This one's for John
01/31/2017 10:55AM ● By Richard Gaw
On May 20, the 10K race at the 28th annual Kennett Run will be run in honor of long-time Kennett Run competitor John Schultz, who was killed on Nov. 17, 2016 when he was struck by an automobile while attempting to cross the Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington. He was 84.
Long a favorite of the Kennett Run community, Schultz, who did not start running until he was 59, was often seen along the race route, running shirtless in his trademark red shorts.
Kennett Run Director B. Christopher Daney recalled last year's Kennett Run, when as the race was winding down, he was approached by local police and EMS workers, who told Daney that only one competitor remained on the course.
"They told me that it was an older man without a shirt on and red shorts, and I immediately knew that it was John," Daney said. "By the time he finished the race, the people who were enjoying the Party in the Park had come down to the finish line to cheer him on.
"It is an honor for us to name the 10K race in his name," Daney added. "He was a kind man who was so dedicated to his running, and willing to speak with anyone about it."
Kennett Run Charities, Inc. will sponsor The John Schultz "Running in Red Shorts" Memorial 5K, presented by Races2Run on April 23, in Wilmington. Race time begins at 8:30 a.m. at the 8th & Union Kitchen on North Union Street in Wilmington, and will wind through Bancroft Parkway and Rockford Park. Proceeds will benefit Catholic Relief Services.
For more information and to pre-register, visit www.races2run.com/events/runninginredshorts-5k.
-- Richard L. Gaw
Long a favorite of the Kennett Run community, Schultz, who did not start running until he was 59, was often seen along the race route, running shirtless in his trademark red shorts.
Kennett Run Director B. Christopher Daney recalled last year's Kennett Run, when as the race was winding down, he was approached by local police and EMS workers, who told Daney that only one competitor remained on the course.
"They told me that it was an older man without a shirt on and red shorts, and I immediately knew that it was John," Daney said. "By the time he finished the race, the people who were enjoying the Party in the Park had come down to the finish line to cheer him on.
"It is an honor for us to name the 10K race in his name," Daney added. "He was a kind man who was so dedicated to his running, and willing to speak with anyone about it."
Kennett Run Charities, Inc. will sponsor The John Schultz "Running in Red Shorts" Memorial 5K, presented by Races2Run on April 23, in Wilmington. Race time begins at 8:30 a.m. at the 8th & Union Kitchen on North Union Street in Wilmington, and will wind through Bancroft Parkway and Rockford Park. Proceeds will benefit Catholic Relief Services.
For more information and to pre-register, visit www.races2run.com/events/runninginredshorts-5k.
-- Richard L. Gaw
