Joe Schwartz '83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk to Take Place on Alumni Weekend

See results and photos from the first race

May 31, 2008 – 7 a.m. – Featherbed Field – Haverford College

After a successful turnout in April, the race will happen again for alumni to participate in.

Joe Schwartz graduated from Haverford College in 1983. He was a committed member of Haverford’s cross country and track teams for the four years he attended Haverford, and he excelled in both sports. He encouraged those who won MAC Championships as well as students who participated in the sport to be part of something bigger than themselves, to be part of what has become a proud tradition of athletic excellence at Haverford. In 1995, Joe contracted Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 34. He first noticed the symptoms when he was out training for road races. He has courageously endured the hardships imposed by this cruel disease for thirteen years until his unfortunate death on March 2nd of this year. Joe is the father of two young men, one of whom runs cross country for his high school.

The Joe Schwartz ’83 Memorial 3K Run/Walk is designed to attract the running superstar and the walking novice because that is exactly how Joe would want it. He simply loved people lacing up their shoes and enjoying the freedom to run and walk, a freedom that was deprived from Joe by ALS. Proceeds from the Run/Walk will be donated to the ALS Association and directed towards ALS research. The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the fight against ALS. The cause, cure and means of control of ALS are unknown. Symptoms of ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, include the wasting and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk as well as those that control vital functions such as speech, swallowing and respiration. Over 5,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year.

T-shirts will be sold and donations will be accepted at the race.