Laurel Memorial Run Flag Relay Completed Amid Poor Air Quality

The flag relay run for the 30th annual Laurel Memorial Run and Walk went on as scheduled on Friday despite the poor air quality in the area. It began with a ceremony at the Resource Center's (TRC) Jamestown location and ended at about midday with a victory celebration at its Dunkirk site on Lake Shore Drive West. TRC's Steve Waterson says representatives from area high schools did not participate because of the smoky air, but there were still a handful of people who walked or rode during the 31-mile trek...

Steve Waterson: who participated

One of the three runners who ran the entire 31-mile "Laurel-thon" was Joel Newburg...

Joel Newburg: was a nice day

Mike Pietrkiewicz, a marathon runner, told Kix Country's Tony Lynn that it's the first time he has gone more than 26 miles...

Mike Pietrkiewicz: good feeling but hard

Newburg and Pietrkiewicz were joined by Keith Mackowiak, who says the three helped raise over $8,000 for this year's event. Proceeds from Laurel Memorial Run and Walk benefit people with developmental disabilities in Chautauqua County.

Meanwhile, most of Saturday's activities in Silver Creek related to the Laurel Memorial Run and Walk will take place as scheduled. The only event that will not place is Laurel's Legacy Lap, with an Air Quality Index forecast to be unhealthy.

Pictured, from left to right: Joel Newburg, Wayne Hotelling, Keith Mackowiak, Mike Pietrkiewicz, Elaine Hotelling. Photo by Tony Lynn