Iwaniec Memorial Race at Saint Vincent College to help police target drunken driving

Organizers hope to raise $100,000 to help curb drunken driving through the 15th annual Trooper Iwaniec Memorial Race, set for April 20 at Saint Vincent College.

The event, known as Takeoff 2024, will also feature children’s races, beginning at 9 a.m. on the college’s Unity campus. Participants in 5K or 10K race options or a one-mile walk, will leave the starting line at 9:15 a.m.

Registration will be from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the college’s Fred Rogers Center.

Other planned activities include an auction of gift baskets and other items, children’s games, impaired driving simulations and display of the Pennsylvania DUI Association Moving Memorial.

Police motorcycle, canine and mounted units are slated to appear. Local “America’s Got Talent” finalist Victory Brinker will sing the national anthem.

Virtual race options include a 5K or 10K walk or run. Longer virtual challenges can include any combination of walking, running, hiking, biking, swimming or paddling: 42 miles, to be completed by April 30; 542 miles or 1,042 miles, to be completed by Dec. 31.

The lengths of the virtual challenges were inspired by the hockey and football jersey numbers of the Kenton Iwaniec, a Cook Township native and Saint Vincent College graduate. The 24-year-old state trooper was killed in 2008 when his vehicle was struck head-on by an intoxicated driver in Chester County.

Money raised through the annual race benefits the Trooper Kenton Iwaniec Memorial Foundation. The organization was created by his family to purchase preliminary breath test devices law enforcement agencies use to gauge consumption of alcohol by a motorist.

Since 2009, the foundation has provided 2,632 of the devices. It has a goal of distributing 200 more this year.

Medals are awarded to the top individuals and teams that complete the race. Visit trooperiwaniec.org for more information or to register.