The Bucks 5K Series launched its 12th season on March 25th at the
Central Bucks Family YMCA. The YMCA 5K had been postponed from March
18th because of the ice storm in the Middle Atlantic region.

The cool day was a perfect one for racing, and the lead runners
didn't disappoint. Karl Dusen (New York City) smashed the course
record and ran the fastest time ever recorded in a Bucks 5K Series
race. His 14:51 masterpiece beat his previous course record by 19
seconds. Joe Weigner (Germantown, MD) finished second in 15:26.
This was the 3rd fastest time on the Y course.

For the women, Laura Fanelli (Chalfont) clocked an 18:18 finish.
This was only 7 seconds off the course record. Her time was the
fastest Series race for a woman since 2003. Laura was second overall
in the 2006 Series standings. Ann Leonard (Chalfont) was the second
woman, with a time of 18:46.

Karl Dusen is a CB East and Columbia University graduate now living
in New York City. His best time for the 5K is 14:02. He is
currently pointing to the Olympic Trials Marathon. Karl ran 2:20:35
in last year's Chicago Marathon to qualify.

Carl Goldschmidt (Doylestown) was the fastest masters runner at
17:45, while Lou Coppens (Warminster) had the highest age-graded
score (81.8%) for masters runners. Laura Holland (Upper Black Eddy)
finished in 21:47 and won the female masters honors. Linda Terry
(Chalfont) had the highest age-graded score (74.0%) among the female
masters.

The postponement didn't dampen the spirits of the Irish. A bagpiper
sent the 427 registered runners off at the start and welcomed them
across the finish line. Face painting and Blarney Stone painting
kept the younger children busy during registration and before the
awards ceremony. The day featured something for everyone – a one
mile fun run, a 2 mile fitness walk and a kid's scramble. Proceeds
from the race benefit the Y's financial assistance program – no one
is turned away from the Y.

There was outstanding competition in most of the age groups. A
highlight was the male 15-19 age group. 8 of the top 20 finishers
were from the teenage group, with times ranging from 17:24 to 19:20.
The first 3 were Bobby Gomez (Perkasie) in 17:24, Ryan Werner
(Doylestown) in 18:01 and Frankie Wilson (Sellersville) in 18:16.
These are the future stars.

The tightest women's race was the female 35-39 age group. Anabelle
Morales (Perkasie), Heidi Pernia (Quakertown), and Tammy Smith
(Dublin) finished 1-2-3, with times of 20:22, 20:53, and 21.21,
respectively.

The Series will continue on April Fools Day in New Hope. For more
information, and to register for the races, log on to
www.bucks5kseries.com. You can also see the complete Y race results
while you're there.

Dick Patterson
March 26, 2007