First Posted: 5/6/2013

The Second Annual Susquehanna Stride 5K and Half Marathon, hosted by the Greater Pittston YMCA, will take place at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 with runners from Northeastern Pennsylvania and other states making their way through the heart of Pittston and surrounding towns.

The Susquehanna Stride is the only one of its kind in the area, offering a 5K and Half Marathon.

Runners will be challenged by taking on the hills of Pittston while taking in the beauty of the Susquehanna River as they run right along it.

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“We wanted to offer more than just a 5K but nothing compared to the Steamtown Marathon,” said Craig Lukatch, CEO of the Greater Pittston YMCA.

“We are very excited for the Stride. We have about 100 runners so far from all over the area and the east coast.”

The 5K starts outside of the Greater Pittston YMCA, moving into Hughestown, coming back into Pittston and finishing at the Greater Pittston YMCA.

The Half Marathon starts with the 5K, then continuing to move into Jenkins Township, coming back into Pittston and ending at the Y.

“We have been working with all the cities in making sure everyone is aware that we will have runners on the roads. We are asking all drivers to be very cautious when driving through Pittston, Hughestown and Jenkins Township on the morning of the Stride. If you see runners please slow down and try to move over if you can,” said Lukatch.

Volunteers are greatly needed to make sure this event is a great success.

“We are offering all of our volunteers great incentives to say thank you for helping us out. Every volunteer will receive a custom Stride T-shirt, a one-month pass to the Y and a $25 gift certificate to the Y,” said Lukatch.

Pre-registration for the Stride is any day before the race.

The 5K is $35, Half Marathon is $50.

Registration for the race will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 at the Y.

Runners are asked to arrive at the Y between 6 am to 7:30 a.m. on race day. They can pick up a registration form at the Y or sign up online at www.greaterpittstonymca.org.

To volunteer you can sign up online or contact Robert Duliba, Mission and Membership Development Director, at rduliba@greaterpittstonymca.org or by caslloing 655-2255 ext.104.

Allied Services is a major sponsor of the race for the past two years. Their support aids in pulling of the Susquehanna Stride along with all of the other sponsors. Sponsorships are still available. Call the YMCA for more information.