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Area running

October 26, 2009

Mixed feelings over Trail win

ROBERT MINER For The Times Leader

KINGSTON TWP. – Tony Korch and Ellen Krantz-Buskovitz ran to victories in the Wyoming Valley Striders’ 22nd annual Fall Trail Run on Sunday afternoon at Frances Slocum State Park.

Korch, 49, of Nanticoke, finished the 5.5 miler in 38 minutes and 11 seconds. It was the second consecutive victory in the fall race for Korch. He also has won the spring version of the race – a slightly shorter course -- once.

But Korch had mixed feelings about his win on Sunday.

That’s because Mike McDade, a 19-year-old from Wilkes-Barre, finished ahead of Korch, but had to be given a second-place finish with an adjusted time (38:15) after making a wrong turn late in the race, resulting in a slight shortcut to the finish.

McDade ran right on Korch’s heels early in the race and took over the lead going up the first hill.

‘’After passing me on the hill, (McDade) led the rest of the way,” said Korch. ‘’I kept him in my sight until he made the wrong turn. Truth is: If he stayed on the course, he probably would have beaten me.”

Korch had nothing but praise for McDade, who is a sophomore at Bloomsburg University and a former hurdler on the Meyers High School track and field team.

‘’He’s a good, young runner,” said Korch.

Sunday’s race was McDade’s first in a Striders trail run, and he said that he enjoyed the experience.

‘’It was a really nice race,” he said. ‘’It was a lot of fun.”

Krantz-Buskovitz, 36, of Mayfield, didn’t know what to expect going into the race. She ran in the Steamtown Marathon two weeks ago and took a break from running after tackling the 26.2-mile course.

But she won the female division easily, placing 13th overall in 44:06. Her closest opponent in the female division, Sue Blackwell, 32, of Wellsboro, finished 7:09 behind.

‘’I was hurting after Steamtown,” Krantz-Buskovitz said. ‘’So I took 10 days off from running. I’ve only run about four short runs before running here today. But it went well. I was actually surprised.”

Krantz-Buskovitz qualified for the Boston Marathon with her 3 hour, 21- minute performance at Steamtown. She already has registered for Boston.

Wyoming Valley Striders’ 22nd annual (5.5-mile) Fall Trail Run results

1 Tony Korch, 49, Nanticoke, 38:11

2 Mike McDade, 19, Wilkes-Barre, 38:15

3 Brian Thomas, 39, Tunkhannock, 40:00

4 Jimmy Deom, 23, Wilkes-Barre, 40:27

5 Reginald Thomas, 55, Bear Creek Twp., 41:06

6 Joe Kichilinsky, 47, Wyoming, 42:01

7 Jeff Austin, 13, Pringle, 42:28

8 Bennett Williams, 13, Kingston, 42:29

9 Rich Chase, 63, Larksville, 42:52

10 Con McCole, 51, Wilkes-Barre, 43:20

11 Robert Grunski Jr., 29, Scranton, 43:52

12 Thomas Duffy, 33, Hunlock Creek, 44:04

13 Ellen Krantz-Buskovitz, 36, Mayfield, 44:06

14 Bill Lawrence, 50, Scranton, 45:17

15 Marty Nat, 24, Swoyersville, 45:44

16 Joe Dowd, 33, Duryea, 46:04

17 Chris Montagna, 55, Pittston, 46:40

18 Joe Stanitis, 53, Plymouth, 46:53

19 Elijah Sumpter, 17, Blossburg, 48:26

20 Tom Walski, 58, Nanticoke, 48:31

21 Bob Warnagiris, 50, Hunlock Creek, 49:01

22 Tom Buda, 40, Wyoming, 50:45

23 Sue Blackwell, 32, Wellsboro, 51:1524 Aaron Surridge, 37, Taylor, 51:34

25 Jacob Croushore, 16, Blossburg, 51:36

26 Louis Hughes, 51, Forty Fort, 51:56

27 Leo Turissini, 57, Scott Twp., 52:11

28 Robert Grunski Sr. 59, Moosic, 54:37

29 Mike Stevenson, 17, Blossburg, 55:22

30 Chris Belleman, 55, Kingston, 55:40

31 Josh Longenberger, 16, Blossburg, 56:07

32 Christine Davidson, 30, North Wales, 56:53

33 Rachel Agzigian, 25, Boonton, N.J., 56:54

34 Jessica Jones, 29, W. Pittston, 57:13

35 Mike Montagna, 51, Yatesville, 57:38

36 Ron Ruda, 54, Dallas, 57:44

37 Nick Williams, 21, Wilkes-Barre, 58:27

38 Paul Karmilowicz, 21, Wilkes-Barre, 58:28

39 Dan Bachak, 54, Mayfield, 58:53

40 Dan Bantell, 29, Clarks Summit, 60:17

41 Phil Connor, 40, Clarks Summit, 60:46

42 Ernie Morgan, 55, Shickshinny, 61:39

43 Damian Lendacky, 37, Wilkes-Barre, 64:03

44 Tom Berezich, 67, Trucksville, 75:49

Field: 49 registered. Starters: 45 (40 men, five women, four no-shows). Finishers: 44, one DNF. The top 10 male finishers and the top three female finishers received awards. Official starter: Vince A. Wojnar. Timing: Vince P. Wojnar. Results: Wyoming Valley Striders. Race director: Jim Jackiewicz (Striders president).

Schedule

Sunday, Nov 1: Jewish Community Center of Wyoming Valley’s 2009 Benjamin August Memorial 3-Mile Run/Walk at 10:30 a.m. at the JCC, South River Street, Wilkes-Barre. Info: Bill Buzza, 824-4646.

Thursday, Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving): Berwick Marathon Association’s 100th running of the (9-mile) Run for the Diamonds at 10:30 a.m. at Market and Second streets, Berwick. Info: Margaret Livsey, 759-1300.

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