5th Tour de Lititz slated for Saturday

Intelligencer Journal

Jun 12, 2009 00:29 EST

Lititz

By MICHAEL YODER, Staff Writer

On the night that a new graduating class said goodbye to Warwick High School, several past graduates were putting the finishing touches on their own celebration of old school friends and their hometown of Lititz.

Saturday will mark the fifth annual running of the Tour de Lititz, an informal 4-to-5-mile race through the town started by former Warwick athletes.

The run has traditionally begun with a few participants at the starting line and turned into a band of runners headed to friends' homes to encourage them to join. It is not a race or a grueling run, but for the organizers the main goal is to get as many runners as possible.

Eight people ran the first year, and last year 20 runners filled the streets and sidewalks.

"People start turning their heads when they see that many people running," said Chris Good, one of the event's organizers.

The Tour de Lititz began in the summer of 2005 as a small group of Warwick seniors trained for the Red Rose Run.

Since then, the run has turned into a reunion of friends that have gone away to college, mostly from the Warwick class of 2006.

"It's an informal way of seeing friends again without making much effort," Chris said. "Lititz is the place to come back and see old friends."

The run begins at the home of twin brothers Chris and Nick Good on Front Street, looping through town on a somewhat unplanned route with several stops at the homes of friends. The runners take a breather at each stop and encourage more people to join.

The run ends on Cedar Street at the home of Jess Harnly, a Warwick grad and currently a student at Mount Aloysius College. The runners cool off in her family pool, which has turned into one of the most popular components of the event.

Harnly said she has participated in the event since its inception, and she said it has turned into a way to show pride and appreciation in the town.

"I think the (Tour de Lititz) should be a staple in the foundation of our town," Harnly said, with a laugh. "As long as it's set up, I'll come."

Travis Steedle, a Warwick grad and current Lebanon Valley College student, said a pace car leads the group with speakers installed on the roof, playing songs such as "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor.

As more people have become involved, the event has taken a somewhat official appearance. This year the organizers created a Facebook group to allow for easier planning.

"I don't know how high our sights are set, but it could potentially grow into a community event," Steedle said.

The Tour de Lititz starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at 208 Front St. Members of the community are encouraged to lace up their running shoes and run with the group.

E-mail: myoder@lnpnews.com