10th annual Chernisky Classic set for Saturday

EBENSBURG, Pa. – Runners, walkers and firefighters are set to take part Saturday in the 10th annual Chernisky Classic 5K Run/Walk and 10K starting at the Young Peoples Community Center trailhead of the Ghost Town Trail in Ebensburg.

All proceeds raised from the family-friendly event go to the Cambria County Regional Firefighters Association.

"This is part of the process to raise some money so they have the tools to save lives," event founder and Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said.

He envisioned the fundraiser shortly after taking office as a way of giving back to first responders.

Chernisky said raising money to support the association's training facility near Patton is an investment in the community's safety, as well as that of firefighters, while also raising awareness about local trails.

"It's a great feeling – giving back," he said. "First responders do so much for our region, for our towns, and we just want to say, 'Thank you.' "

Participants can take part in a 5K run or walk that starts at 9:05 a.m. or a 10K race at the same time – both out-and-back courses.

There's also a free Firecracker Race for children 8 and younger at 10:20 a.m.

Racers interested in starting early can do so between 6:45 a.m., when packet pick-up and event-day registrations start, and 9 a.m. but those individuals won't,m be eligible for prizes.

The top five male and female finishers in the 5K and 10K will receive awards.

Eric Miller, a race committee member who's active with the association, described the race as a "much-needed fundraiser."

"Every dollar that we raise up there is put to good use," he said.

Miller commended the race and Chernisky for inspiring it.

Paul Kundrod, another race committee and firefighter association member, said since the start, the fundraiser has likely garnered about $90,000.

"The money has truly been a benefit to the Cambria County firefighters association and the training facility," he said.

Miller and Kundrod said it is expensive to operate the fire school, especially with the need to keep the equipment updated.

Kundrod said the association now includes departments from Cambria and five surrounding counties that rely on the training available there.

"Firefighters are coming here to learn skills that they'll use for the rest of their lives," he said.

Neither he nor Miller, nor fellow committee and association member John Hawks-worth, can believe the race has continued for 10 years.

Hawksworth lauded the event for helping fund important training and, as a local trail enthusiast, for utilizing the Ghost Town Trail as the race location.

Early registration is $28 and can be done until midnight on Thursday or for $33 on Saturday.