Run For the Cookies…Both Satisfying and Delicious

BY DINO OBERTO

BERWICK, PA--The 2006 edition of the Run For The Cookies, held each year on the last Saturday in February (25th), was once again an unqualified success.

Give credit to Margaret Livsey, Bill Bull, and the entire Berwick Marathon Association for the well-done job on the entire event.

It should come as no surprise either as when you have the same folks who are responsible for the legendary Run For The Diamonds, there’s no question to the smooth operation in the conducting of what has also become an annual near winter’s-end event.

For many runners that hail from throughout Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, Run For The Cookies marks the official start of the new racing season and it’s a great way indeed to get you in gear for the upcoming calendar of events that follow on a near weekly basis the remainder of the year.

In a way, the “Cookies” race is like a mini “Diamonds,” too. The 10K run offers many similarities to that of the Thanksgiving Day 9-miler. It has a fast, flat start, then some gradual ascents and a demanding uphill, although not quite that of Summer Hill, but still enough to test your skills. Upon your return home you must face a mind-challenging set of downhills and then the final sprint along the long, flat straight.

Indeed, all 6.2 miles is every bit as arduous as it is enjoyable. Of course the real reward comes in the form of a delicious cookie. After all that’s what this race is all about.

There was a solid field of 221 runners on hand and it was safe to say that this was somewhat of an All-Star event for the mostly local racers that came out in support of this run.

A look down the finishing order will easily confirm that, as some of the best from throughout the immediate area made the call to the starter’s gun.

Taking top honors for the men with an impressive 33:06 was Chris Wadas. Wadas was out front from the get-go as from start to finish he had the field well covered. By the time he crossed the finish line he was over two-minutes ahead of runner-up Kip Hoffman who timed in at 35:10.

Paul Leonard, 35:42, Tom Nallon, 37:23, and Dan Kirk, 37:40, rounded out the top five.

On the women’s side it was the sensational Heidi Wolfsberger who continued her winning ways in the town of Berwick with a first place winning time of 36:42 which also listed her a solid fourth overall.

The Moosic, PA native, Wolfsberger, raced this past Thanksgiving and came away with the same results.

Lori Kingsley at 39:41, Ann Sick, 42:20, Amy Sarnes, 43:32, and Renee Popalis with her 43:45 completed the top-five women.

All the top award recipients received special bags of raisin and cherry cookies, while every finisher too, enjoyed a postrace treat of the same followed by a variety of soups.

A Note From Race Director
Margaret Livsey:

About all we can say after the great article by Dino Oberto is thanks to Dino and all who helped in any way--the Berwick Auxiliary Police and all who donated soup for the postrace party. Without the help of the volunteers this race would not be possible.

1. Chris Wadas 33:06
2. Kip Hoffman 35:10
3. Paul Leonard 35:42
4. Heidi Wolfsberger 36:42
5. Thomas Nallon 37:23
6. Dan Kirk 37:40
7. John Evangelista 38:18
8. John Loche 38:57
9. Pat Leonard 39:06
10. Michael Hudyncia 39:12
11. Jer Darowish 39:26
12. Dave Mitchell 39:39
13. Lori Kingsley 39:41
14. Matthew Wynn 39:42
15. Scott Sick 40:20
16. James Drogalis 40:26
17. Stephen Bonsall 40:35
18. Kenny Roman 40:39
19. Jeffrey Davis 40:44
20. Greg Bassham 40:51
21. Frank Rainey 41:04
22. Chris Blockus 41:18
23. Chris Roman 41:21
24. John Guth 41:27
25. William Fisk 41:41
26. Stephen Wilcox 41:43
27. Mike Drogalis 41:47
28. David Robbins 41:48
29. Sean Robbins 41:53
30. Stan Share 41:54
31. Mike Brandtmeier 41:55
32. Dan Lewis 42:05
33. Bob Welby 42:15
34. Ann Sick 42:20
35. Donald Murray 42:27

MALE

Overall

1. Chris Wadas 33:06
2. Kip Hoffman 35:10
3. Paul Leonard 35:42

12 & Under

1. Andrew Hess 45:31
2. Andrew Sinegra 45:38

13-15

1. Mike Drogalis 41:47
2. Dylan Dietz 45:42

16-18

1. Matt Wynn 39:42
2. James Drogalis 40:26

19-21

1. Chris Roman 41:21
2. Ryan Yasenchak 50:00

22-24

1. Tom Nallon 37:23
2. John Loche 38:57

25-27

1. Pat Leonard 39:06
2. Adam Malak 44:17

28-30

1. John Guth 41:27
2. Aaron Fincke 44:17

31-33

1. Jer Darowish 39:26
2. Chris Blockus 41:18

34-36

1. John Evangelista 38:18
2. Sean Robbins 41:53

37-39

1. Dan Kirk 37:40
2. Jeff Davis 40:44

40-42

1. Stephen Wilcox 41:43
2. Helmut Doll 43:08

43-45

1. Mike Brandtmeier 41:55
2. Pat Murphy 44:10

46-48

1. Michael Hudynecia 39:17
2. Scott Sick 40:20

49-51

1. Dave Mitchell 39:39
2. Dave Robbins 41:48

52-54

1. Stan Share 41:54
2. Bob Welby 42:15

55-57

1. Harold Titman 42:31
2. John Riley 45:11

58-60

1. Rich Chase 43:31
2. Steve Mardyniak 44:24

61-65

1. Brian Sherwood 55:12
2. Tom Berezich 66:56

66-69

1. Jack Whitcomb 47:17
2. Michael Fay 52:44

70-74

1. Rich Hause 47:00
2. Jim Marsh 60:12

75 & Over

1. Ed Livsey 69:21

FEMALE

Overall

1. Heidi Wolfsberger 36:42
2. Lori Kingsley 39:41
3. Ann Sick 42:20

13-15

1. Alexandra Bull 49:46

16-18

1. Gabrielle Deitos 46:28
2. Caitlyn Gabriel 49:26

19-21

1. Miranda Hildebrandt 47:23
2. Robin Ireland 48:24

22-24

1. Colleen Mangan 54:43
2. Amanda Ireland 61:25

25-27

1. Stacey Lipton 52:38
2. Renee Careyva 60:05

28-30

1. Amy Sarnes 43:32
2. Jenn Stec-Gagliardi 47:34

31-33

1. Renee Popalis 43:45
2. Karen Avery 51:44

34-36

1. Alaina Dietz 44:54
2. Buffy Basile 46:01

37-39

1. Wendy Blass 44:15
2. Darlene Sabo 46:45

40-42

1. Richelle Fessler 49:43
2. Stacie Palermo 51:38

43-45

1. Pat Merrifield 49:24
2. Mary Majikes 52:57

46-48

1. Annette Carylon 49:35
2. Nancy Harmon 58:22

49-51

1. Patty Phillips 51:04
2. Jaine Edwards 57:10

52-55

1. Nancy Werthmuller 49:43
2. Bev Tomasak 50:13

56-59

1. Norma Loudenslager 63:09

60 & Over

1. Nancy desGarennes 70:57