Steve Snider 5K attracts 400-plus, benefits Greensburg Salem scholarship, youth recreation

More than 400 runners and walkers turned out in Greensburg on Memorial Day to participate in the inaugural Steve Snider “It’s a Beautiful Day” 5K race.

Presented by the Greensburg YMCA, the race was held in remembrance of the late Snider, a longtime Greensburg Salem High School track and cross country coach.

The race course took participants from Greensburg’s Urania Avenue along public streets to a midpoint in South Greensburg. Those who chose to walk returned to the finish line at Greensburg’s Offutt Field by following a section of the local Five Star Trail.

The event’s name was inspired by an optimistic phrase often voiced by Snider. The name was prophetic, with favorable weather conditions greeting the runners.

The top three overall finishers among male and female participants were:

Male winners

• First place — Nicholas Wolk, 25, of Canonsburg, finishing with a time of 14:58;

• Second — Quintin Gatons, 20, of Greensburg, 15:48.3;

• Third — Mason Jobe, 21, of Greensburg, 16:26.4.

Female winners

• First — Leah Anne Weaver, 22, of Fredonia, 17:24;

• Second — Mikayla Schneider, 25, of Wayne, 19:07.9;

• Third — Hadara Katarski, 43, of Greensburg, 19:37.3.

They earned cash prizes of $499 for first place, $250 for second and $100 for third.

According to organizers, proceeds from the race will support a scholarship fund in Snider’s memory at Greensburg Salem, youth activities at the YMCA and revitalization of Greensburg playgrounds.

Snider also taught health and physical education in the Greensburg Salem School District for 36 years. His coaching record at the district included 548 wins and two WPIAL titles in the cross country program. His track teams achieved 248 wins and four county championships.

Snider died on Feb. 28, 2022, at 72, after a long battle with heart complications.