Williamsport Freedom Run Independence Day 5K ‘adds to the flair’ of July 4th celebration

Independence Day 5K ‘adds to the flair’ of July 4th celebration
Clark, Blanco take individual wins

By Kevin Spradlin
TriStateRunnur.com

WILLIAMSPORT, July 4 - American Revolutionary War hero Othlo Holland Williams would have been proud.

Williams found himself isolated from fellow captors as a prisoner of war while a Continental Army officer in 1778. Though Sunday’s annual Independence Day 5K footrace had a distinct Hagerstown flavor, Williams, for which the town of Williamsport is named, would likely have enjoyed the company of 168 runners who crossed the finish line of the 3.1-mile road race.

After all, Williams and each of the finishers have something in common - they overcome obstacles to achieve a goal.

On Sunday, it was simply hotter than expected. That didn’t faze Nathanial Clark, a sophomore at Hagerstown Community College. The 19-year-old fended off fellow Hagerstown resident - and HCC cross country teammate - Brandon Mavik to win the overall title. Clark finished in 16 minutes, 43 seconds. Mavik, 20, took second in 17:04 and HCC alum Rob Hovermale, of Smithsburg, was third in 17:10 and was the first runner 40-and-over to cross the finish line.

Hagerstown resident Amy Blanco, 34, took the women’s title and earned 15^th place overall with a time of 19:09. Close to three minutes later, Johna Bolinger, 49, of Chambersburg, Pa., finished as the top 40-and-over runner in 21:50. Sarah Zielinski, going into her sophomore year at Boonsboro High School, was third in 22:08.

The idea for the race belongs to former Williamsport Town Councilman Jeff Cline, an HCC graduate. Along with current Washington County Commissioner Terry Baker and fellow HCC grad, Cline helped the Williamsport High School Wildcats to two consecutive state titles in cross country (1970, 1971). Though no longer able to run due to medical limitations, he remains active by walking and cycling.

But at the start of the race near Byron Memorial Park “when I see you guys take off, I still have that adrenaline rush,” Cline said.

Cline, formerly the town’s Parks and Recreation Commissioner, spoke to the importance of community events such as the Independence Day celebration. The 5K run was the first of a day-long series of events planned for visitors to the park and town.

“It’s a nice kickoff to the festivities,” Cline said. “You saw people of all athletic skills. These events … add to the flair and quality of life to the community.”

The event benefited the HCC Booster Club. Donations of canned food were solicited for the Williamsport Food Bank. HCC was well represented by not only the race’s top three runners but also several VIPs, including Athletics Director Robert “Bo” Myers, men’s basketball coach Barry Brown, cross country coach Brian Ferrari, and Earl Stoner, another HCC graduate and currently Washington County Health Officer, as well as Hawks runners and members of the school’s baseball and basketball teams. Many held volunteer posts of traffic control or water stations. Even race director Jaime Dick is an HCC graduate.

The 5K continues to grow in popularity. There were 152 finishers in 2009 and, in 2008, 110 crossed the finish line of the 3.1-mile run.

Cline said the run is becoming a staple of families’ July 4 celebration plans.