Allegheny River Running Fest
Allegheny River Running Fest
ARRIVE • RUN • STAY!
OLEAN - This year, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce officials are stating, “ARRIVE • RUN • STAY” as a slogan for its Allegheny River Running Fest on September 11, 2021. This fest, GOACC’s new event in 2020, aptly named ARRF, is all set for this year. Erica Dreher, GOACC Member Services Manager reported, “Last year, even with COVID/social distancing, we had a very successful turnout of 126 participants – we anticipate even more this year!”
ARRF features two races: a 10K and Half Marathon, both will start/finish at War Veterans Park in Olean. The half marathon participants will step off at 9:00am, with the 10K runners at 9:30am. The fee to run the half is $90 through race day and $65 for those participating in the 10K. To register, please visit www.itsyourrace.com and search for Allegheny River Running Fest.
Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers for each race event. The Last Squirrel Award will be presented to the last finisher through the half marathon event. As the City of Olean has an unofficial city mascot of a black squirrel, your finisher's medal will have one of these nutty characters on the medal - to remind you of the great time you had at the ARRF.
Sponsorships and vendor opportunities are still available. “GOACC is so excited to be bringing this event to our vibrant community and having it opened to the public,” said Dreher. Sponsors committed to the 2021 event to date include: Universal Primary Care (Race Bling Sponsor); Interfaith Caregivers (Refreshments); Worth W. Smith (Bib Sponsor); SolEpoxy (Refueling Sponsor); Olean Wellness Store (Refueling Sponsor) and Go To Meals (Refreshments). “There are a number of sponsor levels still available. As a sponsor, you will not only benefit the community with your investment but sponsorship also provides a powerful marketing tool for your own products and services,” added Dreher.
Vendor opportunities are also available! “Last year, we had a pain management vendor that promoted its products to this racing market,” stated Meme Yanetsko, GOACC COO. “Also, Go To Meals provided snacks at the end of the race. The event is a great avenue to get the word out – to the athletes, to the spectators and more.” Vendor space is $25 for GOACC members and $40 for non-members. Vendors will need to provide their own tents, tables, chairs, etc.
Lastly, GOACC wants to stress the concern that the office has with the uptick in positive COVID cases. “The safety and wellbeing for our event attendees, vendors, volunteers and staff is top priority for our events,” said Yanetsko. “As such, if we feel that we are unable to present a safe event, those events will be scaled back or postponed.”
As of this writing, current CDC guidelines will be followed as well as any new guidelines brought forth from the Cattaraugus County Health Department. For more information on the AARF or other GOACC events, please contact GOACC at 716-372-4433.