March 13, 2005

Karl Dusen launched the 10th Anniversary of the Bucks 5K Series by
crushing the course record on Sunday. Dusen, 22, of Doylestown, ran
the Central Bucks Family YMCA 5K course in a time of 15:10. This was
44 seconds better than the previous record of 15:54 held by Todd
Wiley and Chuck Crabb.

More than 380 registered runners ran the first race of the Bucks 5K
Series and enjoyed the beautiful, clear, cool day. The YMCA's
Financial Assistance Program was the beneficiary of the race
proceeds. The runners and their families enjoyed typical St.
Patrick's Day festivities, including a bag piper, face and Blarney
Stone painting, as well as food and raffles for many gifts, including
a mountain bike.

With nearly perfect conditions, the runners turned in outstanding
results. Forty runners beat the 20 minute mark. The women's overall
winner was Heather Houseknecht, 29, of Furlong. Her time was 19:26.

This year, for the first time, Series races is recognizing the top
age-graded, over 40s runners. The womens Master's winner, Nancy
Smith, 47, New Britain, ran 20:15, and had an age graded rating of
79.2 %. Terry Permar, 50, Perkasie, won the men's Master's contest
with a rating of 84.8% and a time of 17:09. For reference, a rating
of 90% is world class, 80% is national Class, and 70% is regional
class.

Other outstanding male age group winners were Kevin Cooke, 36, of
Doylestown, with a time of 16:53 (77.7%); Glenn McIsauc, 45, of
Princeton NJ, with a time of 16:41 (83.8%); Greg Wommer, 15, of
Philadelphia, with a time of 18:08 (75%); Art Burger, 61, of
Doylestown, with a time of 19:21 (82.6%); and Warren Taylor, 65, of
Telford, with a time of 21.32 (77.3%).

For the women, Hannah Lindgren, 11, of Doylestown, ran 22:59 (70.6%);
Jennifer Reid, 24, of Emmaus, ran 19:57 (72.2%); Deena Andrus, 40, of
Reading, ran 21:25 (70.6%); Marie Dean, 57, of Doylestown, ran 24:26
(72.3%); and Linda Thurston, 63, of Doylestown, ran 26:44 (70.6%).
The closest age group was the 45-49 women's: Gert Freas (21:23,
73.7%) of North Wales and Gina Buggy (21:26, 73.5%) of Chalfont
finished within 1:11 minutes of Nancy Smith.


The next Series race is the New Hope-Solebury "Spirit Run" on April
3rd. The race starts at the High School in New Hope and finishes on
their new all weather track. It features a nice running tour of
downtown New Hope. There will also be team competition. For more
information and on-line registration, please visit
www.bucks5kseries.com.

Dick Patterson
President
Bucks 5k Series