For 36 years, Mark Courtney’s Ice Cream Race has been a competitive and fun highlight on the running calendar.

Who wouldn’t want to dip into buckets of ice cream and toppings with hundreds of friends and competitors on a hot August evening?

This summer’s COVID-19 pandemic threatened to end this race’s streak as the longest continuously run 5k in Mercer County. But Mark Courtney believes he’s found a way to safely keep the race alive for this 37th running.

The Ice Cream Race began in 1995 as Mark celebrated his individual streak of 5,000 consecutive days of running with a 5,000 meter run and ice cream from Steese’s Ice Cream in Grove City. It was supposed to be a one-time event, but continued by popular demand. Later, the race became the fourth event in Courtney’s Mercer County QUAD series.

This year, other events in the QUAD were cancelled, but Mark wanted to keep at least the Ice Cream Race going since it’s his favorite race. He’s planning a safety-modified version until we return to normalcy..

Although its peak year topped at 999 finishers, this year’s Ice Cream Race is limited to 250 participants in accordance with state guidelines. Registration closes Aug. 9 and there will be no day-of-event registration. Bibs with timing chips and commemorative masks will be mailed prior to the race for the safety of volunteers and to maintain social distancing. There is no kids’ run this year.

Since AHN Grove City is off-limits in the pandemic, the starting area has been changed to nearby First Baptist Church where there’s plenty of room for parking and social distancing. The church is also closer to this year’s start and finish areas.

Runners should arrive ready to run at 7 p.m. on Aug. 19. All in attendance are expected to wear masks anytime they are not running, eating or drinking. There will be no water stations along the course, so runners should bring their own.

The race will feature a wave start with competitors seeded in a grid of 25 socially distanced spots for each wave. There will be 10 minutes between waves. Mark says his timers did a trial run of this system for a smaller race this past weekend and it seemed to work well.

This year’s course has been altered slightly to avoid the hospital grounds. The race will finish in Mark and Debbie Courtney’s driveway. At the finish line, runners will have bottled water and a bag which includes a commemorative laser engraved wooden coaster. Instead of dipping into tubs of ice cream, each finisher will receive an individual serving cup of ice cream to which volunteers will add toppings.

To limit close contact within the large group, race times will be posted on the runhigh.com website, not at the finish area and there will be no age group awards. Top overall male and female finishers as well as top masters will earn awards.

If you wish to take part in the Ice Cream Race, but the event is sold out, or if you are hesitant about running with a large group in these uncertain times, sign up for the Virtual Ice Cream 5k. The first 100 virtual participants receive a commemorative Ice Cream Race mask and, after submitting your times, you may download a finisher’s certificate.

For more information or to register for the real or virtual Ice Cream Race, visit https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=134655

Upcoming events

Through August 31: Conquer Everest Elevation Challenge. Virtual event based on total elevation climb. runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/Anywhere/ConquerEverestChallenge

runsignup.com/Race/PA/Rocksylvania/RocksylvaniaVirtualChallenge

Saturday, 9 a.m.: St. Barnabas Free Care 5k, Gibsonia. Now a virtual event. 724-625-3770 or stbarnabashealthsystem.com/stbarnabas5k

Saturday, 9 a.m.: Clarion Bobcat 5k Trail Run, Shippenville. Run at Clarion County Park. Also virtual option. kmurtha@clarion-schools.com or runsignup.com/Race/PA/Shippenville/Bobcat5kTrailRunWalk

Saturday, 8 a.m.: Canoe Creek Triathlon, Duathlon, 5k Run or 2 Mile Walk, Hollidaysburg. www.blairregionalymca.org/raceseries/canoe-creek-races/

Aug. 8, 7:30 a.m.: Two Faced 10k, Allison Park. Run 10k on road, trail or both in North Park. runsignup.com/Race/PA/Wexford/TwoFace10K

Aug. 8, 8:30 a.m.: Clearfield YMCA Fair Fun 5k Run/Walk and 100 Meter Kids Dash, Clearfield. Held at Clearfield Fairgrounds. 814-765-5521 or vj182006@hotmail.com

Aug. 10 through Aug. 31: 8th Annual Passavant Hospital Foundation 4k/8k Virtual Race. Complete the loop course in person at North Park Pool area on Aug. 14 or virtually anytime. 412-748-6641 or online registration at runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittsburgh/8thAnnualPassavantHospitalFoundationRunWalk

Race results

519 Strong 2.9 Miles, June 20: Jeremy Shutters, 1st Overall M, 24:15; Tatiana Holt, 1st Overall W, 37:28; Adam Luther, 2nd Overall M, 25:13; Clinton Graff, 3rd Overall M, 28:19; Blaine Gold, 1st 30-39 M, 30:38; Mike Carson, 2nd 30-39 M, 32:35; Mark Courtney, 1st 60+ M, 33:38; Debbie Courtney, 1st 50-59 W, 38:19

Kiski Area Shamrock Run 5k, July 19: Eric Kennedy, 1st Overall M, 16:32; Jordan Fairman, 1st Overall W, 22:07; Falyn Kiebler, 2nd Overall W, 22:26; Dave Gerger, 1st 30-39 M, 21:58; Erin Kohlmeyer, 2nd 30-39 W, 27:32; Patrick Matkozich, 3rd 40-49 M, 33:47; John Patrus, 43:30

Ohio River Trail Summer Event 5k, July 19: Heath Piper, 1st Overall M, 18:31; Carson Clouse, 3rd Overall M, 19:15; Lauren MEhler, 1st Overall W, 20:33; Maureen Ginsburg, 2nd Overall W, 21:28; Tyler Pond, 2nd 15-19 M, 21:50; Selah Sheesley, 1st 14 & Under W, 23:28; Alyssa Lynch, 1st 20-24 W, 23:57; Mitch Radella, 1st 55-59 M, 24:30

Ohio River Trail Summer Event 10k, July 19: Eric Shafer, 1st Overall M, 37:51; Kyle Ford, 3rd Overall M, 40:54; Amanda Fire, 1st Overall W, 40:58; Jessica Horvath, 3rd Overall W, 44:39; Bob Gracie, 1st 70-74 M, 54:21; Kristina Roland, 2nd 35-39 W, 1:04:37

Rube’s Run 5k, July 25: August Sander, 1st Overall M, 17:46; Colton Jenkins, 2nd Overall M, 18:39; Keith Jenkins, 3rd Overall M, 19:03; Douglas Basinski, 1st Masters M, 19:49; Anna Cohen, 1st Overall W, 20:08; Stephanie Schofield, 2nd Overall W, 21:48; Melissa Good, 3rd Overall W, 23:14; Lori Masters, 1st asters W, 23:59; Jake Smith, 1st 18-29 M, 19:44; Austin Stewart, 1st 13-17 M, 20:25; Jeff Smith, 1st 50-59 M, 20:36; Carter Williams, 2nd 13-17 M, 21:31; Nick Stutz, 2nd 18-29 M, 21:35; Ryan Purvis, 3rd 18-29 M, 22:17; Mick Quen, 1st 40-49 M, 22:38; Tom Pisano, 2nd 50-59 M, 22:48; Tim Sloan, 3rd 50-59 M, 23:14; Carly Amon, 1st 13-17 W, 23:46; Andrew Menchyk, 2nd 40-49 M, 24:15; Tessa Szymanski, 1st 12 & Under W, 24:18; Samantha Frazier, 2nd 13-17 W, 24:21; Wendy Wick, 1st 40-49 W, 24:48; Amanda Lewis, 3rd 13-17 W, 24:52; Bernadette Lewis, 2nd 40-49 W, 24:54; Rod Brest, 1st 70+ M, 25:33; Ethan Williams, 3rd 13-17 M, 25:50; Abigail Benninger, 1st 18-29 W, 26:00; Eric Miller, 1st 30-39 M, 26:53; Kendall Emmert, 2nd 12 & Under W, 26:56; Jennifer Landau, 3rd 40-49 W, 27:01; Dennis Murko, 2nd 60-69 M, 27:43; Michelle Pekich, 1st 50-59 W, 28:16; Riley Gallagher, 2nd 18-29 W, 28:25; Emily Frazier, 3rd 12 & Under W, 28:32; Erica Lutz, 3rd 18-29 W, 29:53; J.Gary Sutton, 3rd 60-69 M, 30:54; Susie Beardsley, 2nd 50-59 W, 31:09; Kristine Midcap, 3rd 50-59 W, 31:30; Anthony Sunseri, 2nd 70+ M, 33:24; Vickie Turner, 1st 60-69 W, 35:33; Kathy Shoaf, 1st 70+ W, 35:41; Carol English, 3rd 60-69 W, 37:31; Duke Snyder, 3rd 70+ M, 39:34; Pamela Beck, 1st 30-39 W, 40:03; Sondra Hall, 2nd 70+ W, 40:30; Eric Lewis, 2nd 30-39 M, 40:31; Julie Lewis, 2nd 30-39 W, 40:33; Keaton Olsheski, 1st 12 & Under M, 44:04; Christopher Olsheski, 3rd 30-39 M, 44:37; Fonda Snyder, 3rd 70+ W, 53:54; Charynn Olsheski, 3rd 30-39 W, 54:49; Jim Gallagher, 22:47; Mitch Radella, 23:58; Sean Quen, 26:23; Kyle Barnes, 26:29; Hannah Plunkard, 27:30; Becki Williams, 28:08; Donia Fox, 28:36; Doug Midcap, 28:39; Megan Plunkard, 29:52; Josh Tustin, 30:06; Brooke Schaefers, 30:08; Eric Schultheis, 30:59; Autumn Quen, 31:29; Laura Augustine, 31:44; Suzanne Schaefers, 31:58; Ed Brown, 32:20; Emily Brown, 32:21; Mark Pekich, 32:36; Madison Emmert, 32:44; Joann Gordon, 33:13; Amy Lehman, 33:34; Robin Trinko, 33:57; Drew Menchyk, 34:06; Bob Mcvey, 34:22; Mark Dublin, 34:31; Brandon David, 35:28; Dave Byers, 36:25; Heidi Tustin, 37:31; Tom Turner, 37:36; Brandon Williams, 38:18; Elliette Smith, 38:40; Carrie Birckbichler-Smith, 38:49; Dana Snyder, 40:26; Grace Lewis, 40:30; Debra Kuminkoski, 41:22; Peter M. Winkler, 41:34; Dezso Csizmadia, 41:54; Mark Schaefers, 42:56; Bruce Miller, 44:03; Chloe Mccall, 47:15; Madelyn Olsheski, 47:15; Kim Kenetz, 49:39; Tammy Steele, 54:07; Randy Anno, 55:00; Peter Anno, 55:00; Michael Marra, 55:56; Robert Meals, 55:57

Send comments and suggestions: Patricia Neubert. Phone 724-352-4395. Email lotzak@consolidated.net

Pat Neubert is a running columnist for the Butler Eagle