HARVEYS LAKE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A Luzerne County run benefiting first responders is no longer a race of the past. Hundreds of runners stepped off in the Back Mountain Saturday morning for the first time in a decade.
A sea of more than 300 runners lapped around the lakeshore Saturday morning.
8.2 miles made up the Harveys Lake Run that returned to the Back Mountain for the first time in 12 years.
"I'm really glad they brought it back. I did the Back Mountain triathlon last year, which they just brought back a few years ago as well, so it's great to have the races back at Harveys Lake," Race Winner from Clarks Summit, Donald Bird, stated.
Donald Bird was the first man to cross the finish line in under 48 minutes.
The race was last run in 2013, and event organizers say the reason for its disappearance is unclear.
But its return is to build stronger support for community events in the Back Mountain.
"We started to get to know some people in the lake community, and the consensus was people would always say that was a fun time. We should, you know, somebody should bring that back," Race Organizer David Bass explained.
David Bass is no stranger to organizing races in the Wyoming Valley, but bringing this one back, he says, took extra effort getting everyone on board.
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"We knew it should come back. It's just a matter of finding the time and building up the goodwill among the borough, council, the mayor, police department, and getting everyone to support us, and looks like we did," Bass added.
"The community of Harveys Lake was very supportive. People were on their decks--they were benched out, cheering people on, handing out water on their own, handing out candy on their own," Corey Henfling from Tunkhannock said.
Runners and organizers hope to see this race become another lasting tradition and a chance at challenging their own personal goals.
"Oh, it was hard, all mental. You really have to push yourself to get through that last half mile," Harveys Lake resident Carey-Anne Keiper told 28/22 News.
"The lake, the water, promotes outdoor activity, healthy living, so it's really nice to do that," Ian Chant from Harveys Lake said.
All proceeds from Saturday's race will go toward Harveys Lake Police Department and Harveys Lake Fire and Ambulance Company.
