Saturday, April 1, 2000 -- Indiana, PA
Fools Run 10K
Story and photos by Julie Bertsch
[Details]
[Coverage]
Results:
[10K by Class]
[10K Overall]
[5K Walk]
Pictures:
[Set 1]
[Set 2]
[Set 3]
[Set 4]
[Set 5]
[Set 6]
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The kid's race was an exciting event for everyone to enjoy
On Saturday, April 1st, the first leg of the Indiana Triple Crown was
kicked-off! Beautiful blue skies could be seen for miles over
the multi-purposed ice facility called the Indiana Ice Center, where
over 100 runners and 30 walkers gathered for the Fools 10K. Held in
the Christmas tree capitol of the world and the home of IUP
University, Indian, PA proves to be a famous mark on the map just
south of Punxsutawney where an infamous groundhog named "Phil"
resides. Even Andy Hart from
The
Planet 92.5 FM was there to give everyone in Indiana updates on
the race.
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Tim Lentz cruises to the finish line of the 10K Run
The racers gathered at the start of the fast course, which had some
tough hills to content with in the last few miles of the 10K Run.
As participants anxiously awaited the sound of the starting pistol,
spectators lined the course to catch a glimpse of the action.
The sun beat down on the course, but a cool breeze seemed to give some
runners some extra speed. Tim Lentz from Rural Valley, PA came
around the last turn barely breaking a sweat. His time of
32:50 earned him the top spot in the race.
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Smiles were all over the course
A well known runner in the area who has an incredible racing resume was
coming on strong for 2nd place. The bright red shirt of
Tammy Slusser of Monroeville, PA could be seen in a blur entering
the finishers shoot. Slusser, who took the 1st place woman's spot in
the
Pittsburgh Marathon in 1994, and 2nd in the women's class
in the 1999 Charleston Distance Run, finished the Fools Run with a
fast time of 36:52. Slusser took home the 2nd place Overall plaque.
Only 6 seconds behind Slusser was Indiana native, Jeff Tomecek
(36:58), who held his own to finish 3rd Overall respectively.
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Walkers enjoyed the sunshine
The first walker to arrive at the finish was
Steve Bence, a Penn Hills, PA native and a familiar face in
Indiana. Bence finished 1st Overall in the walk with a time of
25:52. Gary Young(28:59,) was all smiles when he crossed the
finish line 2nd in the Walk. John Hilema placed 3rd in the Walk with
a time of 40:16.
After the race everyone enjoyed fruit and drinks, and lounging
in the Indiana Ice Center. Bill Winters and crew from the
Indiana Road Runners Club announced the winners as everyone applauded.
This is only the beginning, as the Indiana Triple Crown continues.
Check the Pennsylvania Running Schedule for more races in Indiana.
Special Thanks: To Bill Winters, The Indiana Road
Runners Club, Dave Napes & Crew, S&T Bank, and the Indiana Hospital
for making this event possible.
