Events
Place
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA US 17837
Description
Legend has it (and has been corrected!) that in 2003 Marcus "Smokey" Jones '03 turned a long run into a challenge to see if he can successfully run from the Penn State campus back to Bucknell along PA Route 45. The runner was inspired by the "Run the USA" completed by Scott Sehon '00 and Dave Brofenbrenner '00 earlier that year from Sea Bright, NJ to Florence, OR (https://tinyurl.com/RunTheUSA). After completing this 55 mile journey this "challenge" immediately became a tradition for out-of-season student-athletes who have been doing it ever since.
2020 was a year unlike any other. COVID-19 pandemic saw our Bucknell student-athletes leaving campus early, cancellation of the spring track season, postponement of graduation ceremonies and an uncertainty around fall sports.
In partnership with the Fred Torres Memorial Fund, we have decided to start the Long Town 55 Challenge as a virtual fundraiser for the Bucknell XC/T&F Spiked Shoe Club to show our support for the outgoing seniors, the current student-athletes and the XC/T&F Program.
Please join us by running, jogging or walking the equivalent of the traditional Long Town 55 from Penn State back to Bucknell to show your support for the Bucknell XC and T&F teams. We hope to make this virtual fundraiser an annual event so we can keep the Long Town 55 "tradition" alive and continue to support our student-athletes.
How This Works:
- Your registration is a fundraiser to complete a total of 55 miles over the course of a 4 week period from mid-June to mid-July. The 55 miles represents the equivalent of the run that some graduating seniors choose to traditionally run before they leave campus. The "real" run is from Bucknell University to Penn State along PA Route 45.
- You can try to complete the 55 mile goal in one (1) run or as many runs as you choose. You will be able to track your progress here until your reach the goal. Before the challenge begins, you will receive instructions on how to log your runs.
- You can compete in the challenge on your own or form a team (all team members must complete the challenge miles). You can also choose to complete this challenge as a fundraiser and encourage friends and family to help you raise money for the Spiked Shoe Club.
- Everyone who completes the goal will receive a custom Long Town 55 t-shirt.
- 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Bucknell XC/T&F Spiked Shoe Club through the 501c3 non-profit, The Fred Torres Memorial Fund.
- Have fun, take photos, share to social media and support our Program and student-athletes! Go Bison!
Race Contact Info
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About Fred Torres Memorial Fund
The Fred Torres Memorial Fund was created in memory of Fred Torres, father of Bucknell XC/T&F alum Brian Torres '98. Brian Torres was an XC and 800m runner at Bucknell. Fred Torres was known to rarely miss any meet, no matter the travel distance. He was known for his enthusiasm for the sport and Bucknell, often finding his way onto parts of the XC course and track that were "questionable" for spectator access. Fred had quite the running resume himself as well as creating Elite Racing Systems, a timing and scoring company, in 1982.
In 2014, Fred suddenly passed due to a heart attack doing what he loved most....he was out for a morning run. His family created the memorial fund to primarily provide scholarships to graduating XC/T&F student-athletes of the high school alma mater of his son and daughter, Clifton (NJ) High School. To support the scholarships, the Fund created The Fred Torres Memorial 5K which is a XC race held every October. In addition, the Fred Torres Memorial Fund has provided support for youth track camps and educational programs.
The Fred Torres Memorial Fund is proud to continue their mission of supporting student-athletes by partnering to bring you the Long Town 55 Challenge.
Directions
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