Tri State
Johns getting better, little by little
MacGray, Johns take Spring is Here! 10K titles
Results Photos
CUMBERLAND – The cold, the hills and blustery wind all were more challenging than expected for Cumberland resident Rhonda Johns.
On the other hand, everything was just perfect on Saturday during the 2nd annual Spring is Here! 10K road race. Johns, 23, set a course record over the 6.2-mile event in 51 minutes and 14 seconds – eclipsing former record-holder Maureen Hall’s 51:43.
Johns, preparing to make her 13.1-mile debut on April 19 at the Mountain Maryland Half Marathon, has steadily progressed during the first quarter of 2009. On Feb. 14, she averaged 8:29 per mile over a challenging 10K course in southern Bedford County, Pa. On March 7, she set a personal best in the 5K distance at Rocky Gap State Park with a 7:53 pace and, three weeks later, ran 23:58 – a 7:43 pace – over a 5K course at Mexico Farms.
Johns was told before the start of Saturday’s race the course, paved with rolling hills and one significant incline in the last half-mile, was easier than the Feb. 14 race. After crossing the finish line, she didn’t agree. Being a new course recordholder, however, likely helped to smooth over any hard feelings.
Mary Jane Baniak, 31, of Keyser, W.Va., was second in 53:22 and Frankfort High School senior Allison Tappe, 17, of Ridgeley, placed third in the women’s field in 56:04. Tappe was one of six runners in the field associated with the Falcons cross country and track teams.
The turnout was a practical one, as the event benefited teammate Brittany Armentrout, who is raising money to fund a competitive trip to Australia in July for the Down Under Sports International Games. Armentrout collected more than $300 in donations on Saturday and is now more than 77 percent towards reaching her $4,500 goal.
MacGray, 24, is training for the full 26.2-mile distance on April 19. For a $3 entry fee, he was able to test out how he might feel on the final 6.2 miles of the marathon. One exception – Saturday’s event was hillier than the final 10K of the marathon.
MacGray, of Cumberland, shared the lead with 56-year-old Tom Ruckert, of Grantsville, over the first mile but slowly pulled away as he neared the turnaround point on the out-and-back course. MacGray finished in 39:30. Ruckert was 78 seconds back in 40:48 and Charlie Falter, 44, of LaVale, was third in 42:15.
Derick Winfield, 48, of Cumberland, won the men’s masters title in 47:54 – good for eigth place overall – and Pam Robinette, 41, of Fort Ashby, W.Va., won the women’s masters crown with a time of 65:48.
Special thanks to: Fort Ashby Lions Club for sponsorship; Gary Householder and the Union Grove Campground Association for use of the facilities; event volunteers Brittany and Jodie Armentrou, Amanda Moreland and Valerie Van Hollen; and Allegany County Bureau of Police officers Lt. Col. Bobby Dick, deputy chief, and Lt. Rodney Bell and TriStateRunnur.com for race-day photography.
Male finishers: 14
Female finishers: 8
Average age male finisher: 31.1
Average age female finisher: 22.75
No. of area counties: 4 (Washington, Allegany, Garrett, Mineral)
No. of U.S. states: 4 (MD, VA, WV, AR)
MacGray, Johns take Spring is Here! 10K titles
Results Photos
CUMBERLAND – The cold, the hills and blustery wind all were more challenging than expected for Cumberland resident Rhonda Johns.
On the other hand, everything was just perfect on Saturday during the 2nd annual Spring is Here! 10K road race. Johns, 23, set a course record over the 6.2-mile event in 51 minutes and 14 seconds – eclipsing former record-holder Maureen Hall’s 51:43.
Johns, preparing to make her 13.1-mile debut on April 19 at the Mountain Maryland Half Marathon, has steadily progressed during the first quarter of 2009. On Feb. 14, she averaged 8:29 per mile over a challenging 10K course in southern Bedford County, Pa. On March 7, she set a personal best in the 5K distance at Rocky Gap State Park with a 7:53 pace and, three weeks later, ran 23:58 – a 7:43 pace – over a 5K course at Mexico Farms.
Johns was told before the start of Saturday’s race the course, paved with rolling hills and one significant incline in the last half-mile, was easier than the Feb. 14 race. After crossing the finish line, she didn’t agree. Being a new course recordholder, however, likely helped to smooth over any hard feelings.
Mary Jane Baniak, 31, of Keyser, W.Va., was second in 53:22 and Frankfort High School senior Allison Tappe, 17, of Ridgeley, placed third in the women’s field in 56:04. Tappe was one of six runners in the field associated with the Falcons cross country and track teams.
The turnout was a practical one, as the event benefited teammate Brittany Armentrout, who is raising money to fund a competitive trip to Australia in July for the Down Under Sports International Games. Armentrout collected more than $300 in donations on Saturday and is now more than 77 percent towards reaching her $4,500 goal.
MacGray, 24, is training for the full 26.2-mile distance on April 19. For a $3 entry fee, he was able to test out how he might feel on the final 6.2 miles of the marathon. One exception – Saturday’s event was hillier than the final 10K of the marathon.
MacGray, of Cumberland, shared the lead with 56-year-old Tom Ruckert, of Grantsville, over the first mile but slowly pulled away as he neared the turnaround point on the out-and-back course. MacGray finished in 39:30. Ruckert was 78 seconds back in 40:48 and Charlie Falter, 44, of LaVale, was third in 42:15.
Derick Winfield, 48, of Cumberland, won the men’s masters title in 47:54 – good for eigth place overall – and Pam Robinette, 41, of Fort Ashby, W.Va., won the women’s masters crown with a time of 65:48.
Special thanks to: Fort Ashby Lions Club for sponsorship; Gary Householder and the Union Grove Campground Association for use of the facilities; event volunteers Brittany and Jodie Armentrou, Amanda Moreland and Valerie Van Hollen; and Allegany County Bureau of Police officers Lt. Col. Bobby Dick, deputy chief, and Lt. Rodney Bell and TriStateRunnur.com for race-day photography.
Male finishers: 14
Female finishers: 8
Average age male finisher: 31.1
Average age female finisher: 22.75
No. of area counties: 4 (Washington, Allegany, Garrett, Mineral)
No. of U.S. states: 4 (MD, VA, WV, AR)
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Johns getting better, little by little
MacGray, Johns take Spring is Here! 10K titles
MacGray, Johns take Spring is Here! 10K titles