HAVERFORD, Pa. - After the annual Joe Schwartz 3K Run/Walk shifted to a virtual event last spring, the 14th edition of the event returned to campus on Sunday afternoon. Although plenty of changes and modifications to race day were evident, almost 2,000 dollars was raised for the ALS Association of Philadelphia. Only community members who are on the campus testing protocol were allowed to register, but the turnout exceeded the 2019 edition of the race, with 275 total registrants. Total attendance was estimated at over 400. In total, over 2,500 individuals have participated in the race over more than a decade, with more than $80,000 raised for the ALS Association.
This year's edition of the race did not have formal timing due to a staggered start and modified finish to ensure social distancing. The race began on Featherbed Field after eight years of starting on Founders Green, but did wrap up in its traditional Founders Green locale, where donuts and soft preztels were served to hungry racers and spirited spikeball and lawn game competitions were undertaken.
Joe Schwartz graduated from Haverford College in 1983. He was a committed member of Haverford's cross country and track teams for the four years he attended Haverford, and he excelled in both sports. He encouraged those who won MAC Championships as well as students who were casual participants to be part of something bigger than themselves. From the moment he stepped on the Haverford campus, Joe was integral in building a proud tradition of athletic excellence at this school. In 1995, Joe contracted Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 34. He first noticed the symptoms when he was out training for road races. He courageously endured the hardships imposed by this cruel disease for thirteen years until his unfortunate death on March 2, 2008.
The Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk is designed to attract the running superstar and the walking novice because that is exactly how Joe would want it. He simply loved people lacing up their shoes and enjoying the freedom to run and walk, a freedom that was deprived from Joe by ALS. Proceeds will be donated to The ALS Association and directed towards ALS research and patient services. The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The cause, cure and means of control of ALS are unknown. Symptoms of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, include the wasting and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing and respiration.