More than 130 runners, walkers and volunteers gathered Saturday morning for the inaugural Schoolyard Run & Walk, an event organized by the Rich-Mar Rotary Satellite Club to honor the lives of two beloved community members, Bob Utz and Mary Lord, while raising funds for scholarships and cancer-related causes.
“This is the first year for this race,” Ruey said. “We’ve been working on it since October and November. We got 130 participants for the first year of a race, so that’s pretty good.”
This year’s scholarship recipients include Mars Area High School graduates Riley Carrel and Kathryn Mueller, along with Pine-Richland graduates Ella Learish and Madeline Luisi. Each recipient plans to pursue a career in the healthcare field.
For many participants, however, the day was about more than scholarships and fundraising. It was also a chance to celebrate the lives of Bob Utz and Mary Lord, two individuals remembered for their commitment to serving others.
“It’s such an honor to remember Bob,” she said. “He would have been here today working and feeling good about helping people with cancer.”
A lifelong Mars resident, Utz spent 25 years in the insurance and financial planning industry before being diagnosed with melanoma. The experience inspired him to pursue a second career in education. In his 50s, he returned to school, earned his teaching degree and became a mathematics teacher in the Pine-Richland School District.
“He loved education,” Connie Utz said. “He loved kids learning and furthering their education.”
Patricia Lord said the event was a fitting tribute to her daughter, Mary, whose passion for Rotary and helping others touched many lives.
“Mary loved Rotary,” Lord said. “She loved helping people and she loved working with the exchange students. Helping others was always important to her.”
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Young Adult Survivors United (YASU), a Wexford-based nonprofit that provides emotional, social and financial support for young adults diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers. Founded in 2020, the organization serves individuals diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 18 and 45 and has grown into a national support network.
Derek Allinder, YASU’s director of development, said the organization was grateful to be selected as a beneficiary of the event.
The event also featured a competitive 5K race. Sean Lindell captured the men’s title with a winning time of 19 minutes, 7 seconds, while Meghan McNabb was the top female finisher, crossing the finish line in 19:37. Their performances highlighted a morning that brought together runners, walkers, volunteers and supporters united behind a common cause.
“It’s awesome for organizations like Rotary to put on events like this and think of us,” Allinder said. “It’s just awesome to have the community come together. It really means a lot and reminds us of our mission.”
For organizers, the success of the first Schoolyard Run & Walk was measured not only by the funds raised, but by the spirit of community on display throughout the morning.
As participants crossed the finish line, volunteers cheered them on, scholarship recipients were recognized, and the memories of Bob Utz and Mary Lord lived on through a cause dedicated to helping others — something both honorees spent their lives doing.