Exercising to the Beat of the Street

          Prost!  What a better way to celebrate German culture and exercise than running in the inaugural Yuengling Oktoberfest 5K on Oct. 5 at Artsquest in Bethlehem.  As a fan of Artquests's Musikfest every August, I was excited to visit again and see what else they offer at the old Bethlehem Steel site.       It was a sunny, but chilly, day when we left for the hour-long drive to Bethlehem.  With about 4,000 runners, it was a bit confusing trying to figure out what lines to join to get our race bibs, our beer steins, where to drop off our gear and where the restroom lines started.  Waiting 20 minutes in line, there definitely weren't enough bathrooms.      With the crowd of runners separated into corrals based on time, the race was slow to start.  It took about six minutes from the beginning of the race for us to even cross the start line and activate our chips.  Maneuvering down the tight roads was a challenge, and annoying, as runners had to avoid colliding with walk

          Knowing that this race took place in the Westgate Hills section of Havertown, I felt I was up to the challenge of running the rolling terrain.  With temperatures in the high 50s and sunny skies, Kevin and I headed to Westgate Hills Park on April 19.  Organized by the Child Guidance Resource Center in Havertown, the run and 1-mile walk benefited the center’s therapeutic summer camp program.      At the sound of the starting gun, we headed down Oxford Hill Lane, before turning right on Westgate Road.  Trying to slow down and keep control as we raced down the steep downhill, we made a right on Green Briar Lane.  A left onto Crescent Hill Drive, the course was clearly marked and volunteers were at intersections directing traffic.  Heading onto Windsor Park Lane, I saw a runner take a quick break by sitting on a curbside coach, something I definitely felt ready to do.  The hills were difficult, and the biggest climb was coming up.      With a right on Glen Ridge Road, I was n

     You might not think that many runners would race on a rainy, windy, cold Sunday afternoon.  But hundreds did at the first annual Nicole Gallo Sunshine & Bubbles 5K on March 30.  The race benefited the Nicole Gallo Sunshine Scholarship, which helps girls continue their Catholic education.  Registration was $25, which is the average for 5Ks now.  Try & register by mail & you'll save the $3 fee that online sites like Run The Day charge.      Arriving at Monsignor Bonner Archbishop Prendergast High School, I was impressed by the dedication shown by the friends and family of Gallo, a Prendie grad who was struck and killed by a distracted driver in 2009.  The name of the race is just so sweet.      With light rain falling on our heads, Kevin & I lined up next to Delaware County Memorial Hospital.  At the sound of the gun, we took off across Lansdowne Ave., made a left on Argyle Ave. before turning onto Winding Way.  With markers & volunteers along the way, the