A lot of heart in Toronto race

ON THE MOVE — Nearly 300 runners and walkers made their way along North Third Street and other Toronto streets while participating in the Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run-Walk Saturday. The annual event raises funds for the Ohio Valley American Heart Association and United Way of Jefferson County. — Warren Scott

TORONTO — In various ways, participants in the Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run-Walk put a lot of heart into the annual race, which was appropriate since it raised funds for Ohio Valley American Heart Association and United Way of Jefferson County.

Lexi Biasi, who coordinates the race with her father, Mike, said nearly 300 runners and walkers took part and while she and others were still calculating its earnings, she knew it had raised more than $21,000 for the two causes.

Held on Saturday, the event helps to launch the Gem City’s Independence Day observance, in which its fireworks display is presented each year on a Saturday night close to the official holiday.

Noting Friday evening and early Saturday morning brought rain showers to the area, Lexi said she was grateful for the sunshine that greeted runners and walkers as they arrived at North Third Street near Toronto Red Knight Stadium.

She suggested that perhaps the good weather could be attributed to heavenly requests by Gino Biasi and Mike Shuma, for whom the race is named.

ON THE MOVE — Nearly 300 runners and walkers made their way along North Third Street and other Toronto streets while participating in the Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run-Walk Saturday. The annual event raises funds for the Ohio Valley American Heart Association and United Way of Jefferson County. — Warren Scott

Gino Biasi, who died in 2016 at the age of 85, was owner of Valley Converting, a local paper recycling company now run by Mike. An Army Korean War veteran, he obtained a college education on the G.I. Bill and later was named the Toronto Chamber of Commerce’s Co-Businessman of the Year and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s Industrialist of the Year.

Local radio listeners may remember hearing Mike Shuma’s commentary on local high school football during the Ohio Valley Game Night program.

An employee of TIMET Metals Corp., he also worked for a time at the front desk of the Weirton Millsop Community Center and was a member of the Toronto Rod and Gun Club.

He died at the age of 42 following a heart attack.

The families of the two men are among the run’s many supporters.

Lexi also expressed thanks to all participants and supporters, including the Toronto Police Department, which provided an escort to the racers and traffic control; TEMS Joint Ambulance District, which was on hand to provide emergency aid if needed; and the Tri-County Emergency Radio Association, a group of amateur radio operators positioned along the course and prepared to radio for help.

Among the race’s many participants were John and Kim Niedengard of Wintersville, who said it’s among several races they have participated in.

“We start out with the Wellness Weekend in Wheeling and we hit a few around the valley. We were in the Freedom 5K in Chester, which drew hundreds of people,” said John.

Kim said, “This race is well organized. They do a nice job.”

It was the first year for Dawn Tarquinio of Steubenville to participate in the Biasi-Shuma 5K though she has participated in many others. She said the race’s mostly level course provided an incentive to pick up her pace.

Tarquinio was accompanied by her husband, Sean Corfield, who proved to be a hero to her during a recent run.

She explained she was running in a half-marathon in Cincinnati when her running partner passed out. Watching from the sidelines, Sean quickly switched to running garb and joined her to offer moral support.

She said since he had entered after the race began, he received no medal but he got her personal award for best husband.

With a large military backpack on his back and a full-length U.S, flag extending from it, Miguel Encinas of Bridgeport stood out among the participants.

A 22-year Army veteran, Encinas explained the names written on the flag’s stripes belonged to fellow members of the military who were killed in the line of duty, including some he knew while serving in Afghanistan.

He said besides the flag, the bag contains 40 to 45 pounds of materials, including frozen water bottles and a first aid kit “in case anyone needs help” during the race. He noted its weight pales in comparison to the 70 to 95 pounds it normally would hold for soldiers carrying full gear.

Encinas said he has worn the pack in various races “but not to draw attention to myself.”

He said his intention is to remind everyone of the servicemen and women who have sacrificed themselves “and all of the pain and suffering their loved ones experienced.”