The 49th annual Old First Night Run/Walk kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday, beginning and finishing at Chautauqua Sports Club. The 2.75-mile event had 290 competitors last year, taking participants on a scenic journey through Chautauqua.
This year, a speed-walking division was added to the race, awarding the quickest walker to cross the finish line.
The traditional walking division is won by the athlete who finishes the race closest to the time they submitted before the race.
Sports Club Director Deb Lyons added it after a suggestion from the community.
“Last year, we had four gals that liked to walk together. They suggested a speed-walking category,” said Lyons. “We try to meet the needs of the people participating.”
Lyons introduced youth runs last year. These included the diaper dash, toddler trot, 100-yard dash and kids’ one mile race.
This year, a special guest, who had participated in every race since it began up until a few years ago, will begin the race.
“Centenarian Bud Horne is going to be on hand to help start the race,” said Lyons.
The race has been an important part of Chautauqua Institution since it began, with many families taking part. The Rappole family has been participating in the race for at least 30 years, though Jesse “Squintz” Rappole, 43, believes his dad has been running the race for over 40 years.
Jesse Rappole noted it as one of the most fun he has had racing, especially when he was younger.
“Spending my summers going to Club at Chautauqua, it was always really exciting to run a race around the grounds and compete against all my friends from summer,” Rappole said. “It’s an exciting opportunity to do something I’m good at with people I like.”
Rappole is a multi-time winner of the run (taking first in his category in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008) and is recently coming off a top-500 placement at the Boston Marathon, although he said “it’s been a long since I got to cross that line first in Chautauqua.”
Last year, he placed fourth overall with a time of 15:37.
Although his dominant run of expected first place finishes may be over, he has yet to fall outside of the top ten.
Rappole credited his continued dominance to a renowned Youth Activities Center meal.
“The YAC Western Burger, the key to my success,” Rappole said. “… I’m still running on Western Burgers.”
All six of his immediate family members run the race annually with their respective spouses.
For the first time last year, Rappole’s daughter competed in the 1-mile run, in the early stages of continuing her family’s dominance.
Last year the race was won by 17-year-old Jack Bertram with a time of 13:53 — in between routes delivering The Chautauquan Daily. He won, finishing over a minute ahead of second place. The winner of the women’s division was Tessa Whittaker, 21, with a time of 18:58.
