Submitted photo / YSU To celebrate turning 65, Gary Sexton, director of WYSU-FM 88.5, will run 65 miles on Monday on the Greater Allegheny Passage — a biking, hiking and running path through Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, as a part of the radio station’s Support WYSU Month.

YOUNGSTOWN — There are many ways to celebrate turning 65 — a nice cruise, a celebration with family and friends or even just a nice quiet day at home.

How about taking a run — a 65-mile run?

That’s what Gary Sexton, director of WYSU-FM 88.5, is going to do on Monday, all as a part of the radio station’s Support WYSU Month.

Sexton, a ultra-marathoner for many years, will run 65 miles on the Greater Allegheny Passage — a biking, hiking and running path through Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.

Supporters can sponsor the run by donating a dollar per mile — or more. Donors can give at https://wysu.org/content/featured/sponsor-gary-sextons-65-mile-fund-run or they may contribute at wysu.org.

It’s not the first time Sexton has used his running prowess to bring money to the station. His first 50-mile race in 2005 raised $38,000 for WYSU.

Sexton has worked at WYSU-FM since 1990 and has been director since 2000. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and a master’s in music from Youngstown State University.

October is “Support 88.5 WYSU Month,” and the station is hoping to hear from 1,000 donors. The month-long online initiative is in lieu of the station’s traditional fall membership drive, which will not be held to keep volunteers, students and staff safe in the pandemic. Even though Sexton’s run is happening Monday — rain or shine — sponsorships of the Fund Run will be accepted through the end of October, organizers said.

Broadcasting since 1969, WYSU-FM is the public radio service of Youngstown State University, and is a charter NPR affiliate station.