Northampton County Council voted unanimously at its meeting last Thursday to help fund the St. Luke's D&L Racefest on November 12 with $25,000. This money comes from hotel tax revenue, which must be spent for tourism facilities as well as community development initiatives that enhance tourism. This grant was also endorsed enthusiastically by Executive Lamont McClure. He told me he plans to run the marathon and qualify for Boston. He runs nightly between pickleball matches.
Racefest is actually a combination of four separate races: a marathon (26.2 mi) extending from Allentown to Easton; a marathon relay race made up of teams who run 5 different stages; a half-marathon between Bethlehem and Easton; and a half marathon walk between Bethlehem and Easton.
Council member Tom Giovanni is leading the relay team consisting of himself, John Cusick, John Goffredo, Lori Vargo Heffner and anchor Ron Heckman. Council member Tara Zrinski refuses to participate, claiming it's a conflict.
VIA sponsored this event for many years. It included a four or five stage relay and a 22-mile run that was called the Ironman. The first time I ran it, I accidentally signed up for the Ironman,. Attorney Chris Spadoni ran with me for the first leg. Though I torment him relentlessly as County Council Solicitor, he is an excellent running coach. He kept me from running too fast. It is largely thanks to his pacing that I was able to finish 22-miles. After that, I participated a few more times over the years. It was a grueling race because it was in July, not November. One year, there was no water between Freemansburg and Easton.
I'm glad to see the race taking place in November instead of July. It's a lot easier to run when in the Fall. I also like that the former 22-mile race has been converted into a marathon at which people can qualify for Boston.
I've ridden this trail regularly this summer from the Easton end. Most of it is shaded. Running alongside a river keeps you cool and the D&L Trail cuts the wind. What I particularly dislike is the mile or so leading to the boat launch by Rte 33. The trail is like a railroad bed there, with gravel chunks that are too large. I won't run that stretch and even cycling alongside it is miserable. I'd prefer to go up Hope Road and get on the Palmer Bike Path. That's more hilly, but a few hills are actually good for long-distance runners. The surface is macadam and more forgiving than the huge lumps of gravel tossed along the trail to the boat launch. The D&L between the boat club in Bethlehem Township and Freemansburg is also prone to wash-outs.
D&L gave a lengthy presentation to County Council last week, but I'll spare you the details. Events like these are obviously very good for tourism, hotels and local businesses. An added bonus is that the trail avoids roads.
The registration fees are expensive. The marathon fee starts at $110 and goes up to $160 as more people enter.
13 comments:
McClure wasting taxpayer money again! He needs to go along with his appointees.
Wondering what TeamTara's conflict is? I can't see how running a relay is a conflict but, then again, her logic at times can be befuddling.
Otherwise, this is great. The D&L Trail is an asset to the region. Its importance and wonder cannot be overstated.
"Wondering what TeamTara's conflict is? "
Neither Council nor McClure is running this race. I just was screwing around.
I preferred the D&L half marathon that started up north (Slatington?) and followed the river down to its finish in Northampton. It was a gentle run, with just a few hills at the beginning.
Did that get swallowed up and relocated by the combined event?
If McClure is participating, he must be planning to have real runners carry him.
Another waste of taxpayer money, What a surprise from this admin
"McClure wasting taxpayer money again! He needs to go along with his appointees." ... "Another waste of taxpayer money, What a surprise from this admin:
This grant was approved by all 9 members of Council, including its 5 Rs. This is not real estate tax revenue, but hotel tax money. That revenue can only be spent on events and places that promote tourism. The various fests in Easton as well as Musikfest all do this. So does this race. I've participated in the past, and know it attracts a huge crowd from Allentown to easton. They spend money to stay in local hotels and will shop and eat here. This is a perfect use of hotel tax money, and I am sure the Republican owners of the small businesses ands hops who benefit will agree. Your comments are steeped in ignorance.
Honestly I don’t think it’s fair to comment on whether it’s a waste of money or not without seeing a budget for the event, understanding what being paid for and who else is kicking in.
"All 5 R's" 🤣🤣🤣 you make me laugh Ohare
Um there are 5 Rs. They are the majority. Myers switched and Rs held a news conference to embrace him. Maybe they haven't passed one of your goofy litmus tests. Do they have to invade the capitol? Prance around wrapped in flags and AR15?
Let's see the detailed budget before trashing the waste. Because transparency (the lack of which is worse than the waste). Meanwhile, children are hungry and veterans are homeless and forgotten. But hey, those stylish running types ....
That was done during the lengthy committee meeting that preceded the vote. Hotel tax money may only be spent on items that promote tourism and when people come from all over for a marathon, that is precisely what happens.
I'm disappointed you didn't publish my last comment, it's sad you assume I'm allied with the degenerates in the Norco GOP. Anyone who attended Jan6th should be examined because they walked into a trap. Violence of any kind is inexcusable be it left or right. I don't prance in flags or with guns because I have nothing to prove.
Post a Comment