Thursday, June 15, 2006 -- Connellsville, PA
Francis Bud Murphy Memorial 5K (iPO Event Id#: 7566)
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] [Set 7] [Set 8] [Set 9]
[Set 10] [Set 11] [Set 12] [Set 13]
Past Event Coverage: [2000] [2001] [2002 Results] [2003] [2004] [2005]

Good times at Bud Murphy's 5K

Another mid-June Thursday evening saw the crowds gather at Highlands Hospital for the annual Francis Bud Murphy Memorial 5K run and walk. To the delight of everyone the weather was some of the best in recent years, no rain and not terribly hot or humid.

The racing began promptly at 7pm with Connellsville's finest out in force to close the streets to traffic. The running starts with a grueling climb, but that also means a downhill finish after a loop around the local high school.

Adam Shinsky earns his #1 bib for another year

Adam Shinsky was out wearing bib number one as the defending champion from the previous two years. He didn't disappoint as he headed toward the finish all alone. His winning time of 16:47 took twelve seconds off his time of a year before.

The other top finishers were spread out behind Shinsky with Connellsville local Wade Schnorr arriving at the line in second at 17:12. Taking third was Ed Filcheck who found the line at 17:41.

For the women runners it was Heather Parks returing after winning the race in 2004 and getting married in 2005. She distanced herself from the other women to finish first, ninth overall, with a time of 18:55.

Rounding out the lady's podium was Julie Lipniskas (21:07) and Michelle Wissinger (21:21) who finished second and third, respectively.

Flexing some muscles at the top of the last hill

The 5K walk at Bud Murphy's always draws a huge number of competitors along with those just out for some fun evening exercise. Putting in the fastest strides was Frank Mulich who covered the 3.1 miles in a time of 26:32.

Keeping up a good pace to finish second was Bruce Kukan with a time of 27:18. Connellsville local Mark Stafford made good with a time of 27:52 to earn third place honors.

For the lady walkers it was another local in Jamie Brooks who took the win in 31:21 while finishing fifth overall. The next ladies to finish were Linda Rumbaugh (34:11) for second and Megan Regula (34:31) for third.

Mathew Shirocky always attacts a crowd

Waiting for the final finishers to complete the course at Highlands Hospital is always a crowd favorite. Mathew Shirocky has made it a habit off walking the Bud Murphy 5K. That is quite an accomplishment for someone who doctors thought may never walk again after injuries suffered in a car accident.

He's usually trailed closely by the ambulance that follows the last participants. But he's also always surrounded by friends and supporters who talk and laugh with him the whole way while being inspiried by Mr. Shirocky's efforts. And so it is that the final finishers cross the line as the crowd breaks out with the biggest applause of the evening.