MANSFIELD, Pa. — The nearly 200 runners and walkers who participated in PASA’s 6th Annual Dairy Dash 5K & 1-Mile Memory Walk on Labor Day weekend collectively raised more than $10,000 to support PASA’s sustainable farming education programming through the Shon Seeley Legacy Fund. The event took place at the scenic Lambs Creek Recreation Area in Mansfield, Tioga County.
The 5K was chip timed, and awards were given to top finishers in eight age groups. The overall top female finisher was Michelle Rohl of Mansfield with a time of 21:23.67, and top overall male finisher was Rory McCleary of Dallastown with a time of 18:12.71.
Seeley, who at age 29 had already made his mark as a holistic dairy farmer, lost his life in 2012. He was actively farming with his family at Milky Way Farms in Troy, Bradford County. The Legacy Fund was created to celebrate and honor Shon’s life and work by fortifying PASA’s educational programs, which are aligned with the agrarian principles Shon held dear, such as livestock grazing and native pasture grass management.
“We were so pleased to have the support of our 19 sponsors and all the folks who came out to run and walk the course to support the Legacy Fund,” said Lauren Smith, PASA Development Director. “We are especially grateful for the support of Coach Mike Rohl and the Mansfield University Athletic Department. They do an incredible job of maintaining and preparing the course as well as staffing the event with student athletes. We couldn’t do it without them.”
Next year, the 7th Annual Dairy Dash will take place in late September, which will allow school athletic departments to participate and will include a trophy run for teams.
“These changes will open the event to more people who wish to participate, and we will be ready for them,” said Smith.
— PASA
