On October 19, University Healthcare and The Wellness Center at Berkeley Medical Center will sponsor the 34th annual Apple Trample 5k, an official event of the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival.
The Apple Trample is a long standing tradition, part of a larger community event that celebrates the history and heritage of our area. This year, race organizers are making some changes to create awareness about healthy eating, active lifestyles and cancer prevention while increasing race participation.
“This year we will have two start times, one for runners and one for walkers,” stated Brian White, race director. The race start will be at the McCormack Center on the campus of Berkeley Medical Center. Walkers will start at 10:30am, runners at 11:30am.
As in the past, the race course will follow the Mountain State Apple Harvest parade route. “However, our finish line this year will be a Martinsburg High School, where walkers and runners will finish the race with a lap around the track at Cobourn Field,” White added.
To encourage participation in this year’s Apple Trample, race organizers are offering a special training program for all levels and ages of runners/walkers beginning August 26 through October 14. White and other Wellness Center staff will join Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, nationally acclaimed competitive runner and co-founder of Freedom’s Run, to offer this free race preparation training.
Topics will include How to be a Healthy Runner, Beginner to 5K training, Injury Prevention and Treatment and information on the importance of healthy eating choices, stress management and other meaningful lifestyle changes.
Registration information for the training program and the Apple Trample 5k may be found on line at www.appletrample.com. The training program is free, but registration is required. Early registration for the Apple Trample is $20 with a t-shirt and $17 without a t-shirt. Registration after October 12 is $25.
Proceeds from this year’s Apple Trample will benefit the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival, and University Healthcare’s Cancer & Infusion Center and Women’s Imaging Center, both departments of Berkeley Medical Center.
Chris Amores and Liz Oates, Apple Trample 5k committee members, are heading up the sponsor solicitation and fund raising phase of the race. Sponsor levels range from Elite Sponsor at $5000 to Sprint Sponsor at $100. Information on sponsorships is available on the web site.
Current sponsors include: Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival, The Wellness Center at Berkeley Medical Center, Two Rivers Treads, University Healthcare Berkeley Medical Center, BCT – Bank of Charles Town, Berkeley County Schools, Freedom’s Run, Dex Media, Internal Medicine of WV, Kent Parsons Ford, River Riders, United Bank, WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Eastern Division, Detailed Destinations, Martinsburg High School, Martinsburg Police Department, Firebrand Media, InThePanhandle.com, Pill & Pill PLLC, Team Integrity Cycling Club and Edward Jones – John Williams.
