Tri State
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Plunge packs 'em in
Crowd at Rocky Gap State Park largest since big music festivals
Cumberland Times-News
MICHAEL A. SAWYERS
Times-News Staff Writer
ROCKY GAP — There were some magic numbers Saturday afternoon at Rocky Gap State Park, the site of the fifth annual Hooley Plunge.
There were numbers such as 78 (the air temperature), 45 (the water temperature), 500-plus (the number of plungers) and $86,000.
Crowd at Rocky Gap State Park largest since big music festivals
Cumberland Times-News
MICHAEL A. SAWYERS
Times-News Staff Writer
ROCKY GAP — There were some magic numbers Saturday afternoon at Rocky Gap State Park, the site of the fifth annual Hooley Plunge.
There were numbers such as 78 (the air temperature), 45 (the water temperature), 500-plus (the number of plungers) and $86,000.
The latter number, of course, was the most important, being the dollar amount raised for the Allegany County Special Olym-pics, Boy Scout Troop 89 and a number of special projects to help children with developmental disabilities.
“And there were still some donations coming in,” said Hooley spokeswoman Becky McClarran, shortly after the last ripple calmed at the park’s swimming beach.
Perhaps nothing puts the turnout of an adventurous and generous community into better perspective than a statement by Park Manager Mike Deckelbaum
Looking around, putting his hands up in the air and taking in the unseasonal early March gathering, Deckelbaum said, “This is the largest single-day turnout at Rocky Gap since the (country and bluegrass) music festival.” Read More
“And there were still some donations coming in,” said Hooley spokeswoman Becky McClarran, shortly after the last ripple calmed at the park’s swimming beach.
Perhaps nothing puts the turnout of an adventurous and generous community into better perspective than a statement by Park Manager Mike Deckelbaum
Looking around, putting his hands up in the air and taking in the unseasonal early March gathering, Deckelbaum said, “This is the largest single-day turnout at Rocky Gap since the (country and bluegrass) music festival.” Read More
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Tom Ruckert Grantsville,MD 19:12
Paula Bridges Cumberland,MD 22:36
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“Run for the Plunge” 5K run/walk
In conjunction with the Hooley Plunge
come warm-up for your dip
in Lake Habeeb with the first
“Run for the Plunge” 5K run/walk
at Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, Maryland
In conjunction with the Hooley Plunge
come warm-up for your dip
in Lake Habeeb with the first
“Run for the Plunge” 5K run/walk
at Rocky Gap State Park in Flintstone, Maryland
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Hooley Plunge 86,000 Tops Fundraising Goal
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Run for the Plunge nets more than $1,300
Ruckert, Bridges take individual wins, but small victories carry the day
ROCKY GAP – It wasn’t a day for setting records – at least not the kind measured by a runner’s stopwatch.
It was a day for camaraderie, an “all-for-one” attitude, if you will. It was fun – and Andrew Ferguson just couldn’t let his mother go it alone.
Ruckert, Bridges take individual wins, but small victories carry the day
ROCKY GAP – It wasn’t a day for setting records – at least not the kind measured by a runner’s stopwatch.
It was a day for camaraderie, an “all-for-one” attitude, if you will. It was fun – and Andrew Ferguson just couldn’t let his mother go it alone.
“It looks like you could use a running buddy,” he told his mother, Julie Ferguson, as she reached the halfway point of the first annual Run for the Plunge 5K run/walk on Saturday at Rocky Gap State Park. The inaugural event raised more than $1,300 for local groups.
Andrew Ferguson, of Keyser, W.Va., already had completed his 3.1-mile effort – he placed fourth overall among the first 86 finishers. But the 87th and last was his mom, who had just reached the turnaround point at the dam overlooking Lake Habeeb with a scenic segue to Evitts Mountain.
Julie Ferguson, 70, of Ashburn, Va., was by herself in a spiritual zone of sorts, but she appeared grateful for the company and welcomed her son with a smile. Dressed in blue jeans, a hunter green long-sleeve shirt with a matching sweater secured around her waist – the favorable, 70-degree temperature made it unnecessary – she finished her cup of ice cold water at the aid station and prepared for the final 1.5 miles to the finish line with her son. Julie Ferguson, with Andrew, finished in 69:24, a leisurely 22:24 per mile.
The Fergusons – Andrew finished in 20 minutes and 25 seconds while his wife, Laurie, tailed 4-year-old Garrett about 26 minutes later – were just four of nearly 90 first-time Run for the Plunge participants to raise money for the Allegany County Special Olympics, Boy Scout Troop 89 and other programs which benefit local people who have developmental disabilities.
The run/walk was sponsored by Manheim Corp., of Pittsburgh, Pa., Martin’s Food in Cumberland, Western Maryland Timing and TriStateRunnur.com. What is significant is that only three weeks before Saturday, the run/walk didn’t exist. Dr. Sean McCagh, organizer of the fifth annual Hooley Plunge – the now annual and looked-forward to dip in Lake Habeeb – gathered with potential stakeholders in mid-February. Over pizza and soda, the Mountain Maryland Marathon Club agreed to organize the event on short notice.
Working with Mantheiy, club officials and organic T-shirt designer Arron Blacker and Rocky Gap State Park rangers Mike Deckelbaum and Sarah Milbourne, the event was quickly processed for a permit and logistics were readied. With a small but dedicated group of volunteers on event day, including Valerie Van Hollen, Jim Jordan and Robert Hall, the marathon club was ready for 30 pre-registered runners and 59 more who signed up on Saturday.
There was a race, of course. Tom Ruckert, 56, of Grantsville, won in 19:12 while 16-year-olds Ian MacFawn (19:38) and Adam Rossi (19:55) took second and third, respectively.
Paula Bridges, 43, of Cumberland, took home the women’s title in 22:36. Corinne Mantheiy, 14, was second in 23:48 while Connie Milligan, 40, edged Nikole Sensabuagh by three seconds for third place.
Andrew Ferguson, of Keyser, W.Va., already had completed his 3.1-mile effort – he placed fourth overall among the first 86 finishers. But the 87th and last was his mom, who had just reached the turnaround point at the dam overlooking Lake Habeeb with a scenic segue to Evitts Mountain.
Julie Ferguson, 70, of Ashburn, Va., was by herself in a spiritual zone of sorts, but she appeared grateful for the company and welcomed her son with a smile. Dressed in blue jeans, a hunter green long-sleeve shirt with a matching sweater secured around her waist – the favorable, 70-degree temperature made it unnecessary – she finished her cup of ice cold water at the aid station and prepared for the final 1.5 miles to the finish line with her son. Julie Ferguson, with Andrew, finished in 69:24, a leisurely 22:24 per mile.
The Fergusons – Andrew finished in 20 minutes and 25 seconds while his wife, Laurie, tailed 4-year-old Garrett about 26 minutes later – were just four of nearly 90 first-time Run for the Plunge participants to raise money for the Allegany County Special Olympics, Boy Scout Troop 89 and other programs which benefit local people who have developmental disabilities.
The run/walk was sponsored by Manheim Corp., of Pittsburgh, Pa., Martin’s Food in Cumberland, Western Maryland Timing and TriStateRunnur.com. What is significant is that only three weeks before Saturday, the run/walk didn’t exist. Dr. Sean McCagh, organizer of the fifth annual Hooley Plunge – the now annual and looked-forward to dip in Lake Habeeb – gathered with potential stakeholders in mid-February. Over pizza and soda, the Mountain Maryland Marathon Club agreed to organize the event on short notice.
Working with Mantheiy, club officials and organic T-shirt designer Arron Blacker and Rocky Gap State Park rangers Mike Deckelbaum and Sarah Milbourne, the event was quickly processed for a permit and logistics were readied. With a small but dedicated group of volunteers on event day, including Valerie Van Hollen, Jim Jordan and Robert Hall, the marathon club was ready for 30 pre-registered runners and 59 more who signed up on Saturday.
There was a race, of course. Tom Ruckert, 56, of Grantsville, won in 19:12 while 16-year-olds Ian MacFawn (19:38) and Adam Rossi (19:55) took second and third, respectively.
Paula Bridges, 43, of Cumberland, took home the women’s title in 22:36. Corinne Mantheiy, 14, was second in 23:48 while Connie Milligan, 40, edged Nikole Sensabuagh by three seconds for third place.
Julie and Andrew Ferguson