Families run, support schools at Tuff Tornado Run
BUTLER TWP — Saturday’s Tuff Tornado Run seemed more fun than tough for the hundreds of adults and children who participated in the annual fundraiser for the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation.
The nonprofit foundation raises money for scholarships and programs in the Butler Area School District. The Tuff Tornado Run raises $15,000 to $18,000 a year for the foundations endeavors.
Twenty-two obstacles, which included a noodle free-for-all, slime run and granny pants toss, were spread out over a two-mile course for the run at Alameda Park.
Even though the final obstacle was the “car wash,” many runners emerged splattered with mud and slime from the mud and slime runs and purple chalk from the color run.
Foundation member Audray Muscatello Yost, who created the run eight years ago, said 434 people registered in advance and more signed up Saturday morning.
She commended volunteer Sam Zurzolo for building the obstacles. Zurzolo shared the credit with a group of volunteers from the Foundation who worked until dark Friday night setting up the course.
Students from the Junior ROTC, Nation Honor Society, Junior National Honor Society and the STAT (Staff Teacher Appreciation and Recognition) programs at Butler Senior High School along with teachers and administrators helped foundation members make the run run smoothly Saturday.
Groups of runners left the starting line every 15 minutes and most took 30 to 35 minutes to complete the course.
“No prizes. Just for fun,” Muscatello said of the event.
Jerrod and Kate Markle brought their children Blair and Margo to the run. The tube slide and color run were Blair’s favorite obstacles, and Margo thought the foam run was the best.
Kate said her family had fun and are happy to help.
“Whatever we can do to support the school,” she said.
Jon and Jess Hamilton ran with Amber Wagner and her son, Case Wagner. Case said the car wash was his favorite obstacle and he wants to participate next year. Jon said he enjoyed the run and appreciated have a clear path through the wooded parts of the course.
“We got slimed,” Jess said.
Melanie Kovach called the run a “fun, chaotic mess” after crossing the finish line with her 11-year-old son Adin. She said they have participated in the run every year.
“The mud and the foam,” Melanie said of her favorite obstacle. “Have fun and support the district. I think it’s a fun day to get the community together.”
Zurzolo said students from Butler County Area Vocational-Technical School built some of the obstacles. Donations from many sponsors resulted in little cost for the foundation.
“We’re thankful and blessed Butler is such a generous community,” Zurzolo said.
Foundation member Lisa Nicholas Konesni said the turnout for the run was amazing and the weather was perfect. Sponsors donated over $20,000 for the event, she said.
“It couldn’t be better,” Konesni said.
