400 lace up sneakers for Mr. Ed’s Super Bowl run
Photos by Tom Rivers
MIDDLEPORT – Runners take off at the start of the 29th annual Mr. Ed’s Super Bowl Warm-Up, which attracted about 400 participants today in Middleport. The race draws devoted runners from Western New York and Canada.
The race starts and finishes near the lift bridge.
Don Heschke, center, is the race organizer. He waits for the signal to fire the small cannon which lets out a big boom. The cannon has been featured on race shirts and is one of the unique parts of the Mr. Ed’s race.
Many runners showed their football allegiances, including an Eagles fan at left.
This paved section of the towpath provided a break from the mud.
Jason Smith, center, rounds a bend in the race. Smith, the superintendent of Lyndonville Central School, has been a regular at Mr. Ed’s in recent years.
After the 5-kilometer race, runners enjoy chili and a party at the Middleport Fire Hall. Valerie Wood serves the chili. She was among the many volunteers who put on today’s race.
Proceeds from the race go towards scholarships for Roy-Hart grads pursuing careers in law enforcement or emergency medical services (firefighting or EMTs). Race organizers this past June were able to award five scholarships for $1,500 each.
