Run for the Cookies: A Sweet Treat

BY MARK WILL-WEBER

Although the century-year-old "Run for the Diamonds" is understandably the race that puts Berwick on the map in the running world, the Cookie Monster (among others) would be quick to laud the town's "other" running event.

It would be "Run for the Cookies" of course! Like its more famous "sister" race, Run for the Cookies (a 10K) offers a challenging course (mostly gradual, rolling "ups" from Mile One to the 5K turn-around) with a definite "negative split" aspect to it. And, with a February start date, Run for the Cookies also takes a leap of faith in terms of weather--as 2008 entrants will attest to when they slogged through slush and snow.
The 2009 race, however, went off with clear roads, sunny-but-cold skies, and just the hint of a headwind on the way out.

Marywood University cross-country coach Kevin Borrelli (2008 Steamtown Marathon champion) steamed out-and-back in a mostly solo run, clocking 32 minutes, 25 seconds for the overall win. On the women's side, Penn State runner Samantha Snead checked in first at the finish line in 39:56. Behind Borrelli, Chris Wasnetsky (33:43) and Mark Cordeiro (34:42) rounded out the top three, with Martin Seybold (37:16) charging in as first Masters.

Autumn Swan sailed home second (41:28) and Ellen Buskovitz third (42:53) in the women's race, while Darlene Sabo (46:33) was the first female Masters finisher.

The reasonable weather conditions drew more the 240 starters to Berwick, with place winners in the various age brackets snagging a bag of cookies--large, delicious, and fruit-filled. Although the prizes are not quite the same value of Berwick's much-coveted diamonds, they were sweet nonetheless.

Borelli, Snead Take Home the Cookies

BY BILL BULL

BERWICK, PA--It had been a long and cold winter with very few breaks in the weather. Race day happened to be one of those breaks. Bright sun and fairly calm wind greeted the record field of 243 finishers at the Run for the Cookies 10K held February 8.

The Cookie Run has become an annual end to the winter trek for many runners. Many familiar faces and quite a few newcomers ran this year. The course is out and back with a good series of uphills between the two- and three-mile markers.

Plenty of hot soup, hot dogs, and filled cookies awaited the runners when they returned to the Elks Lodge.

Kevin Borrelli returned first in 32:25. He broke away from Chris Wasnetsky after the one-mile mark and gradually increased his lead over the remainder of the course. Wasnetsky finished in a strong second place, 33:43.

Samantha Snead was first woman, in 39:56, leading wire to wire. Autumn Swan finished second in 41:28.

The Berwick Marathon Association would like to thank the many runners who donated a crock pot of soup and also the many volunteers that make this race great.

See you on Thanksgiving Day for the 100th Run For The Diamonds.

MALE

Overall

1. Kevin Borrelli 32:25
2. Chris Wasnetsky 33:43
3. Mark Cordeiro 34:42

12 and Under

1. Peter Foradova 48:46
2. Zachary Briggs 60:00

13-15

1. Jess Adams 40:21
2. Stephen Senick 46:07

16-18

1. Shane Holcomb 37:50
2. Logan Hatton 40:23

19-21

1. Jason Bohenek 35:08
2. Matt Mazur 38:34

22-24

1. Jason Hoover 34:57
2. Frank Spear 38:28

25-27

1. Thomas Nallon 37:07
2. John Locke .38:09

28-30

1.tTimothy Felegie 35:21
2. Dan Nenstiel 45:18

31-33

1. John Guth 45:13
2. Matt McLaughlin 47:25

34-36

1. Jared Godlewski 42:44
2. Gregory Mullins 43:24

37-39

1. John Evangelista 36:56
2. Charles Moscariello 40:24

40-42

1. Dan Kirk 37:38
2. Doug Lynn 41:27

43-45

1. Martin Seybold 37:16
2. Frank Maffei 49:55

46- 48

1.sJohn Hilson 42:27
2. Mike Brandtmeier 42:32

49-51

1. Gary Weede 40:34
2. Tony Korch 40:52

52-54

1. Mark Will-Weber 39:29
2. Dave Mitchell 39:52

55-57

1. Bob Welby 41:31
2. Tom Ducatte 42:55

58-60

1. Mike Egan 45:00
2. Ron Rawls 53:04

61-65

1. Rich Chase 44:48
2. Max Furek 45:32

66-69

1. Joe Naughton 57:47
2. Bill Coolbaugh 60:40

70-74

1. Tony Cerminaro 44:36
2. Jack Whitcomb……………………………..50:40

75 and Over

1. Rich Hause .55:48
2. Ed Livsey 72:51

FEMALE

Overall

1. Samantha Snead 39:56
2. Autumn Swan 41:28
3. Ellen Buskovitz 42:53

13-15

1. Alexandra Petsuck 44:18
2. Abby Bull 47:16

16-18

1. Alex Bull 43:59
2. Brianna Kramer .48:47

19-21

1. Lauren Schlegel 66:15
2. Stephanie Kishbaugh 82:21

22-24

1.Megan Nonnemacher 45:43
2. Katie Graff 47:43

25-27

1. Alyssa Gaebel 45:47
2. Corinne Everett 54:40

28-30

1. Beishline 48:09
2. Kristy Beagle 50:45

31-33

1. Jenn Stec-Gagliardi 45:31
2. Cheryl Kennedy 50:02

34-36

1. Kerry Potter 45:27
2. Renee Popalis 45:30

37-39

1. Shani Steward 43:12
2. Chrissy Findlay 48:17

40-42

1. Darlene Sabo 46:33
2. Brenda Bisset 47:59

43-45

1. Irene Cobb 47:56
2. Debbie Sandrock 65:25

46-48

1. Shelley Heasley 47:19
2. Betty Uzupis 60:18

49-51

1. Nancy Harmon 55:25
2. Marjorie Adams 56:28

52-55

1. Kathy Markley 49:44
2. Janie Edwards 52:04

56-59

1. Bev Tomasak 53:22
2. Kathy Koberlein 55:55

60 and Over

1. Nancy desGarennes 78:03