Trenton proud to honor Olympic hero Athing Mu with parade

Athing Mu
      For years, the familiar sign on the bridge across the Delaware has read: “Trenton Makes, the World Takes.’’
      Maybe now they should change that slogan to “Trenton Makes, and Takes the World.’’
      Espcially since favorite daughter/Olympic hero Athing Mu won not one, but two gold medals at the recently completed Tokyo Games.
      The 19-year-old became the first U.S. runner to take first in the 800 meters since Madeline Manning-Mims at Mexico City in 1968. Mu’s time of 1:56.07 was the second-fastest in American history.
      Mu topped off her impressive Olympic performance by anchoring USA’s 4 x 400 relay team to another first-place finish.
      You could look at it this way: The United States finished with 39 gold medals, China with 38. The Trenton wonder woman simply made the difference.
      On Sunday, the city of Trenton will proudly honor Mu with a parade through New Jersey’s capital and my guess is there will be more than a few Bucks County residents on hand to join in the celebration.
      The parade begins at Mu’s alma mater, Trenton Central High School (2 p.m.) and finishes at City Hall.
      As one NBC announcer put it: This was America’s first gold medal for 800 meters in the modern era but it most likely won’t be the last.
      Getting back to the wording on the Trenton bridge – it will be lit in red, white and blue colors. Only fitting for a true American star.
      >Meanwhile, on another bridge. . .
      After a year or more of delays, it looks like the pedestrian-bike pathway adjoining the new Scudder Falls Bridge is about to open.
      According to the project’s website, the path is scheduled to open in “early fall,’’ which could mean as early as a month.
      But just late Monday, crews could be seen taking down barricades on the Pennsylvania side, while the New Jersey “ramp’’ appeared to be in the final stages of construction.
      Recently the second span of the vehicular portion of the bridge was open to traffic. That meant some of the workforce could direct its attention to the pathway, which was delayed by the pandemic and the inability to secure construction materials, work hours, etc.
      When the pathway does open, it promises to be not only functional for crossing the river but allow for some great sightseeing of the mighty Delaware.
      >Big local race returning
      After having to postpone its annual Thanksgiving Day 5-Miler last year due to the pandemic, the Bucks County Roadrunners are pleased to announce the event will be returning this year.
      The 31st running of the event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 25.
      Thanksgiving is still pretty far off but we mention this now  because if you register before Aug. 31, you can get on board for the very reasonable price of $30. There’s also a one-mile run ($17.50).
      To register, visit www.runsignup.com.
      Race calendar
      Saturday, Sept. 11
      9/11 Heroes Run 5K, 9 a.m., Feasterville. Contact www.9/11heroesrunfeastervillepa.itsyourrace.com
      52nd annual Mill Street Run, 8 a.m., Bristol. Contact www.runsignup.com
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About Wayne Fish 2622 Articles
Wayne Fish has been covering the Flyers since 1976, a stint which includes 18 Stanley Cup Finals, four Winter Olympics and numerous other international events.

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