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Conestoga Trail Run presented imposing challenge
BY BARRY DECKER, Correspondent
Over 130 runners explored Mother Nature's fall beauty along the Susquehanna
River on Sunday, but not all had the chance to observe it during the 15th annual
Conestoga Trail Run.

The athletes spent their time avoiding poison ivy, burn hazel, sharp rocks and
low hanging branches while they made their way along what most described as the
"toughest" 10-mile race in the East.

According to last year's winner and this year's second -place finisher, Evan
Sandt, 37, of Conestoga, "falling on this course is a right of passage,
everybody does it."

Runners begin at the Pequea Campground, proceed past Wind Cave and climb up
hills that would make a mountain goat groan.

At the seven-mile point, they get a scenic view of the Susquehanna from Holtwood
Pinnacle.

But many can't enjoy it, because the pain in the legs and lungs attract most of
their attention.

"The main attraction for the runners is the challenge of the course with its
panoramic beauty and big hills," said race director Bill Smith, who commended
the Lancaster Roadrunners Club for their help.

There are seven runners who love the course so much that they have competed in
all 15 editions of the race.

And this year, they again crossed the line with a smile of satisfaction on their
faces.

They are Dean Brubaker, Frank McCardell and Michael Suydam all of Lancaster
County; Jim Cramer and Bob Long of Lebanon County, Andy Keegan, of Berks
County; and Robert Huey of Bucks County.

This year runners from nine states from Maine to Texas joined the adventure.

The race for the top male spot was fought among four veterans who either won the
event or who finished well in the past.

This year's Master's winner, Ian Schouten, 42, of Lititz, finished fourth
overall. He has a handful of victories in this race to his credit.

"Today was a perfect day for the race with dry trails and blue skies. And the
competition was great," Schouten said.

Schouten added that he tried to stay with the top runner, but fell off the pace
after a few miles.

"I run a steady pace now," Schouten said, a three-time champ. "But if I were
younger, I would try to get in front far enough to get out of sight of the
runners behind me. If they can't see you, they can't reel you in.

Alex Barth, 35, who was third last year, returned to capture the title this year
running the race in 1:36:18.

He said, "Ian (Schouten) set the pace at the beginning and I was content to stay
with him, Evan (Sandt) and Tadd (Morris)."

After a wrong turn at the Holtwood Pinnacle, Barth, who had broken away from the
group, was caught by Sandt.

But Sandt, also took a wrong turn and took a fall which put him 32 seconds back
at the finish (1:36:50).

Third-place finisher, Morris, of Camp Hill, (1:38:27) said that he was a good
technical downhill runner, but "they (top two finishers) got me on the uphills."

On the women's side, Tracy Schrage, 38, of Richmond, (2:02:15) pulled down the
victory.

A firefighter, Schrage said, "I didn't know how my back would be, which I
injured on the job. But it seemed pretty good throughout the race."

She added that this was the "toughest 10-miler" she had ever run.

Amy Roberts, 31, of York (2:10:03) finished second and Diana Widdowson, 41, of
Conestoga (2:10:33), finished in the third spot.

Most of the CTR participants don't compete against the other runners, but
against themselves.

Jose Santiago, 50, of Lancaster, noted that his one goal was to finish, and he
was nervous about that.

Greg Lavell, 35, of Millersville, said, "I feel like, if I can do this trail
run, I can do anything."

And both Santiago and Lavell made it to the finish line.



This article, along with 6 photos was in Wednesday morning and evening Lancaster
newspapers. Hope that most of you saw it.


Thank You,
The LancasterOnline.com Team

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