History of the Star Trax 5k Night Run

When a group of parents sat around a table discussing ways to raise money for Salem’s running programs in 1993, little did they know that they were creating an event that would last over 30 years and grow to become the premier summer race for all of northeast Ohio. Several parents from that group had attended a 5K night run in Mercer, Pennsylvania, the year before; and they decided that with a little luck and a lot of work, they could pull off an even better race in Salem, Ohio. That race was named the Star Trax 5K Night Run, and the inaugural event in the summer of 1994 hosted a total of 161 runners, exceeding the expectations of the Salem X-Tra Mile Club, which was formed by those parents and became the founding sponsor of the race. Other sponsors included many local businesses, organizations, and individuals, without whom this event would not have endured. The early 90’s came to be known as a very special time for running sports at Salem High School, highlighted by a Boys State Championship in Cross Country in 1993. All of the charter members of The Salem X-Tra Mile Club were parents of those runners. Not wanting to participate in one fundraising scheme after another, they elected to throw all their efforts into organizing and conducting the first Star Trax 5K Night Run. The first race followed a course very similar to the current route, beginning and ending at Reilly (now Sebo) Stadium after running through Centennial Park. It was decided to ask residents along the race course to place and light luminaries in front of their homes and those of their neighbors. This request was met with enthusiasm and excitement, got the community involved, and also provided the runners with a cheering section as they passed by. Others volunteered to place luminaries throughout the park, making the course much safer for the runners. Other volunteers stepped up to control traffic at intersections; and the Salem Police Department gave Star Trax its complete support. The early success of the race produced enough excess funds to allow the club to support both the boys and girls track and cross country teams with pizza parties, food for team activities, and other requests for financial assistance as Salem High School’s running programs grew. If you want to see a great example of small-town America and community support, head to Sebo Stadium a little before dark on the night of August 3rd, and experience the magic of a luminary-lit path along the streets of Salem, Ohio. You won’t be sorry.