Sunday, May 27, 2001 -- Point Marion, PA
Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K (MAGP #2) (iPO Event Id#: 3174)
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]
[2000 Event Coverage]

Racing into the evening sun in Pt. Marion

The weekend thunderstorms were nowhere to be seen in Point Marion, PA, on Saturday evening. That was great news for the many runners and walkers that came out for the annual Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K, the second event in this year's 10-race Morgantown Area Grand Prix (MAGP) series.

With the late day sun shining down on a 6:30pm start, a great crowd was ready for an out-and-back assault on the Monongahela River. (However, the "back" doesn't exactly take you back to where you started... but close enough.) The course begins at Point Marion Community Park amidst all the hoopla that is the annual Albert Gallatin Regatta. From there you head into town and cross the Monongahela for a run along the opposite river bank before turning around and heading back to town for the finish.

Time for the big kick down the finishing stretch

The "fairly" flat and scenic course seemed to attract a large contingent of local young talent and high school runners. (Eight out of the top nine finishers would find themselves in the male 15-19 age bracket.) The lone standout in this crowd was the 40-something Ed Frohnapfel who led the race most of the way. After over two miles of racing Grafton's Scott Gemberling pulled up to Frohnapfel. Gemberling didn't stop there as he continued on past for a first place finish at 16:36.

Frohnapfel held his ground for second overall at 16:49 followed by Clarksburg's Kenny Beerbower at 17:05. Morgantown's Steven Hiser sorted it out for the rest of the 15-19's finishing fourth overall and first in the class at 17:31.

The women's field saw the return of Morgantown's Stephanie Meleady and Farmington's Susan Lobos. These two took first and second in the previous year's race with times of 19:37 and 20:02, respectively.

Whatever your 5K goal, a great evening to get outside

Lobos took up the lead spot early and went on to match Meleady's previous winning time with her own 19:37. Meleadey chased the whole race but was ready at the finish with a strong kick. It was enough to take the win again in 2001 with a time of 19:30.

For those participating in the walk, Millsboro's Thomas Starkey was able to stride the 3.1 miles in 29:22 to take the overall title. For the women, finishing third overall, Frederickstown's Kathy Peas set the pace with a 32:36.

There were plenty more strong and determined finishers, as well as those who enjoyed the evening out for a run or walk oblivious to any competition. With plenty of food, random prizes, and awards thrown in, everyone certainly went home ready for more.