KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Youngstown Peace Race

Runners from across the Valley and beyond will be making their way to Youngstown this Sunday, October 8 for the 49th Annual Youngstown Peace Race.

The Peace Race was originally started in 1975 with the goal of bringing athletes from around the world together for a day of competition, friendship and understanding.

At the time, the U.S. was still shaken by the effects of the war in Vietnam, but one Youngstown runner and activist, Jack Cessna had the idea of uniting people peacefully through running, which culminated into the Youngstown Peace Race, an event that's remained a staple in the Valley for four decades.

The 49th Annual Youngstown Peace Race will take place the morning of Sunday, October 8. A shuttle service will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the downtown Youngstown YMCA to transport 10k runners to the starting line. The last bus leaves at 9:00 a.m. 

The 10k run itself starts at 10:00 a.m. at Kirkmere School located at the corner of Schenley Avenue and Kirk Road and finishes in Federal Plaza in downtown Youngstown. The run will follow a fast point-to-point course through Mill Creek Park.

The cost to participate if $40 in advance and $45 on the day of the race.

Additionally, there is also the 2 Mile Move Our Mission Walk/Run starting at 9:30 a.m. The course starts and ends at Federal Plaza in downtown Youngstown. The cost of registration is $25.

There's also the 200 Meter Kids Fun Run at 9:00 a.m. Like the two-mile run/walk this course starts and ends at Federal Plaza. Registration for the kids run is absolutely free.

Maps of the courses are pictured below.

10K Course Map  

2 Mile Course Map  

There will also be awards for those who compete in the 10K and two-mile courses. And cash prizes for those in the 10K specifically. These awards and prizes are as follows:

10K COURSE (all awards American only):

- Top 3 Overall Men & Top 3 Overall Women ($500 for first, $300 for second, $100 for third)
- Top 2 Masters (age 40-49), Both Men and Women ($100 for first, $50 for second)

- Top 2 Grand Master (age 50-59), Both Men and Women ($100 for first, $50 for second)

- Top Senior Master (age 60 & Up), Both Men and Women ($100)

TWO-MILE COURSE:

- Top 3 Overall Men & Top 3 Overall Women
- Top 3 Male and Female in the following age groups: 10 & Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Up

Racers can pick up their packets Friday and Saturday between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Second Sole in Boardman (755 Boardman-Canfield Road) or pick them up Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the downtown Youngstown YMCA.

For drivers not participating in the peace race, there will be multiple road closures in Mill Creek Park for the event. The following roads will be closed between 7:00 a.m. and noon Sunday.

- High Drive
- Chestnut Hill Drive
- East Park Drive
- Valley Drive
- West Cohasset Drive
- Bears Den Drive
- West Drive
- West Glacier Drive