Sewickley native gears up for Ole 5K to benefit Mexican nonprofit TASH Inc.

From Sewickley to Mexico and back again — that’s the path that Pete Noll has taken.

Noll, a native of Sewickley and Quaker Valley High School graduate, recently took over as executive director of Mexico-based TASH Inc. after founder and Pittsburgh native Father Scott Seethaler retired.

This is Noll’s first year coordinating the organization’s annual Ole 5K fundraising race, now in its 12th year at North Park.

TASH Inc. was started by Seethaler in Oaxaca, Mexico, to support La Clinica del Pueblo, a clinic that opened in 2000. Over the years, the nonprofit was able to grow the clinic into a hospital, as well as create other programs for vulnerable communities in the area, including a music school for at-risk children. Most recently, it helped a local partner organization build a dispensary that opened earlier this month.

“We have 364 registered so far,” Noll said, acknowledging that race participation is reaching pre-covid-19 numbers. “I think people just want to get out.”

This year, the race will be held in “waves,” with 100 people at a time running the course to meet coronavirus mandates. Runners can also sign up for a virtual 5K and participate online.

Brett Schurter, 52, of Wexford has been running the race each year since 2013.

“It’s great they found a way for you to run the race live if you want to,” he said.

He also runs in the Great Race and the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, but he said he finds the Ole 5K to be the most fun.

“It’s a smaller venue, more intimate and family-oriented,” he said. “A lot of people run with their families.”

Noll spent two-and-a-half years in the Peace Corps, serving in Guatemala before he was invited to visit his sister in Oaxaca, where she was studying Spanish.

“It’s a pretty magical spot,” Noll said.

He put down roots about 20 years ago and began working with a Portland-based nonprofit there. He visits Sewickley several times a year to catch up with friends and family. He will be at the Ole 5K on Oct. 24.

He said he might run the last wave if his organizational skills aren’t needed at that time.

Seethaler, though retired, is still involved in the organization and the 5K, which attracts the Pittsburgh Hispanic community, regular runners and members of the church community. Their donations, and contributions by more than 30 sponsors, continue to allow La Clinica del Pueblo in Oaxaca to serve 2,000 low-income patients a month.

Supporting the charity is important to Schurter. He was introduced to the race through friends associated with TASH.

“I continually give throughout the year to the charity,” he said.

At the conclusion of the Ole 5K, there will be Mexican food to go, coffee, smoothies and music. Winners will receive their awards by mail.

More information

Ole 5K

When: Oct. 24; register by Oct. 23

Where: North Park, Harmar Grove Pavilion at Pie Traynor

Cost: $25; $20 for virtual race

Registration: tashinc.org/ole5k/race-info