LISA REILLY #23 LEADS KIM SADDIC (RIGHT) THROUGH A PACK OF MEN INCLUDING MIKE BOMBERGER #212

Kenyans Dominate Male Race;
Demko Takes Top Female Honors
at Smith Barney White Rose

BY CLAY SHAW

YORK, PA-- The 22nd running of the Smith Barney/York White Rose Five Mile Run held November 14, had ideal weather (44 degrees, sunny, little wind).

Runners from Kenya once again dominated the men's race, and two-time champ Misti Demko returned after a five year absence to win easily.

MISTY DEMKO CHARGES TOWARD THE FINISH LINE TO WIN THE 1998 SMITH BARNEY YORK WHITE ROSE RUN IN 27:35

Misti Demko from Hershey, PA led the women's race from the start and cruised to a 27:35 victory, 47 seconds ahead of 2nd place Ellen Strickler of Philadelphia (28:22). Kim Saddic was 3rd in 28:47, Lisa Reilly was 4th in 28:50, running well after two years of frustrating injuries. Kenyan Milka Jepchirchir, 20, (29:43), dueled Amy Pyles (29:44) all the way to the finish. Dianna Miller-Golden took top Masters honors, but was frustrated with her time of 34:09. Dee Nelson of Gaithersburg, MD broke the 55-59 women's race age-group mark with a 39:35.

Paul Mwangi led a pack of five through mile one, and broke it open soon thereafter. Mwangi went on to win in 23:49. Davis Kamau was 2nd in 24:05, Elijah Kitur was 3rd in 24:18, as runners from Kenya finished 1-2-3 and 6-11. Doug Mock of Germantown, MD was the first U.S.A. finisher and was 4th overall in 24:39. Jonathan Schesinger of Fairfax, VA was 5th in 24:48. Joel Onwonga of Kenya was 6th in 24:56, one week after running the Columbus Marathon. Five-time race champ John Doub was top Masters in 27:01. Herb Townsend of Center Valley, PA set a new 60-69 men's mark of 31:40.

The Smith Barney York White Rose Run is directed by Clay Shaw and Penny Hornock. The race is directed by runners, for runners, and hopes for another increase in participation in 1999. Besides the title sponsor Smith Barney, supporting sponsors are Culligan, PowerBar, and Big Sky Bread.

AMY PYLES #25 AND JIM ADAMS #309 NEAR THE 2 MILE POINT. PYLES FINISHED 6TH AMONG WOMEN ADAMS 3RD IN 40-44 MEN

1999 date--November 13, 1999--see you there.

Photo Credits - Clay Shaw