Run For Your Heart Coal House 5K Benefits Heart Association

A couple of hundred runners turned out Sunday to help raise money in the fight against heart disease and stroke.  The Run For Your Heart Coal House 5K was held at the Vestal Rail Trail.  Proceeds from entry fees and donations will be counted as part of the money raised during next Sunday's 24th annual Heart Walk to be held at Binghamton University.

18 year-old Jack Hillenbrand, a senior track athlete from Harpursville High School finished with a time of 16:31 to win the event.  The best female time posted was by Lydia Werner finishing the course in 19:10.  Contestants of all ages participated and several walked the length of the paved 5K course on the Rail Trail.

Last year's run was held prior to the Heart Walk on campuis at Binghamton University.  This year it was decided to hold the race on a separate day and the Rail Trail was selected as a new site.

Next Sunday hundreds of walkers will participate in the Heart Walk.  Registration begins at 10 AM with the walk starting around 12:30.   The Heart Association is hoping to raise over $250,000 from the combination of fund-raisers centered around the Heart Walk.  Information on the walk and pre-registration is available at SouthernTierHeartWalk.org.