Registration under way for Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K expanded event

STEUBENVILLE -- Representatives of the United Way of Jefferson County are looking to build on the success of the first Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K held in 2021 with this year's event having an even more family friendly appeal to it and an extra element of participation and attractions.

Pre-registration is under way and encouraged for the second-annual Suzanne Kresser Memorial 5K, which will be held Sept. 24 at Jim Wood Park in Steubenville's West End.

Kresser, a Wintersville resident who was 51 when she died of brain cancer on June 23, 2021, was a United Way leader, supporter and community volunteer. She had served as executive director of the local United Way for seven years.

Participants can register now at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Steubenville/SuzanneKresserMemorial5krunwalk or the day of at 7:30 a.m.

Information also is available by calling the United Way office, located at 511 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, at (740) 284-9000.

The rain-or-shine main 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:30 a.m. with 8 a.m. the starting time for a new feature of the United Way fundraiser -- a Kids 1K event, according to Laura Rauch, United Way executive director, and Tami Cashioli, United Way finance director.

"If you don't want to run or walk, you can have yoga as an exercise alternative again this year," Rauch added of an additional feature of the fundraiser. Yoga will provided by Empowered Yoga.

The entry fees are $25 for the 5K or yoga session; $20 for a student in the 5K; and $5 for the Kids 1K. Pre-registration is encouraged to not only prepare for the fundraiser but to have T-shirts for participants. The registration deadline for guaranteed T-shirts is Sept. 17.

"However, they can still come the day of and register," Rauch said, anticipating some extra T-shirts might be available.

In addition to the Kids 1K, there will be a supervised Bounce House and two food vendors with Miss Brenda's Cafe and Desperado Dogs.

Rauch said the supervised Bounce House will offer an option for parents to run or walk or do yoga while their children are occupied.

It's all part of an effort to make the fundraiser even more family friendly, which the United Way officials said would have been important to Kresser, who was a family-oriented person.

"We raised more than $7,000 and had more than 100 participants," Rauch said of the initial event held "to honor a strong kind, and brave woman who always poured herself into our community. To know Suzanne was to love her, and we hope you will consider running, walking or simply joining us in her memory.

Proceeds benefit the United Way's 2023 campaign and help fund 13 members agencies.

"We would love to see cross country teams, track teams and anybody affiliated with any school athletic association to come out and participate," Rauch said.

Kresser family members, including her parents, Frank and Linda Slowikowski, will be on hand in addition to Annie, Kresser's beloved Yorkshire Terrier.

The Jefferson County Humane Society will have a presence at the event and is anticipated to have information about the nonprofit organization and some adoption possibilities, according to Rauch.

People not interested in running, walking or yoga can have a supportive presence in other ways, according to the United Way officials, as there will be a 50-50 drawing and drawings for various baskets of items.

"We want it to be bigger and better than it was last year, and we encourage everybody who loved and supported Suzanne, to come out," Cashioli commented.

The Wolf Creek Track Club will provide the timing.