Since the first Pleasant Run Run in 1982, runners have enjoyed a great fall morning running through lovely Irvington before the Halloween Street Fair. Originally created by the appropriately named Irvington Hysterical Running Club to get more people to come to the festival, the Run Run was also an important fundraiser. The Children’s Guardian Home was the first recipient of profits from the Run; after the home closed, the Historic Irvington Community Council uses the money to fund a number of community projects, including the painting of signal boxes in the community, providing scholarships to IUMC pre-school, and many other worthy causes.
The first several years of the run were wildly successful, drawing over 1,500 runners. However, in the past few years, participation has dwindled to about 400 — barely enough to cover the cost of the run itself. Organizers hope to boost participation numbers back up to a point where it is profitable.
In the past few runs, people resisted the entry fee that included the cost of a t-shirt. This year, participants can pre-register for the 5 mile Run Run for only $18 ($24 on race day), or the 3 mile for $12 (race day, $18). T-shirts can be bought separately for $12 for the long sleeve tech shirt or $10 for the 50/50 long sleeve shirt. Preregistrations will be taken until Oct. 17. The Kiddie Romp is free. Visit www.runlogistics.net/#!pleasant-run-run-registration/c3fm to register.
After the Pleasant Run Run, participants 21 and older are encouraged to drop by the Black Acre Beer Tent at Audubon and Bonna for a post-run celebration.
