Gracie Gioiosa

The 2022 Sweats for Vets organizers smile after a successful day.

On Sunday Nov. 5, runners, walkers and hikers will gather at Brush Mountain Sportsman’s Association for the ninth annual Sweats for Vets Challenge. This race is held by the Sweats for Vets board and benefits local veterans.

“All the money that we raise goes back to anyone in need that is a veteran in the area. So it’s not like it goes somewhere from out of state or, it all stays local,” race coordinator Tina Kunstbeck said. 

The 10k trail run is to start at 11a.m., start-time for the 5k run/walk is to begin at 11:15a.m. 

“Last year I ran the 5k. It was really fun and a great experience. This year I’m doing it again and running the 10k. I’m really excited,” sophomore Emerson Snare said. 

 Newly added this year is the ½ mile Young Recruits Race open to 5-12 year olds is to start at noon. 

“We thought of it because there were some kids that wanted to do the 5k, but it was still a little too long for them,” Kuntzbeck said. “There are a lot of families who come with young kids, so we thought it would be a good thing to add to the event.”

This new race is very exciting to young runners, like Evangeline Broaddrick, a member of the Altoona Junior High Cross Country team.

“I just got into cross country this year, but I’m really happy that there’s more races for my age group,” Broaddrick, a seventh grader, said. 

After the race, participants are urged to stay for awards and a post race party that will have plenty of food, drinks, and entertainment.

“It’s a lot of fun. There will be a lot of support that comes from a lot of local older veterans, they’ll be the ones to hand out coins at the finish of the race,” Kunstbeck said.