennonite Central Committee 5k Run-Walk 4 Relief, which last year attracted 110 runners, walkers and even a unicycle rider.
The Ohio Mennonite Central Committee 5k Run-Walk 4 Relief is a 5k that begins and ends at the Wayne County Fair Grounds at 199 Vanover St. in Wooster on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 8 a.m.
One morning in January, Jennifer Hartzler of Marshallville went to wash her hair in the sink in her bathroom, and nothing came out of the spigot.
“I had recently had the hot water heater replaced,” Hartzler said. “I could hear the air in the line, and some water sputtered out, but the sputter quickly turned to air."
Hartzler said she thought ahead, whether there would be enough hot water for a shower to wash her hair or to make coffee.
"In Ohio we aren’t generally concerned about having water for us to use," Hartzler said. “We assume there will be water at any time of the day or night."
Hartzler said in Ethiopia, India or Burkina Faso, gathering water for use is a daily fact of life.
The Mennonite Central Committee, of which Hartzler is a board member, has long assisted villages in digging wells to provide safe, clean drinking water. MCC also has helped community gardens by providing deep wells for growing food and watering plots, according to Hartzler.
It was Hartzler’s own experience with a personal water shortage that led her to become convinced this year’s MCC Relief Sale 5k race should focus on water and especially the plastic waste occurring with water usage in this country.
Hartzler was in a position to make change, as she is a member of the MCC board that runs the annual Relief Sale. She personally coordinates the 5K run, as she has for the last three years.
The 5K is for runners or walkers.
“We encourage everyone to bring his or her own water bottle to the race,” Hartzler said. “Even if they are using individual plastic bottles, we will have facilities to clean them and clean water for filling them. Together we can reduce the use of plastics in our small corner of the world.”
Hartzler said this time around she is more aware of what is needed to pull off a successful event. “I have upgraded the route,” she said, “and Vertical Runner is doing the timing for us. I hope we will get more participants (last year there were 110). I’m hoping for 130.”
For the first six winners of the race (first three men and three women), a custom jug is awarded that is made by a local potter. Each winner will choose the one they like.
Hartzler said all participants will receive a T-shirt and magnet with the race logo.
“Last year we had families, older folks, young ones in running strollers and even unicycles,” Hartzler said.
Registration for the event can be completed online at www.runsignup.com/Race/OH/Dalton/RunforRelief5K.
There is a $20 charge to register for the race until July 28; thereafter until the day of the race, it is $25.
The race corresponds with the annual Mennonite Relief Sale, which is always the first weekend in August. This is the 52nd year of the sale.
“We started at the Central Christian School in Kidron," Hartzler said. "We outgrew that space, and we moved to the Buckeye Event Center in Dalton. Then they had to use that space sooner than anticipated, and the sale moved to the Wayne County Fairgrounds in 2016."
The sale website is www.ohiomccreliefsale.org.
The sale will feature the usual 100 or so handmade quilts for auction as well as tools, books, plants, and even a children’s auction and play area.
“There will be lots of food there including Hartzler’s Dairy and Lerch’s Donuts,” Hartzler said.
There also will be a large variety of baked goods.
“Friday night there is a volleyball tournament by the young people, which is a lot of fun,” Hartzler said.
Parking is free, and there is no admission charge.