"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." John Bingham

For as long as I can remember Public Square in Wilkes-Barre was a place for peddlers, poets, preachers, presidents and protesters.

In 1948 my father took me there to see Harry S. Truman campaigning for the presidency.

Twelve years later, I stood with the largest crowd ever assembled in my hometown to cheer on Senator John F. Kennedy when he brought his New Frontier to our city.

On Independence Day, 48 years later, I was back on Public Square surrounded by 650 runners, 100 volunteers and hundreds of spectators who gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bernie’s Memorial Race. Named in honor of Bernie Hargadon, the Executive Director of the Wilkes-Barre YMCA who founded the race in 1983, it has become the premier running event in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Karel Zubris asked us to consider documenting the event this year, and without

hesitation, Kitch and I agreed. Zubris is an impressive media liaison who makes you want to do your best. She knows what media people need, and she removes the obstacles on the road to good coverage. She is enthusiastic, helpful, professional and someone who makes you feel right at home.

In her mind, Bernie’s Memorial Race is an opportunity to meet people, and that’s exactly what we did.

Dave Dobbs is the coordinator of the Luzerne County Triple Crown Road Racing Series. He is an impressive, young executive at First Liberty Bank. He is an engaging person who has a gift with people. During our conversation, I learned that we shared something in common; we were both open-heart patients in 2007. That experience made us fast friends.

During the day his table, which displayed the trophies for the event, became ground zero for Kitch and me. It was our base station, our comfort zone, and our launching pad.

When we arrived there were a handful of volunteers working feverishly to get the fruit stand ready for the runners after the race. There we met one our relatives, Beth Dal Santo, who told us the watermelon, oranges and the like were being prepared so the runners who finished the race could replace vitamins and electrolytes lost during the three-mile run.

On our way to the YMCA, we met Sara Michaels, chairperson of the event and Bernie’s daughter. She told us that the race was originally called the Busch 3- Mile Run. It was renamed the Firecracker Run, and when her father died of a heart attack it was named Bernie’s Memorial Run in his honor. With a smile of sadness and satisfaction, she told us the best thing about the day is the Bernie’s legacy lives on. As she explained the events of the day, I thought to myself how proud her dad must be. This is one very impressive young woman.

Mary Ellen Hogan-Balliet was beaming when she told us: “we have everyone in the family involved. In addition to the three-mile run and the walk, this year we added a half-mile free run for kids."

As we made our way to Main Street, we stopped to talk with Frank Gaval who was setting up the timers with a crew of men from INSTA RESULTS Race Management and Timing. These men took great pride in their work. They knew what they were doing, and they did it well without noise or notice.

A few minutes later we met a family in front of Boscov’s Department Store. I knew it as The Boston Store when I was their age. If ever there was a picture of enthusiasm and anticipation, this was it. Stopping to get a comment from the kids was a treat as one of the youngsters told me with panache, “It’s our tradition.” It was a Linkletter moment.

Little did I know then, but one of the best moments of the day was waiting just about a block away. As Karel led us behind buildings and through parking lots to the entrance of the YMCA, I wondered what it would be like covering the race. I didn’t have time to answer my question, because when I lifted my head I was looking at a red SUV driven by Pat Rushton. Riding shotgun was one of Wilkes- Barre’s finest, former Chief of Police Joe Coyne. Standing next to the open front door was former city councilman and educator, Phil Latinski.

For a few minutes, it was like a homecoming, and we enjoyed every quip including the invitation to ride in the pace car during the race.

Once inside of the YMCA, runners, walkers and volunteers surrounded us. To our surprise, Tim O’Donnell was registering, and Tim Evans introduced us. What a moment. This young man is one of Wilkes-Barre’s best. I know his dad and his brother, but I never had the opportunity to meet this world- class athlete. Home for the holiday, this Naval Academy graduate was the youngest person to try out for the US Triathlon Team. He came in sixth, and he is setting his sights on the 2012 Olympic games. After our conversation and a picture for the scrapbook, I walked away thinking he will make the team and do his city and his country proud.

Tim Evans is a huge supporter of the YMCA. He is a board member and an active participant in its activities. On this day he was helping us do our job by introducing us to people and making it easier for us to get access to places. Tim is the kind of person who would be a success in any community. We are blessed to have him in our hometown.

A brief conversation with John Maday, one of the most articulate enthusiasts for our town, and we were on our way to the Market Street Bridge and the start of the first event, the three-mile walk. As we passed the mansions that once housed the coal barons who made our city famous in the 19th century, I remember walking this same path when I was a youngster headed to Artillery Park with my brother to watch the Wilkes-Barre Barons baseball team. Little did I know then that my journey would take me back to this street in 1968, and a teaching career at King’s College that would last more than a generation.

My thought was broken by the uproariously laughter I heard from three men in the antique roadster 50 feet ahead of me.

Dr. George Moses is one of my favorite people. We came from the same part of town, and we were groomed for life at Mike’s Barbershop located in the shadow of the Flatiron Hotel. Those were the glory days in our hometown. For 42 years, Dr. Moses has been giving his patients personalized care at Mercy Hospital, now known as Geisinger South.

My mother and my sister were both graduates of The Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, and to them George Moses walked on water. On this 4th of July morning he was driving an antique, yellow roadster, the pace car for the foot race. Joe Coyne was riding shotgun, and the man with the starting pistol, Phil Latinski, was riding in the back seat.

Together, they were better than Jay Leno, David Letterman and Conan O’Brien at an Italian wedding. They had everyone who approached the car in stitches.

According to folklore, these three community legends have not missed this race in 25 years. On this day, they were at the top of their game, and Kitch and I were privileged to be part of their audience. Moses told me he looks forward to it every year. He knew Bernie Hargadon, and he liked him. “ Bernie was one of the good guys,” according to Moses and, the race is special “because it is a family affair.”

Attorney Neil O’Donnell and his daughter, Renata, gave truth to what the good doctor said. There they were waiting for the start of the race. Father and daughter, they came to run together. It was a picture of what the race was all about.

For Atty. O’Donnell the race was a celebration of a rejuvenated city, for his daughter it was a morning to be with her dad.

This intelligent, composed, charming 14 year-old put everything into perspective with these words:

“I like to run with my dad, and we’ve done it quite a few years. It’s been a lot of fun, and it brings a lot of people to our town and it shows everyone the nicest parts of our town.”

These thoughtful words from a beautiful child produced an immediate and unequivocal rejoinder from Chief Coyne, “ She said it all judge, and she said it well.”

Renata O’Donnell won the hearts of everyone in the roadster with her radiant smile, her poise and 51 words. It was one of the high points of the day.

As the O’Donnells headed for the starting line, another runner and community treasure approached the car. Mike Korey, friend of Dr. Moses and all around good guy broke everyone up when I asked him this question: “ Mike, standing here next to this car carrying your friends George Moses, Joe Coyne and Phil Latinski, what is going through your head and your heart?”

With a face that was as serious as million-dollar player at a baccarat table, he answered: “ Watch your money.”

The ensuing laughter could be heard three miles away at the finish line. It was a priceless moment, and typical of many that took place in the shadow of the roadster.

Ned McGinley, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, all decked out in his King’s College wrestling shirt told us the race was a beautiful way to start the day. “I will be running with a special group of people who were young at heart and only 61.”

Brian Leighton, a former student and a man with a smile that produced more light than the morning sun, summarized Bernie’s Run with this comment: “It’s just a great race for a great cause for a great person.” His son agreed.

Warren Ruda, another former student, and a photog for the Citizens' Voice, told us what he was looking to capture: “ the start, jumping off the line, enthusiastic faces and the winner crossing the line.“

To be quite honest, I had similar goals, but riding in a roadster with the three grand Pupas of the city complicated my work. They were so funny and so well received by everyone they passed on the course, I could not stop laughing. Moreover, try keeping a hand held camera steady in the back seat of a car like this with Phil Latinski urging the driver to hurry up, yelling, "Move it George, they're gaining on you."

As they say in my trade, “I’ll fix it in post.”

Before I could think, we were driving toward the finish line at the entrance to Public Square at Main Street. As we passed Boscov's, my memory flashed an image of the day in 1972 when I made the same trip in a boat 10 feet above the street while the water from the Susquehanna broke every plate glass window in the display areas.

Then it happened. Kevin Borrelli crossed the finish line, and phase two of the day began. For the rest of the morning I recorded comments from runners about the race, volunteers about the day, and guests about their first visit to the city.

All of these will eventually make its way into a segment of Windsor Park Stories and a documentary about what one person called a first class event in a wonderful second tier town.

Responding to a question about the organization of the race, the man of the hour, Kevin Borrelli, was most complimentary: “They do a great job with this race. This year was the best.”

Young Elijah Yusuff was clutching his medal when he told me he came in last, but the race was exciting. "People are just excited because they participate," he said.

An old friend, Joe Bilbow, who was there to watch his daughter Emily run, expressed the thoughts of many: “It’s a wonderful race, a great fundraiser. The Square is filled with people. It's a sign of the revitalization of Wilkes-Barre. I love Wilkes-Barre. It’s a great place.’

Joanne Purpora from Staten Island, New York, reinforced Bilbow’s comments: “My husband ran in the race. It’s a very nice crowd, a beautiful town and it brings people together.”

Her husband agreed: “It’s a great run. People are great and very receptive here…the race was fun, challenging and the runners were in great shape.”

Cathy Stanski called it “A great day to promote family wellness.”

Lisa King called it “A great show and a great time.”

Jim Martin was invigorated. He ran with his son and daughter, and he celebrated the race for its sense of community and its contribution to the revitalization of the city:
“Stores are popping up, people are gathering and rekindling interest. It’s like a renaissance in Wilkes-Barre.” For Martin and his son, Bernie’s Run adds life to the city

Peter Kizis, chairman of the board of the YMCA, local business leader, former student and all around good guy, was elated to see so many people on the Square. “Bernie is always looking down,” he said, "enjoying the progress of the YMCA.”

For Mary Jane Hargadon, Bernie’s wife, it was a very emotional day of reunion with many old friends. “We just can’t thank the people enough,” she said. Then she asked her nephew, Steve Olear, to speak to the merits of the day and speak he did with elegance and grace.

“I live in California. It’s an annual trip. It’s a great community run. It’s a lot of fun. You’ve got everything you need here and there isn’t any traffic. My uncle inspired me to run. If he were here, he would be on top of the world. To think this is 25 years old, he would be completely overwhelmed.”

Bernie’s best friend, Davie Jones, picked up on Steve’s thought: “Bernie had an impact on everyone he met. Bernie would be happy. The race fits Bernie’s personality. It’s all positive.”

There’s no question about it, Bernie’s Memorial Run was a great success. It brought people together. It spoke to the potential of our town. It filled the streets of the city with people who enjoyed their visit, and it left a “can do” feeling with everyone who attended.

Marilyn Wood was right: “It’s a family tradition.”

Michael Kinney was right: “It’s like a big family event.”

Patti Phillips was right: “ It’s like a reunion for us every year.’

Karel Zubris was right: “It’s a healthy way to start the Independence Day. You leave here feeling good about yourself.”

Matt Di Bernardo was right: “I can’t wait to do it next year.”

Doug Larson was right: "Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible."

Thank you Bernie Hargadon for seeing beyond the impossible.

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