Greensburg's Freedom 5K will follow Five Star Trail, benefit heart research

Running can help support a healthy heart.

Those who run in Monday’s 21st Freedom 5K race, beginning and ending at Greensburg’s Lynch Field, will help the hearts of others as well.

The annual race, which includes a virtual option, benefits the American Heart Association.

Money from sponsorships and entry fees generates more than $10,000 per year for heart research, according to Excela Health cardiologist Dr. Larry DeNino, who founded the race and has participated in it every year.

“We had about 160 people the first year,” he said. “Twice we’ve hit 300 runners.

“We’re at 139 signed up so far this year, and we often have 60 to 100 people sign up on race day. We have people from eight states signed up,” including a family from Michigan.

On Monday, four waves of runners will start from Lynch Field, beginning at 8:30 a.m., and will head along the Five Star Trail, to Mt. Pleasant Street and back. Walkers also can participate, as well as teams of three or more people.

It’s the second year the race has followed the trail. “It gives people a bit of shade for about two miles,” DeNino said.

Water stations will be available along the course.

Early registration is available through 11:59 p.m. Saturday for $20, with early race packet pickup and in-person registration from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gingerbreadman Running Co. store, in Hempfield’s Eastgate shopping center. For online registration and information, visit runsignup.com and search for Greensburg Freedom 5K.

Race Day registration begins at 7:15 a.m. at the pavilion near Veterans’ Memorial Swimming Pool. The cost remains $20 for those age 19 or younger or 65 or older; all others will pay $25.

Kids age 10 or younger can sprint around the Lynch Field soccer field in a separate Sparkler event. with registration during and after the 5K. There is an $8 fee.

Those who can’t attend in person can choose a virtual option, completing their race anytime during July. Virtual racers can upload their finish times at runsignup.com and may pick up an event T-shirt beginning on about July 7 at the Gingerbreadman Running store.

DeNino, 61, has engaged in running at various levels since his high school days. He completed the New York Marathon during his senior year in college and has finished seven marathons since he turned 40.

He’s at No. 39 in his mission to run at least one race in each of the 50 states.

“I hope to get done by the time I’m 65 or 66,” he said. “Maybe No. 50 will be in Hawaii.”