Aug 1, 2002 By Jackie Beranek 4 min read

East Huntingdon Twp. – Bea Jarbeck of United will leave for Anchorage Alaska on Aug. 15 to run in her first arthritis foundation marathon. Jarbeck, 41, is director of fitness at the Regional Family YMCA of Laurel Highlands, in East Huntingdon Township. She will run in the 2002 Humpy’s Classic Marathon with members of the Arthritis Foundation Joints in Motion Training Team, Laurel Highlands Chapter.

Jarbeck is running the 26.2-mile race in memory of her mother, Laura Jarbeck, who passed away May 13 at the age of 75.

“When I agreed to make this commitment to the arthritis foundation, I was asked to name an honored patient – a person with arthritis for whom I would be running,” said Jarbeck. “I chose my mother because arthritis disabled her from doing many physical activities that she enjoyed, but it didn’t disable her spirit.”

Jarbeck said her mother suffered severely with arthritis over the last eight to 10 years of her life.

“Mom’s spirit is what motivates me to do this,” she said. “I am also motivated to help prevent others, maybe your loved ones, from suffering with this crippling disease.”

Jarbeck said the Joints in Motion Training Team are a group of volunteers from all over the country who commit to train and compete in marathon races in an effort to help find a cure for arthritis. In addition, the team helps work for patient services and community based education programs for men, women and children affected by the disease.

“At this point, I have two goals for the event,” said Jarbeck. The first is to finish the race in somewhat good shape and the second is to help find a cure for arthritis.”

Jarbeck said each marathon participant has a fund-raising goal and then elicits sponsorship and donations to help reach that goal.

“I am participating in the Joints in Motion Training Team as a member of the Laurel Highlands Chapter, in which I am also an advisory board member,” said Jarbeck. “The funds I raise will benefit individuals in this chapter.”

Jarbeck said she has set a goal of raising $5,000, however, to date she has only received about one-third of the contributions she needs.

“I have raised about $1,500 so far, but I need to raise more,” she said. “About $3,000 goes to the foundation and the rest goes towards my expenses.”

Jarbeck said the Scottdale Rotary Club gave her a nice donation and she is hoping that other service organizations in the Fay-West area will hear about the race and sponsor her in some way.

“I’m on the last leg of my campaign and I have had a lot of help from my friends, family members and business associates but there is still work to be done,’ said Jarbeck.

“Every donation, large or small, brings me one step closer to reaching my own goals, as well as those of the arthritis foundation,” she concluded.

Jarbeck has undergone a vigorous training program that has included running four days a week anywhere between six to 21 miles. She has altered her diet to accommodate the training program and said she’s about as ready as any runner can be.

“Since I’m about three weeks out from the marathon all of my long runs are done,” she said. “This week, I probably will not do anymore than 12 miles and next week I’ll probably run about 10 miles.”

Jarbeck said she would continue to run until at least two days before the marathon most likely running two to three miles. She additionally said she doesn’t foresee any problems with altitude and she has heard that the weather will be in the mid-40s in Alaska, which is perfect for her.

“It’s going to be different because I will have to start out with layers of clothing and continue to peal them off as I run. At least, we will not have to contend with the high temperatures and high humidity,” she said.

Anyone wishing to make a contribution to Jarbeck’s cause may do so by writing a check to the Arthritis Foundation and/or send a money order to her at P.O. Box 123 United, Pa. 15689. Jarbeck can be reached at 724-423-8670.

Jarbeck said she would leave for Alaska on Aug. 15 and return Aug. 21. Jarbeck has two sons, Eric, 11 and Gregory, 5.