Sunday, October 26, 2003 -- Uniontown, PA
4th Annual Fall Back Run (iPO Event Id#: 5772)
Story and photos by Heather Bury

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

Close competition in the race walk

On the day when you are supposed to turn your clocks back, you expect some people to forget and show up early for things like, well, a race. I showed up to the race about 5 minutes before the start, thanks to the lack of street signs in Uniontown. Luckily I wasn't running.

The Fall Back Run is a race where you have the rare opportunity to choose between a 5k and a 5 mile. Unlike the day before, the temperatures had risen, and there was a hint of humidity in the air. As the threat of rain loomed overhead, both races went off, and would eventually split at the 1.5 mile mark.

Hometown runner Adam Shinsky was the first to round the corner for the finish line. With his time of 17:04, Shinsky was well ahead of the 5k competition. Larry Thompson of Washington placed 2nd with a time of 18:06. Right behind Thompson was Francis Molinaro of Connellsville in 18:11.

The crowd gets rolling

In the women's 5k, 18 year old Kelly Costanzo was all by herself with a 21:09. Forty-two year old Tina Seech was second in 21:55, and rounding out the top three was 45 year old Rita Cooper of Greensburg with a 22:44.

In the 5k walk division, it was a close race between Thomas Starkey, Bruce Kokan, and Craig Baer. Starkey of Millsboro won with a time of 27:45. Kokan of Smock wasn't too far behind with a time of 28:10 for second while Baer took third with a 28:38.

In the women's walk division it was all Kathy Paes of Fredericktown with a time of 31:22. Laura Jericho of Dunbar was second with a time of 34:20 and Gretchen Polosky, also of Dunbar was third in 35:09.

Larry Thompsons races for second in the 5K

A few brave souls decided to run the 5 miler. Of those brave souls, Joseph Carei of Uniontown proved to be the fastest, winning in 30:40. Second went to Eddie Filcheck, also of Uniontown in 31:04. And third went to Daryl St. Clari of Central City in 31:21.

The 5 mile women's race was dominated by Susan Claar of Uniontown. In a neat little coincidence, the 39 year old ran 39:00 for the win. Running in second was Martine Devine of Pittsburgh with a 40:55. Third went to Kathleen Kennedy of Point Marion in 43:38.

The racers were treated to a feast of pizza and meatball sandwiches along with some home baked cookies after the race. The winners also took home framed inspirational posters along with their well earned medals.