Saturday, March 17, 2001 -- Chambersburg, PA
Chambersburg Half Marathon (iPO Event Id#: 2935)
Story and photos by Mike McCagh

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

Running through the mist

A grey blanket of fog settled in Chambersburg Saturday morning but didn't keep over 230 runners from showing up for the 22nd Chambersburg Road Runners Club Half-Marathon. The event hosted at the local middle school was filling up with cars as early as 8 o'clock and a swarm of raceday registration filed out of the building's main doors as the biggest event of spring was under way.

As racetime edged closer, the runners formed one huge mass on McKinley Street where the race would start and finish. To ensure safety, a pace car was blinking ahead of the pack, police cones were set and manned at all junctions on the course, and a bike patroller from the Chambersburg Fire Department was floating amongst the runners during the race. Hats off to the CRRC for doing everything possible to guarantee a clean and safe race.

Down McKinley Street they went, the sky still thick with clouds. They turned right and began a labyrinth through the back-roads of Chambersburg. One weary runner said after the race, "Those cow fields back there were like smelling salts to me, every time I thought I couldn't go any more I'd take a deep breath and keep on going."

Eugene Roberts of Baltimore, MD

The course rolled over steady ground, looped midway, and gave the runners one long hill to challenge on their way home. Cars were considerate to runners and water stations were placed at mile markers.

Steve Spence, former Olympian who finished second in Japan, catapulted into an early lead taking first place with a time of 1:08:12. Hot on his heels were Jim Lebo from Shrewsbury, PA who finished at 1:12:31 and Matt McDonald who clocked in at 1:16:54 for third.

The overall women's winners were a tight pack of three racers. Ann Sick was the first woman to cross the finish line at 1:30:46, then Wendy Blass at 1:31:49, and third went to Terrie Cudd at 1:33:33.

A word of vision and inspiration should go to Eugene Roberts from Baltimore, MD who ran the half-marathon on prosthetic legs. Congratulations to everyone who ran the race: your determination is inspiring!

Afterwards, the event the CRRC dubs as "13 miles of fun with fantastic food at the finish" proved true to its title in the school cafeteria. Great race from start to finish everyone!

Special thanks go out to the following for their support; Dodies Restaurant & Catering, Cliff's Restoration & Repair, Winters Welding Service, Chambersburg Middle School, Chambersburg Ambulance Service & the Mont Alto Fire Police.