Inaugural NK 5K FitFEST in New Kensington brings fitness groups to the city
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A 5K race in New Kensington that grew into a fitness and wellness bonanza became more than what was hoped for, according to organizer Cullen Maag.
The inaugural NK 5K FitFEST drew a few hundred people to the Westmoreland County city Sunday.
“Pretty good crowd for a first-time formula,” said Maag, owner of BodyWork412 on Fifth Avenue. “There’s really nothing else like this kind of festival. I just wanted to bring some of the activities that I do in my life out to the community and have them participate.
“I know not everyone has access to gym memberships or transportation to get to gyms and stuff.”
Festivities began with a 5K race around 9 a.m. Other activities included yoga outside Voodoo Brewery, a jiu-jitsu exhibition and a “sound bath” at AngelWing, which it involves lying down while gongs, singing bowls, drums and cymbals are played.
Czar Parrish, 22, of Martinsburg, W.Va., was among the victorious jiu-jitsu participants. He represented Ground Zero of Bridgeport, W.Va.
“I just love to get out here and compete,” Parrish said. “You either learn a lot or you go out and have fun, sometimes both. The key to victory was staying in control (and) trying not to give up any position. … Any time I can get out to anything that has to do with fitness I love being there. I really like people who do jiu-jitsu and marital arts. Everyone I’ve met has been real respectful and cool for the most part.”
Bryant Ludwiczak, 27, of New Kensington was also involved in the exhibition with other members of The Mat Factory. He said he loved having such an event in his hometown.
“It’s really cool,” he said. “Ten years ago, no one would have ever thought anything like this would be going down in New Kensington. It’s cool to see positive stuff going on down here and having positive people down here doing good things.”
Members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard hosted a Hummer pull. Participants had to do a set of push-ups, carry a medicine ball and then attempt to pull a more than 6,000-pound military vehicle about 150 feet.
The 5K had about 160 total participants. There were divisions for walking, running and rucking.
Rucking is walking or hiking while carrying a weight on the back. It has military origins, and the name comes from “rucksack,” a backpack meant for carrying heavy loads.
Cecil resident James Stiffey, member of Steel City Ruck Club, said he had about a dozen team members participate and loved all the events.
“The course was great,” Stiffey said. “The jiu-jitsu tournament’s fantastic. The National Guard Humvee pull was really cool. It’s nice to see these kind of festivals pop up. I know they do a lot of stuff in Downtown Pittsburgh. It’s nice to see outside of the city getting interested (in these fitness festivals).
He commended Maag, also a ruck club member, for putting it all together.
“When Cullen said that they were putting this on we’re like, ‘Yeah. We’re going to come up here and support you,’” Stiffey said. “It’s great to see how many people they have out here for this. It’s been really nice. Weather’s perfect.”
Maag said he hopes to make FitFEST and annual tradition.
“I’d love to. Next year, we’ll definitely do it again,” he said. “I like the combination of four different activities, and we’re going to build it up into more of a festival village. I tried to make sure that the beginner and the strongman could all be at the same place together and learn from each other or inspire someone.”