Saturday, September 18, 2004 -- Scottdale, PA
Scottdale Fall Festival 10K/5K (iPO Event Id#: 6463)
Story and photos by Don Parks

[Details] [Coverage]
[Overall Results] [Results by Class]
Pictures: [Set 1] [Set 2] [Set 3] [Set 4] [Set 5] [Set 6]
Past Coverage: [2000] [2002] [2003]

Having a little fun at the Fall Fest

The sun was shining on Scottdale on Saturday afternoon and the Fall Festival was in full swing. And come 2:30pm it was time to clear a path through the streets as the 5k and 10k racing was set to begin. While the organizers and volunteers had their hands full keeping the revelers and racers out of each others' way, the biggest challenge for the runners would be the hills and the strong head winds.

Up to the task was 10K runner Francis Molinaro wearing bib number 1. He finished with a winning time of 38:34. Second and third overall went to Heath Piper (39:14) and Allan Brown (39:57), respectively.

For the women it was Debbie Conner (50:40) topping the podium. Also gaining top spots in the 10K were Angie Garlowich (52:08) who took second and Tami Cuzzocrea (55:15) who took third.

Francis Molinaro lives up to wearing bib #1

Finishing well ahead of all these runners was Eddie Filcheck. The difference was that Filcheck was only running 5K. He finished with a winning time of 18:31. Jeremy Molinaro followed up the senior Molinaro's 10K win with a 5K second overall at 19:41. Rounding out the top the in the 5K was Allen Welc at 20:02.

In some of the closest racing of the day, Jennifer Striner (23:21) took the women's overall title in the 5K. The battle for second was won by Lynn Huggins (23:46) finishing just ten seconds ahead of third place Rita Cooper (23:56).

It is interesting to note a strange coincidence between the top women finishers in the 5K and 10K races. In both races the top three finished 14th, 16th, and 18th overall. Now what are the odds of that!

Finishing with a nice downhill

In the 5K walk there was nothing odd about Craig Baer (31:25) finding the finish line first. The second walker to finish was the first female in Jamie Brooks (33:21). Brooks was quite happy to announce that she recently came down with a case of pregnancy. Congratulations Jamie!

Taking home the rest of the top medals for the men in the 5K walk were Tom Skemp (33:37) and Rick Kupets (36:11). For the women it was Shari Bandemer (35:29) and Gwen Baer (37:51) taking home the hardware.

Now if the racing wasn't excitement enough for you, the Scottdale Fall Festival was still going full strength well into the evening and Sunday, too. And since all participants received a $3 food coupon, those funnel cakes started smelling pretty good!