Hiking and cycling trails in the area
Where you can get out and enjoy the landscape
Aimee Breaux, abreaux@press-citizen.com
The GAP Relay 2021 presented by the UPMC Health Plan opened registration with its brand new experience for runners on the Great Allegheny Passage from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland from October 15-16. 38 teams have registered for this year’s event.
Proceeds from the race will help with the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the Great Allegheny Passage.
“UPMC Health Plan is delighted and proud to support the GAP Relay in 2021 again. We encourage runners of all fitness levels to have a great time with us and take advantage of the new opportunities to participate, ”said Dr. James Schuster, Chief Medical Officer of UPMC Insurance Services Division.
Stone wood: Rockets Run For Kids fundraiser
To go biking: Cycling the Great Allegheny Passage
Path: History, solidarity on the bike path
competition
Teams of eight, six, or four will run the full 250 mile distance, while couples or teams of two or four can experience the 60-mile one-day adventure course. This year, contestants will begin at the Point in Pittsburgh and end in Cumberland.
With a new 60-mile one-day option, a limited number of teams can also race early Saturday morning.
In addition, participants can expect giveaways and promotions at the start line, selected exchange zones along the route and at the finish in Cumberland.
“We can’t wait to get attendees back on the GAP path and continue our sustainability efforts with this year’s event,” said Troy Schooley, CEO of P3R. “This event has been carbon neutral for the past two years, and we continue to work closely with the UPMC Health Plan and the Pennsylvania Environmental Council to increase this effort each year.”
Best known for organizing the annual DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, P3R runs a variety of other high quality races, events, and health and fitness programs throughout the Pittsburgh area.
Registration for the annual trail race is possible at p3r.org/races/.
Attendees
The Rockwood Area School District has a team led by Carter Bower, a second grade teacher. The team is running to raise funds for the school’s Kids Come First and Rocket Fuel Backpack programs. The Kids Come First is a teacher and staff-organized fund that helps meet the elementary and school needs of students.
The Rocket Fuel Backpack program sends healthy food home to children whose family may have some resources. This helps ensure that students are well fed and do not come to school hungry or spend the weekend without food. This is the third participation in the event.
Jennifer Soisson practically ran the event last year but looks forward to doing it in person this year.
“After the races were canceled last year, my friends and I were looking for something that would be fun outside. We signed up for the Virtual GAP Relay without knowing how it would go, “she said in a press release.” We all ran and cycled 80 miles together over the weekend. We had so much fun. Outside of Pittsburgh, there were areas we had never explored before, which was exciting. When we saw that there would be a personal event this year, we seized the opportunity. ”Lindsay Aroesty is leading the event for the fourth time.
“I like to call it Christmas morning. We and our team have so much fun. I’m beaming as we get closer and closer to GAP, ”she said. “It gets me back in shape, but I also just love our team. Everyone is easy going. What an adventure it is. ”
Philip O’Hara is participating for the fourth time and loves how close his team has become through the event. They continue to do the event to find ways to challenge them in their late forties, but mostly because they are having a great time together.
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