Race #45 – Running for the Arc

Gathering in York to run on the Heritage Rail Trail

Race #45: The 22nd Annual Rail Trail 10-Miler

My motivation for this race stems from my faith. Jesus tells us to, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

He doesn’t tell us to love only people like us, however you want to define that. He’s talking about ALL people, all human beings, even “the least of these.” (Matthew 25:40) This is the beautiful thing about Jesus–he advocates for the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the unexpected. And we are supposed to do the same.

This is a race I have wanted to do for a long time! First, I love this distance, and it’s rare to find a 10-mile race. Secondly, I love running on rail trails, and this race is normally held on York County’s fantastic Heritage Rail Trail–one of the oldest, most established rail trails in Central PA. And third, I love the cause and the people whose lives it touches.

The Arc’s mission is to “empower people with intellectual and other disabilities to become active, vocal, and skilled community members. That mission extends to supporting families and to educating the community on employing and living side-by-side with individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

How beautiful is that statement?

And I can only imagine how COVID-19 is affecting the Arc, its funding and fundraising, and the people it serves. This seems to be a time of great need for all nonprofits.

Although the race went virtual, a handful of friends–all of us Harrisburg River Runners–decided to travel to York to run together, socially distanced, on the actual course. We were in good company! It was great to see lots of runners, walkers and bikers up and down this beautiful trail.

It was also fun to use the Race Joy app to record my “race.” I actually tacked on a few additional miles past 10, and did 13.1. Just five more races to go!