15th Annual Crack O' Dawn 5K
- Details
- Last Updated: 25 June 2018 25 June 2018
June 16, 2018
Boalsburg, PA
by Mike Casper
Cooler temps reigned on Academy Street for the 8 a.m. start of this classic race.
This year’s event saw runners from age 5 to 88 toe the line for the early morning tour of the Village of Boalsburg.
Alan Effrig held off Hiro Homada (aka Matt Smith) by 4 seconds for the men’s win, with Matthew Shupenko taking third.
The women’s race also had a close finish, with Amy O’Donnell crossing the line first, edging out Susana Quiros by just 4 seconds and Emily Southmayd by 5 seconds as they claimed second and third, respectively.
Three master’s runners, one of them over 50, finished in the top ten.
In the uppermost age category represented, Carl Miller, 82, was banking on Arnold Gasche, 88, easing up in the final strides to overtake him, but it was not to happen.
Several runners improved their times from last year, including Matt Shupenko, Rich Rickley, Arnold Gasche, and Lisa Reyes.
The post-race breakfast of piping hot hotcakes served up by veteran chefs Lance Bland and David Beyerle was well received by the hungry crowd. Numerous drawing prizes were handed out, donated by area businesses, including many shops located near the race course in Boalsburg: A Basket Full, Bella di Vita, De-Stress Station, Elaine’s on Main, Mount Nittany Winery, Riley on Main, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, TriYoga and Kerri Zelman. Additional donors included Rapid Transit Sportswear, Appalachian Outdoors, Wegmans, Giant Foods, Weis Markets, Rita’s, Happy Valley Refreshments, and the Lions Community Hall.
Many thanks to Judd and Davis Michael, Ann Van Kuren and Evan Casper for assistance with hall setup and packet prep. Thanks to Susan Beyerle for race day registration and breakfast assistance, to Adam Ilgen for serving the runners at the water station, and to many runners for the after-event cleanup. A big thank-you to Marcy Milhomme for breakfast assistance and finish line photos. Additional thanks to Davis Michael for dedicated finish line assistance.
Proceeds support the professional performances and original educational programs of VanDance, the local modern dance company. This weekend: VanDance will be presenting several performances as part of the inaugural Central PA Theatre & Dance Fest, Friday through Sunday, June 22-24. The following link has the daily schedule plus the "2018 Schedule” drop down has event descriptions, workshop descriptions, and other events: https://centralpatheatre.com/2018-schedule/
You can visit VanDance’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=vandance%20inc and reach out via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to find out about upcoming community workshops, classes and performances. Donations can be sent to: VanDance Inc., 103 E. Hamilton Ave., State College, PA 16801.
See you all next year!
Alan Effrig outpaced Matt Smith to take the win.
Amy O’Donnell pushed to the finish to win the women’s race.
Matt Smith gave his all to the final stride.
Matthew Shupenko finished strong to claim third place.
Overall Order of Finish
Place First Last Age Sex Town State Time
----- ----- ---- --- --- ---- ----- ----
1 Alan Effrig 39 M State College PA 20:20
2 Matt Smith 52 M State College PA 20:24
3 Matthew Shupenko 39 M Port Matilda PA 22:06
4 Adam Abruzzini 31 M Bellefonte PA 22:13
5 Amy O'Donnell 33 F Ebensburg PA 23:26
6 Susana Quiros 35 F State College PA 23:30
7 Emily Southmayd 25 F State College PA 23:31
8 Steve Baird 40 M State College PA 24:58
9 Rich Rickley 47 M Lemont PA 25:41
10 Lui Carvion 11 F State College PA 26:06
11 Amy Rumbel 44 F State College PA 26:18
12 Ben Garland 21 M State College PA 27:29
13 Evan Casper 12 M State College PA 27:35
14 Arielle Sargent 28 F State College PA 28:22
15 Kathleen Shupenko 35 F Port Matilda PA 28:54
16 Casey Marfitt 22 F PA Furnace PA 28:59
17 Rebecca Pugliese 33 F State College PA 29:41
18 John Hook 58 M State College PA 29:50
19 Greg Hubler 53 M Morrisdale PA 30:09
20 David Lloyd 48 M State College PA 30:11
21 Corey Marfitt 20 F PA Furnace PA 30:42
22 John Johnson 64 M State College PA 31:15
23 Alexis Ropelewski 15 F Zelienople PA 32:00
24 Wendy Abruzzini 37 F Bellefonte PA 33:23
25 Dana Wilcox 34 F State College PA 33:44
26 Debra Saylor 36 F Bellefonte PA 33:44
27 Jeannie Moriarta 49 F State College PA 34:04
28 Jessica Hook 23 F State College PA 35:35
29 Clarisa Brindley 44 F Philipsburg PA 36:41
30 Sandra Del Pilar 45 F State College PA 37:46
31 Carolina Pulidu 45 F State College PA 37:46
32 Colleen Rogers 29 F Howard PA 38:25
33 Shelley Strouse 40 F Howard PA 38:27
34 Arnold Gasche 88 M State College PA 40:12
35 Brittany Archer 32 F Brisbin PA 40:21
36 Carl Miller 82 M Bellefonte PA 40:24
37 Linda Brown 65 F Julian PA 41:05
38 Lisa Reyes 47 F State College PA 41:58
39 Emily Davis* 5 F Port Matilda PA 48:10
40 Tammy Ropelewski 46 F Coalport PA 52:58
*unofficial time - partial course
