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Run for Peace is Back and Better Than Ever BY BILL LONGENECKER ELIZABETHTOWN, PA--York's Kevin Stover battled hot and humid weather conditions to win the "new and improved" Run for Peace 10K on June 26. Stover's 34:23 easily outpaced second place Jim Shimberg (36:06). The race had been held annually in Lititz from 1983 to 1995. After a three-year hiatus, it has been sponsored by the Etown Church of the Brethren and the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren. With the addition of a 5000-meter race to the previous 10K and Mile Run, the "new" Run for Peace drew over 350 runners in its inaugural race. Over $2,000 was raised for the Women's Center in Mulukuku, Nicaragua, and for relief for war victims of Kosovo. Stover was out in front and breezed to an easy win on the hot and somewhat hilly course. In past weeks he had won three of his last four races, including the previous week's Smith's Challenge in Lancaster. He finished second in this year's Red Rose Run. Red-Rose female champion and local star, Sandy Reedy of Reading, took the women's title without a contest. Her 39:58 cleanly beat second place Courtney Ebersole (40:50). Both Reedy and Stover had very positive comments about the race. "I thought the course was interesting and different," Reedy said while cooling down after the race. She seemed to echo Stover's assessment, as the men's champion commented on the grassy, hilly cross-country section of the race as being "quite challenging." Bill Maloney led a large crowd in winning the first Run for Peace 5000-meter race in 17:03. Second place went to Joe Reighard (17:24). Heather Parsons (20:15) was able to take the women's title ahead of Susan Kramer (21:03). Lancaster's Vinnie Basile won the Peace Mile in 5:01, and Luann Wise won the women's mile in 6:31. Since 1983, over 30,000 "Miles for Peace" have been logged by participants in the Run for Peace, and $17,000 has been earned for a variety of peacemaking causes. This year's profits will go to support the Women's Center in Mulukuku. Ravaged by poverty, hurricanes, and war, Mulukuku is a model of economic and social progress in the Third World. Sue Wagner-Fields, a local volunteer involved in support of the center, was on hand at the race to present awards. Additional race proceeds will be sent to aid victims of the war in Kosovo. MALE 10K Overall 1. Kevin Stover 34:23 14 and Under 1. Joel Grim 45:17 20-24 1. Jon Wenger 38:17 25-29 1. Ernest Lehman 36:46 30-34 1. Fernando Rodriguez 44:35 35-39 1. John Goodling 39:47 40-44 1. Jim Shimberg 36:06 45-49 1. Steve Miller 41:34 50-54 1. Carlos Rivera 41:20 55-59 1. Jim Bartoli 48:59 60 and Over 1. John Traini 53:48 5K Overall 1. Bill Maloney 17:03 14 and Under 1. Steve Cargile 20:31 15-19 1. Jim Koser 17:41 20-24 1. Kevin Shope 17:48 25-29 1. Jeff Boettger 18:35 30-34 1. Mark Buzzendorf 19:24 35-39 1. Joe Reighard 17:24 40-44 1. Howard Courtland 17:35 45-49 1. Gary Townsend 17:30 50-54 1. Dan Audette 20:44 55-59 1. Darrel Hines 19:52 60 and Over 1. Jack Wingenroth 21:41 Peace Mile Overall 1. Vinnie Basile 5:01 9 and Under 1. Scott Bilheimer 9:03 10-12 1. Justin Heidler 8:48 13-14 1. Joey Heidler 6:42 15-16 1. Tom Daly IV 5:32 17-20 1. Vincent Tokonitz 5:14 31-40 1. Mark Sullivan 5:07 41-50 1. Bill Longenecker 6:03 51 and Over 1. Ken Collins 7:22 FEMALE 10K Overall 1. Sandy Reedy 39:58 15-19 1. Tiffany Cave 45:56 20-24 1. Courtney Ebersole 40:52 25-29 1. Nicole Downs 52:34 30-34 1. Karen Young 48:15 35-39 1. Candace Lebo 43:45 40-49 1. Dianna Golden 44:14 50 and Over 1. Sharyn Bicksler 59:12 5K Overall 1. Heather Parsons 20:15 14 and Under 1. Katherine Davis 24:07 15-19 1. Esther Olson 23:08 20-24 1. Holly Minnich 21:14 25-29 1. Michelle Peters 22:59 30-34 1. Susan Kramer 21:03 35-39 1. Robin Sullivan 24:22 40-49 1. Margaret Horioka 22:47 50 and Over 1. Carol Fridley 22:11 Peace Mile Overall 1. Luann Wise 6:31 9 and Under 1. Molly Hoffer 12:07 10-12 1. Erin Hoffer 7:26 13-14 1. Abby Howard 7:45 31-40 1. Penny Harris 7:40 41-50 1. Susan Oscilowski 7:50 51 and Over 1. Jane Nelson 9:36 |