3rd Annual Plain City Four Mile Run/Walk Doubles Growth
By Julie Weaver and Shannon Weigand
The Third Annual Plain City Four Mile Run/Walk on Saturday, September 26, 2009 brought in 128 registered runners/walkers for the four mile race and another 45 some hearty participants for the Kid’s Fun Run.
Co-sponsored by the Masonic Lodge of Plain City and the Uptown Plain City Organization (UPCO) this year’s Run/Walk more than doubled participation over last year despite threatening skies and drizzling rain. Mayor Sandra Adkins blew the ceremonial opening air horn at 8 a. m. to start the runners on their path through Pastime Park, down Chillicothe St, through the neighborhoods, along Main Street and back up Park Street to re-enter Pastime Park and cross the finish line.
First across the line was Craig Wolfe at 21 minutes and 56 seconds with Aaron Kramer and Scott Schwenter at 22:55 and 25:12. The top female runner, Krista Seibert, lowered the previous women’s record by an astonishing two minutes to 24:23 followed by Dawn Wallace at 26:43 and Megan Stillberger at 28:25. Average time for all runners and walkers was about 45 minutes.
While dodging raindrops, awards were presented at a ceremony after the race by organizers Ernie Shepherd of the Masonic Lodge and Shannon Weigand of UPCO. By catgory, the male winners were:
70 & Up: Mike Gallup
60-69: Doug Dittus
50-59: Gary Girten
40-49: David Hershberg
30-39: Andy Schimmoeller
20-29: Sean Martin
19 & Under: Cole Schroc
Top Male Walker: Brian Beach
And the female winners were:
70 & Up: Velma Sagraves
60-69: Beth Beach
50-59: Linda Reeder
40-49: Susan Lamson
30-39: Megan Nussbaum
20-29: Megan O’Neil
19 & Under: Krysten Dick
Top Female Walker: Dawn Boerger
At 9 a.m., the Kid’s Fun Run kicked off with a 440 yard sprint around the park track for the youngest of the group followed by a 1 mile race around the park for the older kids. Some of the children weren’t content with running in just one category and actually ran all three races, including the 4 miles! All of the 45
Proceeds from the event will benefit UPCO to make possible their work to preserve and revitalize the Uptown Plain City business district and to the Masonic Lodge of Plain City to facilitate their support of charitable efforts as they have since 1859.
For more results of the Run/Walk see columbusrunning.com/plaincity/plaincityr.htm.
