NEWS FLASH! The Last Runner Has Left The Pool!

It was a hot one at Saturday’s George Yasso Memorial 5K in my hometown of Fountain Hill. Not only did the runners take a dip in the community pool after the run but many took a dip before the run too.

Our 2011 event saw many firsts:
The first two finishers were women! Congrats to Kathleen Jobes and Rosie Mascoli.
A Fountain Hill first: Longboarders competed in their own division.
We had absolutely zero women in the 35-39 age division in the race.
Record heat (but not record humidity).
More raffle prizes than ever before; 36.

Congratulations to our 60 (!) age division winners and 36 (!) raffle prize winners. We are proud to have one of the largest pecentage of walkers in a Lehigh Valley 5K as well as an impressive number of kids taking part; almost 20% of our entrants were 19 or younger.

And congrats to our five scholarship winners: Our 2011 outstanding college-bound scholar athletes: Bryan Redding (Penn State), Matt Mayrosh (University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg), Hawaou Doukoure (Bloomburg), Izel Dickerson (Moravian) and Alexander Akabogu (Penn State at Hazleton).

A big THANK YOU to St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network for generously supporting our event. Additionally, thank you to our charitable donors who help make this event – 12 years running – the continuing success that it is. Thanks to Richard Master of MCS Industries for his support and raffle contributions. Also, a big thank you to Mike Kipila Service Station for his generous support. Thank you to the Borough of Fountain Hill, the Police Department, Public Works Department, the Volunteer Fire Department and St. Luke’s Rescue and Transport Service. as well as the Fountain Hill Democratic Club and the Liberty Girls and Boys basketball teams for volunteering and all other family and friends who gave of their time, talent and energy to make our event a continuing success. Thank you to the runners, and walkers who make this event what it is, a fun and healthy rite of summer in the borough of Fountain Hill.

The Morning Call newspaper did a terrific piece on the event including a wonderful photo essay that is available on their website. The 47 photos captured the morning perfectly. Take a look at the photo gallery at: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128629320503898 (The photos are also available for purchase too.)

Our Facebook page has numerous race day photos including pix at the awards ceremony of the 60 age division winers (3 in each 5-year age division):

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.10150263857234573&type=1

If you took any photos at the event, please add them to the Facebook page, GEORGE YASSO Memorial 5K Run & Walk 2011: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128629320503898

A special thank you to my buddy Dave Bock, the longboarding paparazzi, who did this race video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UzMsDvJr6o

Race results are accessible on our Facebook page as well as at www.bartyasso.com, www.realendurance.com and www. athlinks.com. Here is a direct link:

http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/GBY5K2011RESULTS.pdf

If you have questions or notice errors in the race results, please contact us at georgeyasso5k@gmail.com. The 2012 race date will be announced next spring. Stay tuned via our Facebook page and twitter hash tag #georgeyasso5K

The start of the 2010 George Yasso 5K.

Please see attached pdf of entry form:

http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/2011-GBY-5K.pdf

RACE ENTRY FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL RUNNING STORE.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK AT:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128629320503898

Sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital and the Borough of Fountain Hill

RACE DATE & TIME:

Saturday, July 23, 2011 8:30 am

Walkers welcome and encouraged!

WHERE:

Fountain Hill Community Pool

1445 Speigel Street

Fountain Hill, Pennsylvania (2 miles from Sands Casino in Bethlehem)

ENTRY FEE:

$20 ($25 day of race), $12 for H.S. students & younger

AWARDS:

Plentiful and 3-deep in each 5-year age division!

RAFFLE:

and as always, killer raffle!

COURSE MAP:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=355805

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:

George Yasso Memorial 5K

SEND ENTRIES TO:

George Yasso Memorial 5K

3002 Oakland Road

Bethlehem, PA 18020

QUESTIONS?

georgeyasso5K@gmail.com

610-868-5482

610-694-0502

2010 RESULTS CAN BE FOUND AT:

http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/GeorgeYassoMemorial5K2010results.pdf

DIRECTIONS TO THE RACE START IN FOUNTAIN HILL:

FROM THE SOUTH/Philly –

1. JOHN FRIES HWY/PA-663.

2. Turn LEFT onto N WEST END BLVD/PA-309. Continue on 309 N.

3. Turn RIGHT onto PA-378.

4. Turn LEFT onto SEIDERSVILLE RD.

5. Turn RIGHT onto BROADWAY.

6. Turn LEFT onto DODSON ST.

7. Turn RIGHT onto SPIEGEL ST.

FROM THE EAST -

1. I-78 W.

2. Take the PA-412/ HELLERTOWN exit, EXIT 67, toward BETHLEHEM.

3. Turn RIGHT onto PA-412/ HELLERTOWN RD. Continue on 412.

4. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto E 4TH ST.

5. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto BROADWAY/ PA-412. Continue to follow BROADWAY.

6. Turn RIGHT onto SMILEY AVE.

7. Turn LEFT onto SPIEGEL ST.

FROM THE SOUTHWEST/READING –

1. US-222 N toward ALLENTOWN.

2. Merge onto US-222 N via the exit on the LEFT toward ALLENTOWN.

3. Turn SLIGHT LEFT to stay on US-222 N.

4. Merge onto I-78 E/ PA-309 S.

5. Take EXIT 59 toward PA-145/ SUMMIT LAWN.

6. Turn LEFT onto W ROCK RD.

7. Turn LEFT onto S PIKE AVE/ PA-145. Continue to follow PA-145.

8. Turn RIGHT onto W EMMAUS AVE.

9. Turn LEFT onto SEIDERSVILLE RD. (follow same directions for South, #4 thru #7.)

FROM THE WEST/HARRISBURG –

1. I-78 E via EXIT 89 toward ALLENTOWN.

2. Take EXIT 59 toward PA-145/SUMMIT LAWN.

3. Turn LEFT onto W ROCK RD.

4. Turn LEFT onto S PIKE AVE/PA-145. Continue to follow PA-145.

5. Turn RIGHT onto W EMMAUS AVE.

6. Turn LEFT onto SEIDERSVILLE RD. (follow same directions for South, #4 thru #7.)

FROM THE NORTH/SCRANTON –

1. I-380 S via EXIT 4 toward MT POCONO.

2. Merge onto I-80 E via EXIT 1B on the LEFT toward STROUDSBURG.

3. Merge onto PA-33 S via EXIT 302A toward US-209 S/SNYDERSVILLE.

4. Merge onto US-22 W toward BETHLEHEM/ALLENTOWN.

5. Merge onto PA-378 S toward BETHLEHEM.

6. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto BROADWAY.

7. Turn RIGHT onto SMILEY AVE.

8. Turn LEFT onto SPIEGEL ST.

The Yasso family looks forward to meeting you and running – and walking – with us!

2010 write-up: http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/2010/08/results-are-in-the-george-yasso-memorial-5k/

Good news!

I just found out I will be hosting the Run Barbados events this December 3 – 5. The Midnight Mile is on Friday, 10K on Saturday and your choice of a 5K, half marathon or full marathon on Sunday. (An option for everyone including the walkers among your friends and family.) The marathon starts at 4:30 am so plenty of beach time. Join me!

http://www.runbarbados.org/

Our youngest competitor was 9-year-old Jarrett Hirschbeck...can you tell he had fun?

Thank you to charitable donor Anne Marie Crown as well  as MCS Industries for their prize donations as well as cash donations. A big thank you to John Crampsie for his continued outstanding level of financial support for our race.

CONGRATULATIONS to our  outstanding scholar-athlete award winners! Jim Skelly/George Yasso Fountain Hill Scholarship recipient: Marisa Repasch, $1,000

Hurricane Club Male recipients: Joey Lasko and John Cann, $500 each, and Hurricane Club Female recipient:

Erica Shumock, $1,000. Additionally, a donation of $500 wil be going to the Hurricane Basketball Club.

Thank you to the Borough of Fountain Hill, the Police Department, Public Works Department, the Volunteer Fire Department and St. Luke’s Rescue and Transport Service. as well as the Founta Hill Democratic Club and the  Liberty Girls and Boys basketball teams for volunteering and all others who gave of their time, talent and energy to make our event a continuing success. And thank you to the runners, and walkers who make this event what it is, a fun and healthy rite of summer in the borough of Fountain Hill.

Thanks to those who contributed running shoes for Haiti. Check our Facebook page for additional drop-off locations. Our Facebook GEORGE YASSO Memorial 5K Run & Walk 2010 event page at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128629320503898&ref=search

STATS: We had a total of 155 registered runners with 133 starters. Forty percent of the entrants were female. Like last year, we had  a large number of  walkers (yeah for walkers!) as well as youth; 30 of our runners nd walkers were age 18 or younger.  We are proud of our 5K kids!

Congratulations to our three random pre-registered women who each won a gift certificate from Running Skirts (www.runningskirts.com): Andrea Keenan, Jenny Kuntz, and Taylor Valentin. Rock those skirts!

PHOTOS! You can order race photos from Alice Lipe at: www.photosbyajlipe.com

If you have questions or notice errors in the race results, please contact me.

The 2011 race date will be announced next spring. Stay tuned!

2010 Race Results:

USEGeorgeYassoMemorial5K~2010resultsONLY

Please see attached pdf of entry form:

http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/10-Yasso-5k-brochure.pdf

Please join our Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128629320503898&ref=ts

RACE DATE & TIME: Saturday, July 17, 2010  8:30 am

Walkers welcome and encouraged!

WHERE: Fountain Hill Community Pool at 1445 Speigel Street in Fountain Hill (near Bethlehem), Pennsylvania

Just 2 miles away from PA’s newest casino, The Sands

ENTRY FEE: $17 ($20 day of race), $10 for H.S. students & younger

AWARDS: Plentiful and 3-deep in each 5-year age division!

RAFFLE: and as always, killer raffle too!

Sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital and the Borough of Fountain Hill

Join us for one of the Lehigh Valley’s most fun 5Ks – thru the flat & hilly streets of Fountain Hill – right next to Bethlehem. Despite three hills, this course is fast and fun. WALKERS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED. Accurately measured course, splits every mile, 5-year age divisions, refreshments and prizes at the finish. Changing, toilet and shower facilities available. Take a dip in the pool afterward! First 200 entrants get a race t-shirt. All race proceeds go to the George Yasso and James Skelly Scholarship Funds which award scholarships to two local scholar-athletes each year - - 4 $1,000 scholarships!

___________________________________________

QUESTIONS?

georgeyasso5K@gmail.com

610-868-5482
610-694-0502

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: George Yasso Memorial 5K

SEND ENTRIES TO:

George Yasso Memorial 5K

3002 Oakland Road

Bethlehem, PA  18020

_________________________________

DIRECTIONS: FROM THE SOUTH/Philly -

1. JOHN FRIES HWY/PA-663. 2. Turn LEFT onto N WEST END BLVD/PA-309. Continue on 309 N. 3. Turn RIGHT onto PA-378. 4. Turn LEFT onto SEIDERSVILLE RD. 5. Turn RIGHT onto BROADWAY. 6. Turn LEFT onto DODSON ST. 7. Turn RIGHT onto SPIEGEL ST. FROM THE EAST – 1. I-78 W. 2. Take the PA-412/ HELLERTOWN exit, EXIT 67, toward BETHLEHEM. 3. Turn RIGHT onto PA-412/ HELLERTOWN RD. Continue on 412. 4. Stay STRAIGHT to go onto E 4TH ST. 5. Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto BROADWAY/ PA-412. Continue to follow BROADWAY. 6. Turn RIGHT onto SMILEY AVE. 7. Turn LEFT onto SPIEGEL ST.

FROM THE SOUTHWEST/READING -

1. US-222 N toward ALLENTOWN. 2. Merge onto US-222 N via the exit on the LEFT toward ALLENTOWN. 3. Turn SLIGHT LEFT to stay on US-222 N. 4. Merge onto I-78 E/ PA-309 S. 5. Take EXIT 59 toward PA-145/ SUMMIT LAWN. 6. Turn LEFT onto W ROCK RD. 7. Turn LEFT onto S PIKE AVE/ PA-145. Continue to follow PA-145. 8. Turn RIGHT onto W EMMAUS AVE. 9. Turn LEFT onto SEIDERSVILLE RD. (follow same directions for South, #4 thru #7.)

FROM THE WEST/HARRISBURG -

1. I-78 E via EXIT 89 toward ALLENTOWN. 2. Take EXIT 59 toward PA-145/SUMMIT LAWN. 3. Turn LEFT onto W ROCK RD. 4. Turn LEFT onto S PIKE AVE/PA-145. Continue to follow PA-145. 5. Turn RIGHT onto W EMMAUS AVE. 6. Turn LEFT onto SEIDERSVILLE RD. (follow same directions for South, #4 thru #7.)

FROM THE NORTH/SCRANTON -

1. I-380 S via EXIT 4 toward MT POCONO. 2. Merge onto I-80 E via EXIT 1B on the LEFT toward STROUDSBURG. 3. Merge onto PA-33 S via EXIT 302A toward US-209 S/SNYDERSVILLE. 4. Merge onto US-22 W toward BETHLEHEM/ALLENTOWN. 5. Merge onto PA-378 S toward BETHLEHEM. 6. Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto BROADWAY. 7. Turn RIGHT onto SMILEY AVE. 8. Turn LEFT onto SPIEGEL ST.

The Yasso family looks forward to meeting you and running with us!

HERE IS A MAP of the 5K course:

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=355805

For 2009 results and write-up, check: http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/georgeyassomemorial5k2009results.pdf

Yes, that’s a REAL headline from the  Examiner.com.

There’s always comedy in running, isn’t there?

And the part about deluxe port-a-potties is absolutely true. Any runner wearing Brooks MCM 2009 apparel or Brooks shoes on race day gets to use their VIP port-a-potties along the course, which feature flushing toilets, partitioned stalls, climate control, a fragrance dispenser, hot and cold water complete with oak vanity and mirrors.

http://www.examiner.com/x-8091-DC-Running-Fitness-Examiner~y2009m9d8-Marine-Corps-Marathon-Expo-Bart-Yasso-free-samples-and-a-deluxe-Porta-Potty

I help put on a lot of races but this is my favorite for many reasons. The race which started in 1980 runs through my hometown of Fountain Hill, and it is in honor of my late brother George. ALL of the Yassos help out along with former mayor Steve Repasch and his family including 17-year-old Marisa Repasch who has done this race a record 17 times. We had 14 Yassos volunteering and 8 of them doing the race including my niece 8-year old Maizy Tucker Yasso who wore her talking High School Musical t-shirt on the run. We knew it was going to be a fun day and great race even before the gun went off. How can you miss when the Star Spangled Banner segues into Funkytown?

A big THANK YOU to St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network for generously supporting our event. Thank you to our very charitable donors, especially John Crampsie,  Richard Master and the Fountain Hill Democratic Club as well as those who contributed to our raffle & goody bags. 

CONGRATULATIONS to our five 2009 scholarship winners. Jim Skelly/George Yasso Fountain Hill Scholarship recipients: Alyssa Conahan and Zach Glagola. George Yasso Liberty Hurricane Club Basketball Scholarship recipients: Brianna Knipe, Aaron Thieme and Christian Rodriguez. We are proud of our scholar-athletes.   

Thanks to all the runners, walkers and volunteers who make this event what it is, a rite of summer in the borough of Fountain Hill. The starting temperature at 9 am was 72° with 82% humidity that quickly went down to 64% by 10 am when we had the awards ceremony preceded by an awesome raffle – 40 prizes! – and post-race spread of real food. Awards went three deep in 10 5-year age divisions. Showers were available to all and the pool was open until well past noon for anyone who wanted to do a true cool down. The 10 women’s age division winners were just sent a certificate for a free running skirt – a $50 value.

Stats are always interesting:  We tied last year’s record turnout of 220 registered entrants. We also hadmore walkers then we’ve had before – many friends and family walking together. Awesome! The field was almost evenly divided between males and females. 

This might be some sort of a record for a Lehigh Valley area 5K: We had a record number of youth this year; 35 who were age 19 & under. Starting next year, we will change the two 19 & under age divisions to two 15 -19 age divisions and award FIVE (!) deep in each male & female categories AND award medals to ALL youth finishers under 15 years of age. We are proud of our 5K kids! If you have questions or notice errors in the race results, please let me know.

Race photos are now posted on our Facebook events page at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=90234013324&ref=ts. Additionally, photographer Alice Lipe was at the race and took some terrific photos you can purchase. She has posted them on her online gallery at: http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/thumbpage.aspx?e=5005135

2009 George Yasso Memorial 5K Race Results:

http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/georgeyassomemorial5k2009results.pdf 

      

georgeyassomemorial5k2009results

The 2010 race date will be announced next spring. Stay tuned!   

Photo caption: Winners of the Women’s 20-24 age division, from left to right: 3rd place Haleigh Duggen, 2nd place Heather Lappi, and 1st place, my niece Elizabeth Yasso.

http://www.bartyasso.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/georgeyassomemorial5k2009results.pdf