Runners gave a friendly wave as they enjoy the Elba scenic route.
Press Release:
Walk or run along rolling country hills and past corn and hayfields to help support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Arc GLOW will be hosting its 20th annual Friends & Family 5K and Fun Walk on September 21. It is an event which gives people of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to participate. It also welcomes and embraces the participation of the people Arc GLOW serves, aligning with their mission to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and community.
Taste of Country, the signature event within the Friends and Family 5K, features a wonderful display of fruits and vegetables donated by area farmers. Runners, walkers, sponsors and volunteers each have the opportunity to take some home with them.
Arc GLOW expects over 300 runners and walkers this year. The event’s post party features live music by The Buffalo Road Show with Jim and Babe Catino, kid’s activities, food, beverages and award ceremony.
Sandy Konfederath has been the race director since the event began. It originally started in Batavia, but due to planned road reconstruction, the event was moved to the country in 2008.
“It was our best decision ever,” Konfederath said. “Because along with the country route, we incorporated the country theme.”
Mary Anne Graney
The Friends and Family 5K began as a memorial to Mary Anne Graney, a parent, educator, advocate and friend to Arc GLOW who died in 2004. Her dedication to people with IDD and their families enriches countless lives. The Bluebonnet sponsorship is in honor of Graney’s Texas roots.
The Graney family is pleased funds raised in the 5K help support education through the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship program, which is presented to area high school seniors planning to further their studies in human services, special education or related fields. The event also helps fund various programs and services Arc GLOW offers for individuals with IDD.
Terri Carr Krieger
In 2017, the Friends and Family 5K combined forces with the former 5K held in memory of Arc staff member Terri Carr Krieger. Krieger was a longtime employee who lost her battle with cancer in 1997. The Blue Spruce sponsor level is in Krieger’s honor.
Dr. Ramon M. Rocha
Finally, for many years the Livingston-Wyoming 5K was held in memory of Dr. Ramon M. Rocha. He passionately believed in the possibilities of life, and has been an endless source of inspiration for people of all ages and abilities.
A beloved family man and enthusiastic volunteer, the Blue Knight sponsorship connects Dr. Rocha to SUNY Geneseo where he was a respected professor.
“We’ve had sponsors and donors support us in this event since day one,” Konfederath said. “It’s an inclusive event for people of all abilities, and we’re so incredibly thankful for the continued support we receive to make sure this can happen every year.”
The Friends & Family 5K will take place Sept. 21 where check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. and the race beings at 10 a.m. Race t-shirts will be guaranteed for all participants who register by Sept. 10 and until quantities last for walk-ins. It will be held at the Arc Day Habilitation Center, located at 4603 Barrville Road in Elba.
For anyone who wishes to sponsor the 5K, contact Sandy Konfederath at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1715 or skonfederath@arcglow.org by Aug. 26.
Walkers and runners wishing to pre-register and save can do so online at ArcGLOW.org/Event/Friends-Family-5K-and-Fun-Walk or by contacting Konfederath. Runners cost $25 and walkers are $20.
Submitted photos.
Runners and walkers register for the 2023 Friends & Family 5K.
Friends & Family 5K’s Taste of Country offers free vegetables to participants courtesy of local farmers.
Brandon Rebert jumps to an early lead in the GLOW Arc Friends and Family 5K in Elba on Saturday. Photos by Howard Owens.
Oakfield resident Brandon Rebert got off to another fast start in the GLOW Arc Friends and Family 5K, but was a few steps off the pace to break his own record of 18:09 set in 2021.
He won the race in 18:15 for his fourth straight win in the race, starting with a win in 2019 (there was no race in 2020).
Kim Mills of Oakfield, who has also won multiple Elba races, was again the top women's finisher with a time of 20:27, two-tenths of a second faster than her 2022 time.
She finished fifth overall.
Rebert is creeping up on the consecutive winning streak, six, held by Michael Richenberg of Pembroke, who finished fourth on Saturday with a time of 20:24.
Reuben Rivers of Albion, finished second with a time of 19:57, and Rodney Egli of Newark, was third, at 20:10.
Photos by Howard Owens.
Brandon Rebert nears the finish line. Photo by Howard Owens.
Brandon Rebert crossed the finish line in the GLOW Arc Friends and Family 5K on Saturday. Photo by Howard Owens.
Michael Richenberg finishing in fourth on Saturday. Photo by Howard Owens.
Kim Mills and Brandon Rebert. Photo by Howard Owens.
Brandon Rebert took a quick, long lead in the 2022 GLOW Arc Friends and Family 5K in Elba. Photo by Howard Owens.
Press Release:
Come down to Arc GLOW’s Day Habilitation Center in Elba to walk, run, skip, or jump to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
Arc GLOW is hosting its 19th annual Friends & Family 5K and Fun Walk on September 16. It's an event that gives people of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to participate. It also welcomes and embraces the participation of the people Arc GLOW serves, aligning with its mission to support people with disabilities in partnership with their families and community.
Taste of Country, the signature event within the Friends and Family 5K, features a wonderful display of fruits and vegetables donated by area farmers. Runners, walkers, sponsors, and volunteers each have the opportunity to take some home with them.
Arc GLOW expects over 300 runners and walkers this year. The event’s post-party features live music by The Buffalo Road Show with Jim and Babe Catino, kid’s activities, food, beverages, and an award ceremony.
Submitted photo of Mary Anne Graney
The Friends and Family 5K began as a memorial to Mary Anne Graney, a parent, educator, advocate, and friend to Arc GLOW who died in 2004. Her dedication to people with IDD and their families enriches countless lives. The Bluebonnet sponsorship is in honor of Graney’s Texas roots.
The Graney family is pleased funds raised in this event help support education through the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship program. Scholarships are presented to area high school seniors planning to further their studies in human services, special education, or related fields. The money also goes toward helping fund various programs and services Arc GLOW offers for individuals with IDD.
Submitted photo of Terri Carr Krieger
In 2017, the Friends and Family 5K combined forces with the former 5K held in memory of Arc staff member Terri Carr Krieger. Krieger was a longtime employee who lost her battle with cancer in 1997. The Blue Spruce sponsor level is in Krieger’s honor.
Finally, for many years the Livingston-Wyoming 5K was held in memory of Dr. Ramon M. Rocha. He passionately believed in the possibilities of life and has been an endless source of inspiration for people of all ages and abilities. A beloved family man and enthusiastic volunteer, the Blue Knight sponsorship connects Dr. Rocha to SUNY Geneseo where he was a respected professor.
Submitted photo of Dr. Ramon M. Rocha
The Friends & Family 5K will take place September 16 where check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. and the race beings at 10 a.m. Race t-shirts will be guaranteed for all participants who register by September 7 and until quantities last for walk-ins. It will be held at the Arc Day Habilitation Center, located at 4603 Barrville Road in Elba.
For anyone who wishes to sponsor the 5K, contact Sandy Konfederath at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1715 or skonfederath@arcglow.org by Aug. 21. Walkers and runners wishing to register can do so online at ArcGLOW.org or by contacting Konfederath.
Walkers in the GLOW ARC Friends and Family 5k in 2022. Photo by Howard Owens.
Brandon Rebert took a quick, long lead in Saturday's GLOW Arc Friends and Family 5K in Elba, and finished ahead of the rest of the men's field by nearly two minutes.
The Oakfield resident's time of 18:54, however, was a bit short of the course record he set in 2021 at 18:09.
This is the third straight victory (with no race run in 2020) in Elba for Rebert.
Kim Mills, also of Oakfield and another multiple repeat winner in Elba had the second-best time and the best woman's time at 20:29.
Michael Richenberg, of Batavia, who himself previously had a streak of six straight wins in the race, and held the previous course record, came in third overall and second among men at 20:49.
Registration is open for the Arc GLOW Friends and Family 5K, scheduled for Sept. 17 in Elba.
This is the 18th year of the event, which helps raise funds for Arc GLOW and raise awareness off the agency's programs to child, adults, and families with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Funds raised also contribute to the Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship.
Registration is $20 per 5K entrant and $15 for the fun walk.
The after-party includes music, food, children's activities and the "Taste of the County."
Arc of Genesee Orleans will hold its 15th annual Family & Friends 5K and Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Elba.
There will be food, music, kids' activities and face painting at a post-party afterward. It all begins and ends at the Day Habilitation Center, 4603 Barrville Road.
Registration / check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. The 5K run starts at 10 o'clock, with the Fun Walk immediately following.
Register by Sept. 16 for best pricing. After that, rates increase to $25 (5K) and $20 (Fun Walk) up to and including race day.
Sponsorships are available.
Funds raised benefit education through the Arc of Genesee Orleans Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship Fund and programs and services for people served by Arc.
Arc of Genesee Orleans will hold its 14th annual Friends & Family 5K & Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 15 in Elba.
There will be food, fun and music, plus kids' activities, including face painting.
Cost is $20 for the 5K and $15 for the one-and-a-half-mile Fun Walk; but both rates will increase by $5 on race day for those not preregistered. For nonparticipants wishing to attend the post-event party, cost is $5.
There is a small processing fee for online race/walk registrations.
Participants can register for the 5K and Fun Walk online here.
The race will be timed by PCR Timing Service of East Rochester.
Money raised will benefit education through the organization's Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship Fund, and programs and services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities served by Arc, and their families.
Sign up today for sponsorships, which range from $100 to $1,000. Aug. 15 is the cut-off date to put sponsor's names on T-shirts.
On race day, check-in begins at 8:45 a.m. The 5K starts at 10 o'clock, with the Fun Walk immediately following. The starting line is at the Arc Day Habilitation Center main entrance at 4603 Barrville Road, Elba.
For more information, call Race Director Sandy Konfederath at 343-4203, ext. 223, or email her at: skonfederath@geneseearc.org
We'll cut to the chase and tell you: Sam Tambe popped the question to Christina Strang after the ARC 5K race in Elba on Saturday and she accepted his proposal of marriage.
"I was hot and sweaty and she was hot and sweaty, and I couldn't tell if I took her breath away or she was just out of breath," Tambe said this afternoon, with the comedic delivery of a vaudevillian.
At any rate, he thought the venue was apropos.
"We met a year and a half ago at a running club in Oakfield and it grew from there," Tambe said. "I thought it would be appropriate to propose after a race."
He also liked the element of surprise afforded by the 12th annual Genesee ARC Friends & Family race, which raises money for its Mary Anne Graney Memorial Scholarship.
So after crossing the finish line, on bended knee with ring at the ready, he gallantly asked for Christina's hand and she gasped and covered her mouth in shock, letting the moment sink in a second, before answering in the affirmative.
Onlookers seemed delighted by the turn of events. Many clapped and voiced hearty approvals.
The couple plans to have a long engagement. They currently are without firm plans about the kind of wedding they want to have and when they want to have it.
Meanwhile, the 46-year-old fiance and his 41-year-old fiancee run together practically every day and both live in Oakfield, where she owns a home and he rents an apartment. (Strang was three children ages 14, 17 and 20 from a previous marriage. Tambe was also previously married.)
Matrimony will come in its own time.
"I wanted her to know I am serious about my intentions," Tambe said.
For the sixth consecutive year, Mike Richenberg won the ARC 5K in Elba on Saturday. He finished with a time of 19:06. Claire Skowronski, 12, finished the race in 22:08.
Richenberg overcame a nagging calf injury to notch the win.
Photos by Amanda Earl.
Lindsey Coniber, 13, and Laura Neumann, 12 participated in the race.
This morning was the 2nd annual Elba 5K sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Elba.
The men's winner was Michael Richenberg, 21, with a time of 17:34. That's a new course record. Richenberg has run 21 5Ks this season and won seven of them.
The women's winner was Stephanie Schmidt, 18, with a time of 20:14.
Tom Rivers, Daily News staff writer and author of the book "Farm Hands"
Michael Richenberg, 20, from Elba, won the Genesee ARC 5K in Elba on Saturday. His 18:44 time beat Batavia High basketball player Collin Mulcahy, 16, by 12 seconds.
The other top 10 finishers were:
Kimberly Mills, 19, Basom, 19:08
Kevin Lavare, 30, New York, 19:14
Judy Arlington, 44, Lockport, 20:38 Chad Minuto, 34, Batavia, 21:04 Justin Carlson, 13, Le Roy, 21:07 Tom Moran, 57, Batavia, 21:17
Michael Skowronski, 13, Lewiston, 21:21
Patrick Miller, 45, Spencerport, 21:32
The top two women walkers were Kayla Russo, 16, of Williamsville, at 27:06 and Laura Felice, 74, of Jamestown at 40:37.
The top two men walkers were Paul Spiotta, 52, at 42:17 and Clarice Parrag-Graney, 68, at 44:07.
