|
Shippensburg Memorial 5K: A History of Small
Mishaps
BY BRUCE KESSLER
SHIPPENSBURG, PA--This event should have the nickname “What
Could Possibly Go Wrong?” That’s not because anything
really did go wrong. But just for the intellectual exercise of
it: could much have gone wrong?
First, the Memorial 5K, held February 4, dodged bad weather
by a full 30 minutes: cold and rainy after the race. We had the
kind of awning you see at flea markets and street fairs that
protected our finisher boards. No problem. The plastic sleeve
your newspaper comes in on rainy days. It covered the mile markers.
The official timer was doing his first race? We think every
runner got the proper time. The new race director had plenty
of course and finish-line workers.
The race director (this writer) for the last 22 years retired
and ran? He got second in his age group.
I distinctly remember the year that the garbage truck backed
across the street near the finish line as the first runners sprinted
in. Another year the race director’s lead car got stuck
at the bottom on a hill at the edge of campus. He cheered the
runners on. Later they found the leader, rather tired from racing
far “off course” around Shippensburg. The guy who crossed
the finish line first (Tim Cook) generously conceded the trophy.
Some readers will remember the late Mr. Cook and understand how
this was in character.
This year nothing went wrong, as the Shippensburg University
Political Science Department members took on the responsibilities,
and the event went smoothly. The race generates funds for scholarships
at SU. Wise runners signed up for the brunch at the University
dining hall, and a pleasant time was had by all.
Editor’s Note: Our congrats to retired RD Bruce Kessler
on 22 years of top-notch race directing.
MALE
Overall Runner
1. Troy Harrison 16:52
Overall Masters
1. Doug Crist 17:53
Overall Walker
1. Ron Shields 33:32
Overall Masters Walker
1. William Obert 35:34
Under 21
1. Darron Croak 20:09
2. Tyler Schoenberger 22:10
21-29
1. Daryl St. Clair 18:13
2. Duane Novotni 18:48
30-39
1. Andy Mason 17:19
2. Michael Bowman 17:28
40-44
1. Chris Hohl 20:15
2. Doc Gallagher 20:44
45-49
1. Mike Meadows 18:49
2. Kev Hawn 19:44
50-54
1. Don Bergan 19:00
2. Chris Moosey 19:27
55-59
1. Bill Cavanaugh 19:59
2. Ron Slozat 20:09
60-69
1. Ed Sponseller 23:25
2. Lion Bruce Kessler 24:36
70 & Over
1. Leon Bierbower 24:34
2. Glenn Wright 26:31
FEMALE
Overall
1. Susan Gray 18:15
Overall Masters
1. Marlys Palmer 24:23
Overall Walker
1. Sherry Obert 36:06
Under 21
1. Lara Crofford 18:25
2. Marie Lamparter 19:54
21-29
1. Jessica Barlup 28:06
30-34
1. Beth Meuhl 21:45
2. Jackie Maddox 23:24
35-39
1. Jennifer Truskey 23:46
2. Tina Demell 24:31
40-44
1. Lisa Diller 25:32
2. Catherine Dusman 27:39
45-49
1. Jean Gaughan 24:30
50 & Over
1. Margaret Horioka 25:45
2. Faye Hawn 29:05
Top 25 Overall
1. Troy Harrison 16:52
2. Andy Mason 17:19
3. Michael Bowman 17:28
4. Doug Crist 17:53
5. Jim Smiley 18:03
6. Daryl St. Clair 18:13
7. Susan Gray 18:15
8. Lara Crofford 18:25
9. Duane Novotni 18:48
10. Mike Meadows 18:49
11. Don Bergan 19:00
12. Chris Moosey 19:27
13. Neal Riemenschneider 19:39
14. Kev Hawn 19:44
15. Bob Walker 19:45
16. Tim Fisler 19:51
17. Marie Lamparter 19:54
18. Bill Cavanaugh 19:59
19. Ron Slozat 20:09
20. Darron Croak 20:09
21. Chris Hohl 20:15
22. Michael Miller 20:30
23. Doc Gallagher 20:44
24. Don Moats 21:07
25. Craig Leisher 21:10
|
CVAC Team Members Take Annual Memorial
5K
BY NEAL RIEMENSCHNEIDER
SHIPPENSBURG, PA--Troy Harrison and Susan Gray, members of
the Cumberland Valley Athletic Club, were the overall winners
of the Memorial 5K. Held on February 4th, the 5K course starts
and ends at the University gym and traverses nearby country roads.
Race day was cloudy and cold with breezy conditions.
Harrison, employed with Mack Trucks located in Hagerstown,
MD, took the lead just past one mile. “Mike Bowman led for
the first mile but I passed him just past the marker,” stated
Harrison. “I just kept focusing on running a strong race
and felt good the whole way.” Harrison grabbed a quick shower
and donned his camouflage fatigues just before the awards ceremony.
As a member of the Army National Guard, the staff sergeant had
to hustle out for his weekend drill assignment. “They let
me report late for drill hoping I will get good press for the
Army” joked Harrison who is a member of the Army National
Guard Marathon Team. With a wining time of 16:52 Harrison finished
27 seconds ahead of second place finisher Andy Mason. The top
Masters was Doug Crist who ran 17:53 and finished 4th overall.
For Gray, a resident of Greencastle, PA, this was her first
race of the season. “I am getting ready for a March marathon
and this was my 2006 kick-off run. I wanted to run even splits
and just get back into the racing mode,” explained Gray.
When I asked her what she did for a living she replied that
she did not work and that she was a stay-at-home mom with 3 toddlers.
Not work?! Gray was being very humble. All moms out there know
that being a mom is very hard work and is a job from which you
rarely get a break. Gray was never pressed as she led from the
gun and finished with a great time of 18:15 which saw her finish
a remarkable 7th overall. Finishing a distant second was Marie
Lamparter (19:54) while Hagerstown Community College PE instructor
and basketball coach Marlys Palmer (24:23) was the first Masters.
For years, this race was superbly organized by Ship professor
and avid runner Bruce Kessler. Kessler, now retired from Ship,
was able to run the race for the first time in its 20-plus years
of existence. Fortunately, Kessler was extremely generous in
his support as the new leaders of the race kept up the fine organization
as once again the race, with its 88 finishers, was well organized
and well manned. |
|