Owego Cross Country Program and the OA Sports Boosters Club to lead Strawberry Shake 5K

The Strawberry Shake 5K Committee and Tioga County Tourism announce that the Owego Apalachin Sports Booster Club, under the lead of the Owego Cross Country Program, will be overseeing the Strawberry Shake 5K, planned for June 16, beginning with the 2017 race. 

Current race director, Christine Hafer, and former Tioga County Tourism Director, Stella Reschke, started the race in 2011 under the Tourism Office. Since then, it has grown to become a popular community event in conjunction with the Owego Strawberry Festival Block Party, with over 800 participants in 2016. 

“The 5K is a wonderful event that promotes the charms of the village of Owego, the Owego Strawberry Festival, engages and supports youth sports organizations and has become an annual tradition that we have been proud to support,” said Rebecca Maffei, current director of Tioga County Tourism. 

Maffei and Loreen Maley, assistant director of Tourism, were committee members along with Hafer and Co-Race Director, Heather Gunther. Hafer and Gunther will continue to organize the event with Owego Apalachin Boosters, working closely with the Owego Cross Country Program. 

“After five wonderful years collaborating with Tioga Tourism on the popular Strawberry Shake 5K race, we are happy to announce that we will now be partnering with the Owego Apalachin Cross Country Program along with the Boosters Club. While we are sad to see our partnership with Tourism end, we are excited to tap into the excellent parent and student affiliations this new partnership with OFA Cross Country and Boosters will bring,” said Hafer. 

According to Maffei, handing over the race to the Owego Boosters is a response to changes to the tourism office’s focus. 

“Tourism opportunities are expanding in Tioga County and our office has taken on a more intensive marketing vision and new initiatives,” she said. 

In the past, the 5K Committee has relied heavily on youth sports organizations for volunteers, so they looked to the Owego Boosters because they have an active volunteer base, the operations to carry out the administration of the race, and the proceeds will continue to financially support a youth sports organization.

“Although the race is important to us, we recognize the Boosters have resources and networks that are better suited to overseeing the race, and with Heather and Christine on board, we are confident it will continue to be a well-run and fun, family event,” said Maffei. 

The Owego Apalachin Boosters is an all-volunteer organization that supports 22 athletic teams in the Owego Apalachin School District. They provide support and fundraising to the athletic programs in the Owego Apalachin School District to continue to help build the youth sports programs. 

“We are very excited to partner with the community to coordinate an event that promotes a healthy, fun, family activity for everyone. We also are looking forward to students having the opportunity to become actively involved in volunteering in their community,” said Becky Bowers, parent representative from the Owego Apalachin Booster Club. 

The Strawberry Shake 5K and Kids’ Shortcake 1-Mile will be held on Friday, June 16, 2017. For more information on the 2017 Strawberry Shake 5K, please call Tioga County Tourism at (607) 687-7440 and they will direct you to appropriate person for you inquiry. You can also visit runsignup.com.