Saturday, December 16, 2000 -- Boyce, VA
Jingle Bell 5K
Story by Neal Riemenschneider

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3] [SVR Coverage]

Let's get rolling!

The Shenandoah Valley Runners held the second race in their annual winter series on Saturday December 16th at the Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce, VA

Race day dawned damp, cold, and overcast with light rain falling off and on. Despite this dreary weather, 75 participants came out to enjoy a traffic free 5K event held in and around the grounds of Blandy Farms. As participants were warming up, deer could be seen in nearby fields with inquisitive looks on their faces. They were probably wondering what all these brightly clad humans were doing out on their land.

Sheri Kreuz says Hi!

At the gun, the runners were off on the loop course that was about 65% dirt and gravel roads. Mark Stickley and Jared Prunty quickly separated themselves from the field and hit the first mile in 5:07. Stickley then kept the pressure on as he opened up a gap on Prunty that he would carry all the way to the finish line. "I was surprised Jared didn't stick with me longer, "explained the 38 year old Stickley. "I was hoping for a 16 flat so I'm a little disappointed with my time."

Hitting the finish line in 16:30, Stickley finished almost a minute up on the 18 year old Prunty (17:21). Chris Northrup was third (18:21) taking advantage of a woefully out of shape high schooler, Dustin Sweeney (18:35). The top master was the old guy writing this drivel in 19:01. I know Ed Frohnapfel is shaking in his boots now after reading this.

For the women, some very fast young female runners surrounded veteran runner Ruth Riemenschneider. "I was real surprised that so many of the young girls went out so fast. I figured if I just ran my own race they would drop off, " stated the 43 year old second grade teacher.

Jessie Daniels shows her Christmas Spirit

And drop off they did as Riemenschneider's winning time of 21:18 saw her finish almost a minute ahead of runner-up 19 year old Michelle VanHorn (22:04). The next 3 finishers where Emily Harrison (age 14, 22:37), Christian Moore (age 13, 22:51) and Rachel Eisenfeld (age 14, 23:11). Girls, try and pace yourselves better! Top master was coach Nancy Specht in 25:21.

Runners were given finish cards to fill out as they crossed the finish line. Along with the usual name, time, age and sex information, runners where asked, "What do you want for the holidays?" My dippy wife wrote in "A real man." Good luck Ruth getting those diamond earrings for Christmas.

Kudos to race director Patrick Farris for his work on this well run event. Numerous gifts were given out via a random drawing that sent many participants home with an early Christmas present.