Friday, June 28, 2002 -- Latrobe, PA
Rolling Rock 5M Run (iPO Event Id#: 4912)
Story and photos by Ariana Kincaid

[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] Past Event Coverage: [2000] [2001]

Did you make it to the Party?

The 11th Annual Rock-n-Run 5 Miler in Latrobe, PA, sponsored by your favorite brewery, Latrobe Brewery, makers of that wonderful ambrosia we mortals call Rolling Rock, drew over 1,000 people (over 700 of whom were runners!) to Legion Keener Park. The giant Rolling Rock bottle looked over the goings-on of the festival-like atmosphere, where nearly 80 volunteers kept things running smoothly. Thunderstorms had pushed through the area earlier in the day, so by the time the race startrolled around, the air was just slightly humid, and the temperature was good for a 5 mile looping course through lovely Latrobe.

With a firetruck escort, and a crowd cheering him on the last tenth of a mile, Andrew Herr of Latrobe was the first person to cross the finish line, with a time of 24:34. The Saint Vincent College Professor expressed his gratitude to Mother Nature, the organizers and the volunteers along the way: "The weather was beautiful today, the crowds were great. It was a very well run race, a lot of fun!" A full Saint Vincent contingent was at the race in addition to Professor Herr, several students from Saint Vincent also ran, while a few more supported their efforts with loud cheers and a big banner.

Off and running the streets of Latrobe

Following behind the good professor was Michael Scaffardi, 25, of Latrobe, with a time of 24:56, and in third place was twenty-two year old Danny Princk of Carrollton, Ohio, with a time of 25:02. Also receiving trophies were fourth place finisher Tim Schuler, 39, of Chambersburg, with a time of 25:53, and in fifth, Jeremy Snodgrass, 19, of North Huntingdon with a time of 26:08.

The first female finisher was a repeat winner Lisa Veneziano of Dublin, Ohio, with a time of 29:50. Traveling from just outside Columbus, Ohio to Ocean City, Maryland for vacation, she and her family have made a habit of stopping over in Latrobe to run the Rolling Rock 5-Miler. Of the course, Lisa said, "It was hilly! But it's a great course. I've run the race three or four times in the past. It's just great."

And the fans came out to cheer

Gina McGee of Latrobe finished with a time of 30:50 to take second place female honors, and she was followed by Carolyn Moffit, of Hudson, Ohio, with a time of 33:40. Hot on her heels for fourth place came Maria Gomez, 24, with a time of 33:43. And Jessica Rafferty of Latrobe rounded out the top five with a time of 33:54.

The crowd was an integral part of this race. Well before the runners could see the finish line, the crowds were cheering for them. For those of us near the finish line, it was great to hear the crowds cheering for every runner as if each spectator knew each runner personally. What a way to herald an arrival! What a lift to the spirit!

Special thanks to Annette Couch of the Latrobe Brewery, Butchko Finish Line Services, Mountain View Inn for one kickin' post-race party, and all the volunteers both official and unofficial in the City of Latrobe.