RADNOR – Frost blanketed the grass tips in Encke Park next to the Radnor Township building early Sunday morning and temperatures started in the 30s. But crisp autumn air would soon be accompanied by a Sunny skies showcasing the park’s vivid foliage and conditions would prove ideal for the hundreds of runners and walkers taking part in the American Lung Association’s 45th Annual Radnor Run.

This year’s runs and walks attracted 528 participants: 315 for the 5-Mile Radnor Run, 68 for the One-Mile Timed Run and 145 for the 2-Mile Trail Walk. The course of running events started and ended in front of the Radnor Township Building and weaved its way through the neighborhoods of Wayne. Now in its second year, the relaxing trail walk was on the paved, tree-lined Radnor Trail.

“The American Lung Association is thrilled to be a part of this longstanding tradition,” said Caroline Hutchinson, executive director of the Pennsylvania Lung Association. “It was a great day and a great turnout from sponsors, runners, walkers and volunteers. We are extremely grateful for the support of Radnor Township and the community! »

For the signature race of the event, the certified 5-mile timed race, Mike Padilla, 48, of Phoenixville, took home the fastest overall male runner with a time of 28:33. The trophy, which debuts this year, honors Emlen Tunnell, who was a Garrett Hill native and Radnor High School graduate, who became an NFL Hall of Fame defensive back and later a trailblazing coach.

Grace Moore, 24, of Wayne, won the Jody’s Cup, clocking 28:18, for the fastest runner overall. The trophy is named in honor of the memory of Radnor Township resident Jody Lynn Sack.

Other winners include CLM, a 29-member team affiliated with Wayne’s Club La Maison, which received the Fitness Center Challenge trophy.

This year’s Radnor Run, which was founded by Radnor Township in the late 1970s, raised more than $87,000, according to early estimates.

Proceeds from the Radnor Run support anti-smoking advocacy, including vaping, and research to fight COVID-19, COPD, lung cancer and asthma, among other lung diseases.

“All of this fundraising has made a difference,” said Dr. John M. Vasudevan, who works in physical medicine and rehabilitation, sports medicine, at Penn Medicine Radnor. Penn Medicine is a longtime sponsor of the event.

“I’m really proud for everyone who came out,” said Dr. Rocklan D. Walker, founder of I|M Health in Wayne, a community health center and sponsor of the event.
Walker explained that the fundraiser was personal to him, as he lost his father to lung cancer 10 years ago.

And this year’s top fundraiser is Radnor resident Paul O’Connor, who along with his team raised a total of $12,694. O’Connor, who is chairman of the Radnor Run Committee and co-owner of Apt Management, a Radnor-based property management and investment firm, said his enthusiasm for fundraising for the American Lung Association is an effort of collaboration: “We are very grateful and grateful for the support of our family, friends and colleagues.