LATE REGISTRATION -- St. Pat's Race Volunteers (Front - L/R) Mike Klosowski, Rob Muntz & Liz Schwedler. (Back) Lynette Heinlein, Lori Brown, Race Director Ann Gasta, Nancy Miller & Sue Grimaldi. (MyBayCity Photo by O. J. Cunningham)
Race Director Ann Gasta Loves St' Pats Road Race
38th Annual Al Kayner's St. Patrick's Day Races Expects Record Turnout
March 19, 2011
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By: O. J. Cunningham
3,500 and counting.
That's the only number St. Pat's Race Director Ann Gasta (Pictured at Right) had on her mind during late registration on Saturday -- the day before the scheduled 38th Annual Al Kayner's St. Patrick's Day Races.
"There's no reason to think we won't break all records tomorrow (3/20/2011) for the actual race as far as participation is concerned," Gasta said smiling happily.
St. Pat's Race Director Ann Gasta
was taking care of race business during
late-registration for the 38th annual event.
Gasta has reason to be happy.
Gasta has been Race Director of the St. Pat's racing events going on seven years now. And Gasta has nothing but happy thoughts when it come to the actual race event.
The St. Pat's racing event -- perhaps the largest in Michigan -- caters to all levels of participants. "Runners want three things from a road race," Gasta explained. "They want to know WHEN, they want to know WHERE and they want to KNOW THE COURSE," Gasta explained.
Gasta went on to explain that the Bay Area Runner's Club (BARC) expends a tremendous amount of energy on promotion and just getting the word out as far as race details are concerned. "And we have a gorgeous reward (pendant) for all racers," Gasta added.
Sponsored by the Bay Area Runners Club, this year's event features an 8k run and 5k run and walk. Racers will start at the corner of Center Avenue and Adams Street in downtown Bay City and race down Center Avenue out towards Essexville and then back down Center to the finish line downtown.
Gasta said that five years ago, about 2,000 racers had pre-registered before the final weekend. "This year we have over 3,500 before late registration even begins," Gasta went on.
"The sky is the limit as far as the numbers might go this year," Gasta said. "This Bay City event is one of the first harbingers of Spring," Gasta added. People are more health-conscious than ever before and it's just a fun, safe happy event."
O. J. Cunningham
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O. J. Cunningham is the Publisher of MyBayCity.com. Cunningham previously published Sports Page & Bay City Enterprise. He is the President/CEO of OJ Advertising, Inc.
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