TERRENCE MAHON, WINNER OF THE LOOP RUN IN A TIME OF 43:17. DAVE THOMAS PHOTO

Mahon Scores at Oldest Philly Race

BY JERRY NOLAN

PHILADELPHIA, PA--Terrence Mahon, 31, of Bryn Mawr, PA, and Abby Dean, 30, of Philadelphia, were the overall winners of the 29th annual Schuylkill River Loop Run, held on November 26. Their times were 43:17 and 52:51, respectively. Dean was the 13th runner among 206 finishers. Masters honors were taken by Paul Hines, age 47, of Philadelphia (49:47) and Nagedgo Yefremova, age 42, also from Philadelphia (1:01:20).

The unusual race distance of 8.4 miles around the Schuylkill River began and ended near the Art Museum. It is a venue familiar to local runners who use all, or part, of the course for training runs. In addition, the course is part of the Philadelphia Distance Run (a half-marathon) and the Philadelphia Marathon. It is considered the oldest continuous road race in Philadelphia.

ABBY DEAN (RIGHT), FEMALE WINNER OF THE LOOP RUN IN 52:51, ACCEPTS HER AWARD. DAVE THOMAS PHOTO

Also featured in the day's events were a 5K racewalk and an 8.4 mile team race with male and female teams. Cliff Mimm took racewalk honors with his 24:29 time. Sherry Robinson was the first female racewalker to finish with a time of 30:28. Two former Olympian racewalkers were attracted to the event. Elliott Denman, also a well-known running and walking journalist, officiated. Dave Romansky, now 63, finished 6th overall with a time of 32:07. PCOM took male team honors with a 56:39 time. Taking top female team honors in 1:08:36 was the Girls Running Club.

Proceeds from the race benefited the Leukemia Society of America (Eastern PA Chapter). Dave Thomas, the race director, is a marathon training coach for Leukemia Team in Training.