Pennsylvania Town Holds Run for the Diamonds Marathon

In a time where it seems it is hard to find people who want to go for a run, you need look no further than Berwick, PA in the month of November to find a group of people willing to prove you wrong. Every Thanksgiving, the town of Berwick hosts the annual Run for the Diamonds: a unique and historic race in which the top finishers in 40-49, 50-59, and 60 over age groups as well as the top seven males and females to finish overall are rewarded with diamonds. Men are awarded diamond rings while the females are awarded diamond pendants. Awards for achievements within age divisions also include diamond trophies.

One hundred years ago this year a group of runners created the race, which is the fourth oldest road race in the country, and now averages 1,000 runners each year. It has been run every year except 1918 and 1919, making the upcoming race in 2009 the 100th race since it began. Members of the community consider the race a sort of kickoff to Thanksgiving, as it has been held on the holiday since it began and run deep within the town’s history.

There is a great deal of competition in the Run for the Diamonds, and the race has even seen its share of legends. H. Browning Ross won the race ten times, including seven in a row. He went on to win numerous national running championships and founded the Road Runner Club of America. He is considered by many to be the grassroots developer of long distance running and is credited with turning the little known sport into the Running Boom that it became in the 1970′s. Perhaps most notable, however, is his loss in 1958. He had been neck and neck with a man from Pittsburgh named Bob Carman for the entire race. At the end of the race, it was neck and neck and there was a photographer standing in Carman’s path. Knowing a straight line was his best shot and too exhausted to go around, Carman did the only thing he had the remaining strength to do, colliding head on with the photographer but crossing the finish line in just enough time to be declared the winner.

There have been a number of memorable races during the history of the Run for Diamonds. The first race involved thirteen men running a muddy and rocky course capped off by a steep climb up Summer Hill. The race was won with a time of 59 minutes and 37 seconds by a Harry Williams, who represented the Rangers Hose and Ladder Company. Other competitors cried foul, claiming that Williams must have held to the back of a buggy to finish with such a time, but the rumor was proven false and Williams is still credited with the first win of the race.

Perhaps the most memorable race is the one that still holds the record for the best finish time. By 1980, the Run for the Diamonds attracted numerous track stars and had actually served as a proving ground for future Olympians. One such future Olympian, Cornell University Graduate Pete Pfitzinger was predicted to win against Penn State track star Greg Fredericks. Pfitzinger ran the mile climb of Summer Hill in just over five and a half minutes, and Fredericks struggled to stay close. He made a push for the finish just as a helicopter moved overhead, blocking the sound of his competitor. Pfitzinger’s final time of forty three minutes and twenty one seconds was enough for him to win the race and to this day is still the fastest finish time in the century long run.

Whether they run for the practice, the prestige, or the diamonds, there is no doubt that runners truly enjoy the Berwick Run for the Diamonds. The race has grown in popularity over the last century and shows no signs of stopping. It is preceded by a pasta dinner the night before and is followed by pizza and beverages.

One family even offers beverages to runners in special Run for the Porch cups. Runners have been accustomed to stopping at this particular porch because there seems to always be a large gathering on race day of fans that come together to cheer, shout, and even dance for the competitors. Racers seem to pick up the pace after the stop, perhaps fueled by the cheering fans.

The Run for the Diamonds is an excellent tradition, and diamonds give amateur racers and even lovebirds something to run for. Competitors often run the race year after year, becoming a part of the historic tradition of the event. This is one Thanksgiving tradition that the locals truly look forward to, and it offers prizes to the winners that they can definitely be thankful for.