Sisters make running family afair

DAWN DE BUSK

Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA - When there are 5Ks, or other foot races, going on in the Mat-Su and Anchorage on the same weekend, the Luch family opts to run in the Valley event, said dad Robert Luch.

He says they prefer the Mat-Su runs because there's "a bigger ado about refreshments" and a friendlier, family-oriented atmosphere post-race.

"We've built a social life around racing. We go every weekend. It's kind of expensive, but it's a better way to stay healthy than watching T.V.," he said.

His three 13-year-old daughters, 15-year-old son, and wife competed in the sixth annual Healthy Valley 5K, which took place at Pioneer Peak Elementary School off Trunk Road on Saturday. The 5K, organized by Valley Healthy Communities Program, promotes nutrition and fitness and also encourages healthy competition and unity between Palmer and Wasilla, according to VHCP Executive Director Hans Neidig. The proceeds fund safety programs educating people to wear bike helmets and use infant car seats correctly, Neidig said.

This year's event attracted 52 runners from several age-group categories. Bob Davis was the overall winner, breaking the tape in 17 minutes, 49.6 seconds, well ahead of the field.

Delia Luch's time of 19:28.8 made her the fastest female finisher. Her twin, Letitia, sprinted to the finish four seconds behind Delia. Younger sister, Marcelyn, who was born just 10 months after the twins, finished in 20:31. Brother Brent finished in 19:57 to place first in the age 15-19 group.

The Luchs, who home-school their children, work and live in Anchorage but enjoy spending time at their cabin in Sutton, following the races in the Valley.

Because the kids are home-schooled, the running circuit provides a valuable social life. The three sisters prefer participating in the Mat-Su runs for more reasons than just the picnic.

"Everyone here is more friendly. People talk to you more. And there's a smaller crowd," Delia said.

"You're not squished at the start," Letitia said.

"I got my P.R. in the Valley," Delia said, explaining that means personal record of 18:33 in a 5K.

The sisters said they all got their personal best times in Valley runs, and they agreed that the Colony Days run was the best 5K of summer.

"It was a fun course," Delia said.

Their Valley 5K highlight might be running through the streets of Palmer's quaint, mountain-setting town, but the girls will face a challenge of grand proportions when they run into the Grand Canyon this summer.

Another benefit of home-schooling: not being tied to absentee rules. The family takes their educational program on the road, allowing the girls to run with Team Alaska at the Footlocker events in Chicago - and then just for fun, through the redwood forest in California and down and up the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Contact Dawn De Busk at 352-2252, or dawn.debusk@frontiersman.com.