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Jesse Martin 5K Ropes Growing Number of Participants
GETTYSBURG, PA--The third annual Jesse Martin Memorial 5K Run and Bench Press competition took place on November 20, 1999 at the Gettysburg Area Senior High School. Organized by the Gettysburg Elementary Wrestling Booster Club, the event is held in memory of Jesse Martin. Jesse was a 1996 Gettysburg High School graduate and wrestling team captain who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on July 19, 1997. At the time of his death, Jesse was the top ranked bull rider in the American Professional Rodeo Association. A scholarship fund, which assists Gettysburg wrestlers in attending wrestling camps, has been established in Jesse's name. Proceeds from the run are used to support this fund, which, to date, has helped 37 wrestlers attend summer wrestling camps. The Jesse Martin Memorial Run has more to offer than just a 5K. In addition to the 5K run, the organizers have incorporated a bench-and-run division. Participants in the bench and run, bench their body weight (females 60% of their body weight) for a maximum number of repetitions. For every repetition one is able to do, a 30 second time reduction is applied to their 5K time. The bench and run has different age groups as well as male and female divisions. Bench and runs are seeing a growing popularity on the East Coast, as evidenced by the growing number of participants in this event. In addition, the entire Gettysburg High School and Middle School wrestling teams joined in the action. The wrestlers participate in the bench and run and then compete in their own division. The 5K run, designated as the 1999 RRCA Pennsylvania 5K Cross-Country Championship, is truly cross-country style, following the perimeter of the grassy athletic fields. From a spectator's perspective, it is a great race to watch because of the ability to see nearly the entire race from one spot. Over 275 individuals participated in the 1999 event. First place overall in the 5K run was Kevin Geesaman of Waynesboro, PA with a time of 15:34. The women's division was won by Megan Elliott, of Shippensburg, PA in a time of 19:28. Mike Flaherty of Hanover, PA (17:11) and Penny Gray of Carlisle, PA (21:56) were the overall male and female Masters division winners, respectively.
A very special participant in the 5K run this year was Lisa Showers of Biglerville, PA. Lisa was recognized before the start of the race for having lost over 150 pounds (more than half her body weight) in the last year. Lisa successfully completed the run, thus accomplishing a goal which she had set for herself in June of 1999. Just like the late Jesse Martin, Lisa serves as an inspiration to not only runners, but anyone who sets a goal for themselves and then accomplishes that goal. The major sponsor of the Jesse Martin Memorial Run was the Gettysburg Center for Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. Secondary sponsors included: Barrett Chiropractic, Gettysburg Optimists, Gettysburg Lions, Land O Lakes Butter, Tommy's Pizza, and Simpson's Getty Mart. Don't miss this unique event. Mark your calendars for next year's Jesse Martin 5K Run and Bench and Run, set for November 18, 2000.
Overall 1. Kevin Geesaman, Waynesboro 15:34 Masters 1. Mike Flaherty, Hanover 17:11 14 and Under 1. Stephen Lobianco, Dover 17:59 15-19 1. Patrick Bringardner, Gettysburg 16:12 20-29 1. Michael Conley, York 18:45 30-39 1. Tim Schuler, Chambersburg 15:45 40-49 1. Jack Harbaugh, Gettysburg 17:21 50-59 1. Mike Hilemam, York 19:11 60 and Over 1. Leon Bierbower, Chambersburg 20:40 Middle School Wrestling Team 1. Zach Eckert 19:40 Bench Press and Run (Time is computed by taking the number of times they benched their weight, and subtracting 30 seconds for each rep from their 5K time.) Overall 1. Marty Fees, Gettysburg (32) 3:38 24 and Under 1. David Maus, Hanover (13) 13:09 25-39 1. Adam Wasserman, Gettysburg (29) 6:31 40 and Over 1. Mark Resciniti, Gettysburg (28) 7:00 High School Wrestling Team 1. Travis Martin (25) 6:52 FEMALE Overall 1. Megan Elliott, Shippensburg, PA 19:28 Masters 1. Penny Gray, Carlisle 21:56 14 and Under 1. Julie Yingling, Gettysburg 25:42 15-19 1. Joanna Roth, Gettysburg 21:46 20-29 1. Cathy Heistand, York 22:01 30-39 1. Cyndie Winkelman, Gettysburg 19:56 40-49 1. Debby Burd, Biglerville 24:07 50-59 1. Patti Palmer, Charlestown, WV 31:50 60 and Over 1. Kum Ye Tarapchak, Grantville 27:56 Bench Press and Run (Time is computed by taking the number of times they benched 60% of their weight, and subtracting 30 seconds for each rep from their 5K time.) Overall 1. Karen "Pete" Bender, Gettysburg (28) 7:32 24 and Under 1. Christina Reed, Shippensburg (16) 14:35 25-39 1. Mary Joe Heckman, Harrisonburg (28) 9:00 40 and Over 1. Martha Lobianco, Dover (22) 11:22
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