16th Knights of Columbus 5K - Sunday, October 15, 2006

by Marty Mazur

It was a beautiful Fall day as a few more than 100 runners showed up for the 16th Annual Knights of Columbus 5K. This year, the course was redesigned to get the course off the streets and mostly onto bike paths, grass, and trails in the Greentree neighborhood of State College. Because of the variety of scenery and the surprises on the course, the race is now called the Knights of Columbus State College Adventure 5K. The Knights race is the Nittany Valley Running Club's official Beginners Race. Fifteen runners who had never before run a 5K or more tried their feet on  the course. There was also a fair sampling of State College's seasoned elite, fresh from competing in last week's Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Relay. And, as always, Tom Kleban was there to cheer the runners closing in on the finish line.

First Place overall went to Ian McLaren this year. Ian led from start to finish and toured the course in 16:56. Patrick Singletary, one of State College's top Masters runners, was second in 17:27, followed by the king of the Geezer (over 50) Category, Tom Cali, in 17:58. Among the women, Martha Nelson was first overall in 18:04. Former Penn State runner Meira Minard was second in 19:49, and Sarah Pabian was third in 20:37.

The NVRC has been bending over backwards to get beginners involved in running lately. The new Beginners Running Group (the Wahoo Group) under the direction of NVRC President Jerry Steffy, has been working hard and having a blast since May. Many in the group have progressed well beyond the beginner level. Some have already competed in and done well in 5Ks, and hence were not technically eligible for the "Beginner" (first time 5K) designation for this race.  Some of the other, less experienced beginners trained using the Couch-to-5K Training Program.

Despite the fact that the Knights Race no longer features Team or Family competitions, a number of families took part. The Mazzocchis. The Stressneys, the Spigelmeyers, Fedkins, Khristovs, and several others, all competed, with the youngsters in some families taking part in the Kids Races.

The Kids Races were fun to watch, as always. The half-mile was held first, and Ivan Pavlov led from start to finish. After the race, he ran alongside his sister Varya, who came in second in the quarter-mile. Natasha Fedkina ran a close second to Pavlov, this after running an excellent 5K race! And Mark Henry was third in the half. In the quarter, cuteness reigned over competition. In the quarter-mile, Mikey Challis came in first, followed by Varya Pavlova in second and Sam Horn in third.

While the runners waited for the awards ceremony, massage therapists Amber Kutz and Tracey Brauksick were on hand to give complementary massages.

Race director's Marty and Vicky Mazur would like to thank the many volunteers for all the race day help they received. The large number of volunteers helped everything go smoothly. Volunteers included Dave Eggler, Greg Fredericks, Mike Dooris, Loida Escote-Carlson, Jim Myers, Martha, Ava, and Davis Michael, Jerry Steffy, John and Pegeen Sheakoski, Amy Paster, Marv Hall, Kiet Bang, Kate Pezanowski, Marty Klanchar, Matt Newcomb, Lynn and Roxanne Jaffe, Dannielle Kroczynski and her daughter, and no doubt several others whose names I'm forgetting, but not their contributions.

Marty and Vicky are also grateful to their sponsors. With their help it was possible to raise nearly $1600 for the two beneficiaries of the race, the largest total since the Knights Race was revived in 2000. The Knights of Columbus generously allow the NVRC to host the race in their Hall, and top that off with a nice cash gift to help defray race expenses. Tom Cali is always generous with a cash gift. Nittany Bank provided some great giveaways and a cash gift. Weis Markets give store gift certificates which are used to provide refreshment to the runners. CCDA Water donated bottled water. Rapid Transit Sports provided race numbers and bags for the race packets. Rosewood Silkscreening always does a wonderful job picking out the colors for the race T-shirts, turn out a great product, and are always very helpful. Appalachian Outdoors sponsored the Kids Races and provided some nice prizes for the 5K. Thanks to Amber Kutz and Tracey Braouksick for giving massages to some sore runners. Numerous local businesses provided prizes: Rapid Transit Sports (Special thanks to Jay and Terry!), Mount Nittany Wheelworks, the Boal Mansion and Columbus Chapel, Nittany Bank, Webster's Books, Penn Skates, Northland Bowl, Home Delivery Pizza, and Olive Garden. Some runners even pitched in: the Rice family showed up with a nice Fall basket for a door prize.

Ian McLaren, First Finisher on the New Course
Martha Nelson, Female Course Record Holder

See how much fun volunteering can be? Greg Fredericks and Mike Dooris at the Finish
photos by Marv Hall


   5K Results

    #    Name                    Age   Sex   Time    
   ---   ---------------------   ---   ----  -----   
    1.   Ian McLaren              24    M    16:56
    2.   Patrick Singletary       41    M    17:27
    3.   Tom Cali                 51    M    17:58
    4.   Martha Nelson            25    F    18:04
    5.   Paul Wells               15    M    18:10
    6.   Judd Michael             44    M    18:15
    7.   Andrew Webb              42    M    18:27
    8.   Paul Crowe               14    M    19:09
    9.   Meira Minard             33    F    19:49
   10.   Rich Harter              50    M    19:53
   11.   Brian Russell            36    M    20:09
   12.   Danny Thorp              20    M    20:10
   13.   Tim Spgelmeyer           41    M    20:17
   14.   Earl Lake                52    M    20:22
   15.   Tim Stessney             37    M    20:25
   16.   Sarah Pabian             25    F    20:37
   17.   Chris Ruggiero           21    M    20:47
   18.   Joe Horn                 38    M    21:00
   19.   Bill Kampert             42    M    21:03
   20.   Reed Doerfler            15    M    21:04
   21.   Steve Geyer              35    M    21:06
   22.   Cheryl Capone            35    F    21:07
   23.   John Lacombe             46    M    21:28
   24.   Nikita Fedkin            13    M    21:43
   25.   Erin Wyble               26    F    21:46    
   26.   Michael Phillippe        36    M    21:51
   27.   James P. Quigel          51    M    22:03
   28.   Jonathan Thurley         34    M    22:07
   29.   David DeGroote           48    M    22:25
   30.   Richard Doerfler         46    M    22:31
   31.   Robin Riglin             38    F    22:38
   32.   Mike Ruggiero            25 +  M    22:39
   33.   Eric Stromer             40    M    22:40
   34.   Jerry Steffy             60    M    22:46
   35.   Greg Luna                41    M    22:49
   36.   Pamela Scott             44    F    22:54
   37.   Frank Zambito            33    M    23:01
   38.   Bill Dornan              54    M    23:14
   39.   Chase Davis              11    M    23:23
   40.   Rusko Ruskov             43    M    23:49
   41.   Vladimir Khristov        16 +  M    23:50
   42.   Danielle Gordanier       35    F    23:53
   43.   Natasha Fedkin            8    F    24:06
   44.   Steve Maczuga            46    M    24:12
   45.   Joe Bollinger            40    M    24:21
   46.   Barbara Kutis            24    F    24:22
   47.   George Myers             59    M    24:25
   48.   Dennis Wolfe             54    M    24:27
   49.   Jen Finkle               34    F    24:46
   50.   Kate Ryan                24    M    24:55
   51.   Meredith Barton          32    F    25:04
   52.   Todor Khristov           17 +  M    25:04
   53.   Katya Bazilevskaya       32    F    25:06
   54.   Miruna Sasuclark         24    F    25:16
   55.   Ben Carlsen              32 +  M    25:29
   56.   Lauren Spigelmeyer       16    F    25:43
   57.   Todd Litzinger           35    M    25:57
   58.   Deb Fisher               52    F    25:58
   59.   Dennis Shank             62    M    26:04
   60.   Andrew Walleck           24    M    26:05
   61.   Chris Schietle           25    M    26:08
   62.   Ray Mazzocchi            44    M    26:22
   63.   Anne Boal                37    F    26:51
   64.   Scott Allison            11    M    27:00
   65.   Glenn Wright             73    M    27:06
   66.   Beth Scott               41    F    27:10
   67.   Lisa Lacombe             45    F    27:13
   68.   Sarah Mazzocchi          18    F    27:34
   69.   Kim Daniels              27    F    27:43
   70.   Devin Stessney           12    F    27:46
   71.   Stefan Stessney          40    M    27:51
   72.   Max Mazzocchi            14    M    27:52
   73.   Bryan Henry              41 +  M    28:03
   74.   Josh Gross               32    M    28:06
   75.   Debra Thurley            33 +  F    28:17
   76.   Lisa Cone                28    F    28:26
   77.   Gideon Schwartz          26    M    28:30
   78.   Tim Jackson              41    M    28:31
   79.   Mary Righter             48    F    28:46
   80.   David Narehood           32    M    28:52
   81.   Lisa Mazzocchi           44    F    28:58
   82.   Jane Chandlee            26    F    30:15
   83.   Karyn Graf                6 +  F    30:18
   84.   Anita Woodman            44    F    30:24
   85.   Ken Miller               31 +  M    30:45
   86.   Deb Grove                53    F    31:14
   87.   Jessica Corace           21 +  F    31:15
   88.   Tiffany Frost            26 +  F    31:58
   89.   Cindy Bathurst           40    F    32:36
   90.   Joseph Haloua            32 +  M    33:24
   91.   Bruce Lindsay            39    M    33:27
   92.   Dana Zambito             28 +  F    33:50
   93.   Misty Frederick          46    F    33:55
   94.   Sue Green                47 +  F    34:25
   95.   Susan Seybert            39 +  F    34:51
   96.   Paul Mount               37    M    34:52
   97.   Judith Andronici         60    F    36:49
   98.   Kellie Rice              11 +  F    40:17
   99.   Christine Rice           33    F    40:18
  100.   Robert Rice              54    M    40:19
  101.   John Harrington          51    M    45:13
  102.   Bethany Doerfler         13    F    45:45
  103.   Jane Doerfler            43    F    45:51
  104.   Kathleen Stehonwer       51    F    49:41
  105.   Dawn Sanzotti            32    F    49:42
  106.   Julianne Sills           61    F    49:44

            + Beginner: 1st Race of 5K or More
          
          
                      Overall and Age Group Winners
                      -----------------------------
                    
                    Male                      Female
                    ----                      ------
                                      
  Overall
  -------
        1.       Ian McLaren                Martha Nelson
        2.       Patrick Singletary         Meira Minard
        3.       Tom Cali                   Sarah Pabian
   
  12 and Under
  ------------
        1.       Chase Davis                Natash Fedkin
        2.         --                       Allison Scott
        3.         --                       Devin Stessney
   
  13-16
  -----
        1.       Paul Wells                 Lauren Spigelmeyer
        2.       Paul Crowe                 Taryn Graf
        3.       Reed Doerfler                    --
   
  17-19
  -----                         
        1.       Todor Khristov +           Sarah Mazzocchi

  20-24
  -----
        1.       Danny Thorp                Barbara Kutis
        2.       Chris Ruggiero             Kate Ryan
        3.       Andrew Walleck             Miruna Sasuclark
 
  25-29
  -----
        1.       Mike Ruggiero +            Erin Wyble
        2.       Chris Schietle             Kim Daniels
        3.       Gideon Schwartz            Lisa Cone
   
  30-34
  -----
        1.       Jonathan Thurley           Jen Finkle
        2.       Ben Carlsen +              Meredith Barton
        3.       Josh Gross                 Debra Thurley +
  
  35-39
  -----
        1.       Brian Russel               Cheryl Capone
        2.       Tim Stressney              Robin Riglin
        3.       Joe Horn                   Danielle Gordanier
   
  40-44
  -----
        1.       Judd Michael               Pamella Scott
        2.       Andrew Webb                Beth Scott
        3.       Tim Spigelmeyer            Lisa Mazzocchi
  
  45-49
  -----
        1.       John Lacombe               Lisa Lacombe
        2.       Dave DeGroote              Mary Righter
        3.       Richard Doerfler           Misty Frederick
   
  50-54
  -----
        1.       Rich Harter                Deb Fisher
        2.       Carl Lake                  Deb Grove
        3.       James Quigel               Kathleen Stehonwer
   
  55-59
  -----       
        1.       George Myers                  --
        2.       Bruce Lindsay                 --

  60-64
  -----
        1.       Jerry Steffy               Judith Andronici
        2.       Dennis Shank               Julianne Sills
        
   
  65 and over
  -----------
        1.       Glenn Wright  (73)  
   
   Fastest Beginners
   -----------------
    Women:  Debra Thurley    28:17
    Men:    Mike Ruggiero    22:39

   Youngest Runner
   ---------------
    Karyn Graf (6) finished in 30:18!

 Kids Race Results

 Quarter-Mile - Ages 8 and under

    #    Name                    Age   Sex   Time      
   ---   ---------------------   ---   ----  -----   
    1.   Mikey Challis            6     M     1:45
    2.   Varya Pavlova            6     F     1:52
    3.   Sam Horn                 6     M     2:09
    4.   Riley Finkle             5     F     2:15
    5.   Amber Shirey             4     F     2:19
    6.   Jodie Challis            4     F     2:34
    7.   Leeum Noerr              4     M     2:55
    8.   Kate Horn                4     F     3:15
    9.   Catherine Jackson        3     F     3:29
   10.   Avery Finkle             3     M     3:30
   11.   Hannah Langelaan         4     F     4:24
   12.   Abbie Lovviscky          5     M     4:59


 Half-Mile - Ages 12 and under

    #    Name                    Age   Sex   Time
   ---   ---------------------   ---   ----  -----
    1.   Ivan Pavlov             12     M    3:07
    2.   Natasha Fedkina          8     F    3:15
    3.   Mark Henry               8     M    3:30
    4.   Brooke Shirey            9     F    3:43
    5.   Timofey Pavlov           8     M    4:07
    6.   Summer Shirey            7     F    4:27
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