Historic Joanna Furnace is known for its historical programs such as the annual Hay Creek Fall Festival. Now, for the first time, Joanna Furnace will be the site of a running and walking event, which will benefit the Alzheimer's Association.

The Paint the Town Purple 5K and 1K fun run, hosted by Morgantown resident Lynn Cronomiz, race co-director, will take place on Saturday, June 17. The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by the fun run at 10:10 a.m.

Cronomiz is committed to fighting Alzheimer's disease in honor of her mother, Carol, who passed away from the illness in 2017. Last year, Cronomiz hosted a fundraising square dance at the Morgantown Holiday Inn. Cronomiz chose a square dance because both of her parents enjoyed the activity.

"We did the square dance last year, so this is something new we are trying. I always liked this location. I go to the Fall Festival. I thought it would be a neat place to have a run," said Cronomiz, noting that she received permission to host the event from Mark Zerr, executive director of the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association, the nonprofit organization that maintains and preserves the historic site. "Mark is a runner himself, so he was on board with it."

She said that 5K participants will run on various terrain and that most of the cross-country course is shaded. Those who take part in the fun run will follow a shorter course within the Joanna Furnace property.

"First (the runners) will start on gravel and run out of Joanna Furnace onto Furnace Road," Cronomiz explained. "They will turn around near Weaver Road and come back to the furnace again."

The runners will then follow a path through the woods, which goes behind the furnace. "They will come out at the far end of Joanna Furnace and back onto gravel," Cronomiz added.

Both the square dance and the upcoming running/walking event are part of the Longest Day initiative. Each year on the summer solstice, the day with the most light, thousands of advocates across the world participate in the Longest Day to "fight the darkness of Alzheimer's" through an activity of their choice. The Longest Day coincides with Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month in June.

The race co-director is Cronomiz's friend Pam Haas, who lost her husband to the disease. Cronomiz, who attended elementary and high schools with Haas, reconnected with Cronomiz through an Alzheimer's Association support group.

Spectators are welcome to attend the upcoming event. A donation will be received for parking. "I would love it if the community would come out and watch (the race)," said Cronomiz, noting that her goal is to attract 200 participants. "It is a unique location for a run."

Local businesses that are sponsoring the event will have tables set up that morning and distribute information about their products and services. Most have also donated prizes to the participants.

To register, visit http://www.pretzelcitysports.com and search for "2023 Morgantown Paint the Town Purple 5K." More information about the event is also available on Facebook by searching for "Paint the Town Purple in Morgantown."