Saturday, June 3, 2000 -- Dawson, PA
Tri Town Three
Story and photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
[Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [Pic Set 4]

In Dawson, PA, there was a lot more going on than just a 3 Mile Run...

The 2nd Annual Tri Town Three, a 3-mile running and walking race, was just one of many outdoor events making up the Greater Tri-Town Historical Society Homecoming. This three day event (good things always come in threes), held in the scenic small town of Dawson, just east of Connellsville along the Youghiogheny River, had a little of everything. Packed into the weekend were carnival games, bingo, crafts, a parade, a classic and antique car show, a fishing tournament, music, fireworks, and more.

Saturday morning's race began with registration on the lawn of the fabulous and historic Cochran House then moved to the starting line on the north bank of the Youghiogheny. The scenic course started on paved residential streets, took the participants across the bridge over the river, then down onto the gorgeous Yough River Rail Trail before turning everyone around to retrace their steps back into town. The 9:00am start took great advantage of a cool morning with the sun working hard to peak out behind the mostly cloudy skies.

Runners head back to Dawson on the Yough Trail

Jumping out to an early lead was Connellsville's Brad Herrington with Mt. Pleasant's young Rory Eutsey matching him stride for stride. Eutsey, who specializes in shorter distances, began to drop off the lead pace after the first half-mile. From there the race was all Herrington as he went on to take a dominant first place overall win with a time of 16:42.

Chasing the leaders early was a group running in third that included Connellsville's Rick Brooks and Uniontown's Lance Gallagher. Brooks was the first to pull away from the group as he went on to pass Eutsey near the halfway mark and continued strong to finish second in 17:23.

Eventually, Gallagher also pulled past Eutsey to grab third place just 10 seconds behind Brooks in 17:33. Eutsey held on to fourth place at the finish to record the only other sub-18 minute time, 17:53.

Jamie Brooks matches her husband's 2nd place finish with one of her own

The race for the overall women's winner was won by Scottdale's Angie Garlowich in 21:13. She held the first position from wire to wire as did second place finisher, Connellsville's Jamie Brooks (22:18), wife of the second overall male finisher.

Not far back was a battle for third as the Uniontown duo of Lynn Huggins and Angie Schimansky raced down the final stretch. Huggins, who trailed for most of the race, sprinted around Schimansky (22:38) to take the honors with a time of 22:35. Explaining her slow start, Huggins commented with a slight smile, "I was talking too much during the first mile!" Feeling maybe a little exasperated, Schimansky replied, "She does this to me every race." The friendly rivalry will surely resume as the ladies will team up for plenty more running this summer.

Michael won't let a little foot injury keep him away from the fun in Dawson!

And, if walking is more your style, look out for the likes of Ron Brooks and Jim Downey. These two Connellsville gentleman strutted through the course well ahead of the rest of the walking field. At the finish it was Brooks taking the win in 26:19 followed by Downey's 26:41. The women walkers where lead to the finish by more of Connellsville's finest with Carolyn Brooks (32:48) taking first and Gloria Laugherty (33:05) taking second.

There were plenty more winners too numerous to mention. As a matter of fact, every one of the almost 100 participants were given awards, along with their race t-shirts and plenty of great post-race refreshments. Throw in a bunch of random prizes won by some lucky racers and it was time to take in the rest of the sites, sounds and smells of the Tri-Town homecoming celebration. Hope you'll be able to make it next year for another great 3-mile event, because you'll certainly enjoy the small town hospitality and charm found in Dawson.