The floods of 2005 gave way to a picture perfect day for the New Hope-
Solebury "Spirit" 5K race on April 2. Nearly 600 people enjoyed the
day's events, including a record number of 461 runners who registered
for the 5k race. There was an event for every one, including a 1
mile run, a 2 mile health walk, and team competition in two different
categories. After the first two Series races, the number of 5K
runners is up by more than 20% from last year.



Meghan Lutz (Langhorne) was the first woman with a time of 20:06,
while Kyle Murray (Jamison) recorded his second Series win in a time
of 16:27.



As you may know, the local police changed the race route on race day
without notifying race officials. As a result, the certified 5K
course was 104.6 meters too long. Race officials measured this extra
distance using both a surveyor's wheel and a GPS system. The
conclusion: multiple your actual finishing time by 0.979 to obtain a
very accurate time for your 5000 meters race.



On this basis, Meghan's actual finishing time was 19:41 and Kyle's
was 16:10. All of the times discussed below have not been adjusted.



Tammy Smith (Dublin) was the second woman with a time of 20:58.
Janet Patterson (Morristown, NJ) was one second behind. Rick
Clendaniel (Warminster) was the second man in a time of 16:56,
followed by Joshua Izewski (Doylestown) in 17:02.



The results for the male age-graded masters were: Art Burger
(Doylestown) 78.9%, Mike Clarke (Doylestown) 78.7%, and Lou Coppens
(Warminster) 78.1%. For the women, it was Joan Kotz Kovar
(Doylestown) 78.7%, Linda Thurston (Doylestown) 76.2%, and Gina Buggy
(Chalfont) 74.2%.



Team Stout won the team competition in the high school division and
Team Patterson won the coed adult division.



The closest age groups were women's 12-14 and men's 50-54. Hannah
Lindgren (Doylestown – 23:24), Brittany Franks (Philadelphia –
24:34), and Laura Aseltine (Doylestown – 24:44) battled it out for
the honors in F12-14. Fred Gropper (Yardley – 20:02), David Willard
(Erwinna – 20:23), and Terry Greber (Chalfont – 20:24) did the same
in M50-54.



Complete results are posted on www.bucks5kseries.com.



One of the missions of the Bucks 5K Series is to raise money for
important local non-profit organizations. The first race benefits
the Central Bucks Family YMCA's financial assistance program – no one
is turned away from the Y. The second race benefits the New Hope-
Solebury Community Association's scholarship and athletic funds. We
are pleased to announce that the first two races have netted more
than $30,000 for these worthy causes. The Bucks 5K Series is
thankful for your continued support.



The third Series race will be staged on April 22nd at Doylestown
Hospital's Health and Wellness Center in Warrington. The 5K course
has just been certified by USATF, #PA06003LMB. The day's events
include a free pump and run competition, a one mile fun run, and a
two mile health walk. Registration begins at 7:45. It benefits the
Free Clinic of Doylestown.



For more information and to register, visit www.bucks5kseries.com



Dick Patterson