Largest runner turnout is expected for charity run
Hundreds of runners and walkers will hit the streets in New Philadelphia and Dover on April 6 and 7 for the 17th annual Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Run for Home.
Hundreds of runners and walkers will hit the streets in New Philadelphia and Dover on April 6 and 7 for the 17th annual Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Run for Home. All proceeds from the weekend will benefit Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio building projects in Tuscarawas County. In the last six years, the event has raised $256,000 for Habitat.
Organizers are expecting the largest turnout since the 2020 event was conducted in a virtual format because of the COVID-19 pandemic. All activities are headquartered at Tuscora Park in New Philadelphia starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 6 when the doors will open at the park dining hall for registration and packet pickup.
The first event is a free kids run at 9 a.m. “This year’s kids run will feature some fun activities along the route centered around the solar eclipse coming up April 8,” Race Director Matt Ritzert said. “The kids will orbit the earth, create an eclipse, throw the moon at the sun and more while running around the park’s ride area.”
The kids run will be followed by a 1-mile fun run and 5k and 10k races. Other activities include face painting and a photo booth. “We want to make the day a fun time for the entire family,” Ritzert said.
The weekend will continue Sunday, April 7 when the half-marathon and team relay begin at 7:30 a.m. The route will take participants from Tuscora Park to Dover City Park before finishing on the track inside Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium.
The pace team from Fleet Feet of Wooster will participate to help runners reach their goals. “We want to make everyone aware that during the race from 7:30-11 a.m. that morning, there will be some roads and lanes closed along the route. We ask anyone driving in that area to be cautious and patient while the race is underway,” Ritzert said.
After the race Hoodletown Brewing Co. will host a post-race party at the brewery.
The 2024 Run for Home is joining the excitement generated by the April 8 solar eclipse. This year’s event includes an eclipse logo featured on the shirts participants receive, and most awards and medals feature an eclipse theme. Registration for all events will remain open through race weekend.
The complete race schedule and registration information can be found at www.runforhome.org. More than 150 volunteers support all the activities on race weekend. Anyone interested in volunteering should email or call Sheila Samson Witt at shera205@icloud.com or 330-447-0099.
The Run for Home is sponsored by Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, Allied Machine and Engineering, and Rt. 250 Health and Performance. Sponsors also include nuCamp RV, MEB Systems, Domino’s Pizza, Smith Ambulance, Hoodletown Brewing Co., Fleet Feet of Wooster, the Tuscarawas County Dairy Farmers, Miller Portable Toilets, Hitchcock Sound, Simona Boltaron, Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union, First National Bank of Dennison, Dr. Stephan Sabo of Radiology Associates, Dover Chemical, Hennis Care Centre, ProVia and Park Village Health Care Center.