The 4th Annual Ruth Enlow Friendsville Town Library Fundraiser 5K Run/3K Walk will be held Saturday May 26th, 2018. This family friendly event on the Kendall Trail along the Youghiogheny Wild and Scenic River is as fun as it is beautfiul. Cash prizes for first, second and third place male and female runners will be awarded with special prizes awarded to the top three Youth under 18 as well as to the oldest and youngest runners.Official timing is provided by the Queen City Striders.
Over 41 prize sponsors are supporting the event this year. Walkers are encouraged to take their time and smell the flowers and will be entered into a raffle to win some fantastic prizes such as organic plants, greens, honey and even rafting and camping.
The Kendall Trail is an old railroad grade that has a solid base and follows along the scenic river to the turn-around points. A water station is situated along the way. The 5K run is described as possibly being a little bit wet, a little bit rugged and a little bit wild while the 3K walk section is pretty mild.
The first 50 people to register, will receive a free event t-shirt. This year’s t-shirt features the Hellbender, which is an aquatic salamander that lives and builds nests in the Youghiogheny River. The Hellbender is much larger than all other salamanders in its geographic range, and employs an unusual means of respiration (which involves cutaneous gas exchange through capillaries found in its dorsoventral skin folds). It fills a particular niche — both as a predator and prey — in its ecosystem, which either it or its ancestors have occupied for around 65 million years. The species is now listed as Near Threatened and is found only in clean, fresh, water.
Friendsville is famous for world class whitewater rafting on the Upper Yough as well as world class trout fishing. As the oldest settlement in Garrett County, Friendsville is also rich in history and has fun walking tour with signposts. People are invited to explore the town and enjoy the town wide yard sale and Chicken BBQ which will also be happening that day.
This event is held to provide awareness and funding for the town library. In a small town like Friendsville, support for the library is crucial. The public is encouraged to attend and help support the library as well as enjoy the beautiful trail and the numerous spring wildflowers found all along its length. It’s fun, healthy – with a purpose!
Registration forms can be found at www.visitfriendsville.org .Forms can be mailed in or dropped off at the town hall during open hours Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am-3:30am. and same day registration is also welcome at the Northern Rescue Squad, 320 Chestnut Street. Check in/Registration begins at 8am. Complimentary coffee, fruit and baked goods will be available.
The 5K Run starts at 9am and the 3K walk starts at 9:15am. Full information is on the town website visitfriendsville.org and interested participants can also call the Town Clerk at 301-746-5919.
