RADNOR — Frost covered the tips of grass of Encke Park next to the Radnor Township Building early Sunday morning and temperatures started out in the 30s. But the brisk autumn air would soon be accompanied by a sun-drenched sky highlighting the park’s vivid foliage and conditions would prove to be ideal for the hundreds of runners and walkers participating in the American Lung Association’s 45th Annual Radnor Run.
This year’s races and walk events brought out 528 participants: 315 for the 5-Mile Radnor Run, 68 for the One-Mile Timed Run and 145 for the 2-Mile Trail Walk. The course for the running events started and finished in front of the Radnor Township Building and wound its way through the neighborhoods of Wayne. Now in its second year, the relaxing Trail Walk was on the paved tree-lined Radnor Trail.
“The American Lung Association is thrilled to be a part of this long-standing tradition,” said Caroline Hutchinson, Executive Director for the Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “It was a beautiful day and great turnout of sponsors, runners, walkers, and volunteers. We are extremely grateful for the support from the Radnor Township and community!”
For the event’s signature race, the certified 5-Mile Timed Race, Mike Padilla, 48, of Phoenixville took home the Trophy for overall fastest male runner with a time of 28:33. The trophy, making its debut this year, honors Emlen Tunnell, who was a Garrett Hill native and Radnor High School graduate who became an NFL Hall of Fame defensive back and later pioneering coach.
Grace Moore, 24, of Wayne, won Jody’s Cup, with a time of 28:18, for the overall fastest female runner. The trophy is named in honor of the memory of Radnor Township resident Jody Lynn Sack.
Other award-winners included CLM, a 29-member team affiliated with Wayne’s Club La Maison, which received the Fitness Center Challenge trophy.
This year’s Radnor Run, which was founded by Radnor Township in the late 1970s, raised more than $87,000, according to early estimates.
Proceeds from the Radnor Run supports advocacy against tobacco use, including vaping, and research to fight COVID-19, COPD, lung cancer and asthma, among other lung diseases.
“All this fundraising has made a difference,” said Dr. John M. Vasudevan, who works in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, at Penn Medicine Radnor. Penn Medicine is a longtime event sponsor.
“I’m really proud for everyone who came out,” said Dr. Rocklan D. Walker, founder of I|M Health in Wayne, a community health center and event sponsor.
Walker explained the fundraiser is personal for him, as he lost his father to lung cancer 10 years ago.
And this year’s top fundraiser is Radnor resident Paul O’Connor, who along with his team raised a total of $12,694. O’Connor, who is chairman of the Radnor Run Committee and co-owner of Radnor-based Apt Management, a real estate investment and management company, said his enthusiasm for fundraising for the American Lung Association is a collaborative effort: “We are very grateful and appreciative of the support of our family, friends and colleagues.
