For the second week in a row, there was a record-breaking run in the
Bucks 5K Series. This time it was Laura Fanelli (Chalfont) who broke
the women's course record at the New Hope-Solebury "Spirit" Run on
April 1. It was no April Fool's joke that Laura cruised the 5K
course in 18:35. This was an amazing 41 seconds better than the
previous record.

Registration for the race was an all-time high and the perfect
running weather did not disappoint the large crowd. 34 runners
cracked the 20 minute mark, led by Kevin Cooke (Doylestown). Kevin
finished in 16:45, followed by Bobby Gomez (Perkasie) in 17:10. The
first place master's runner was Jim Barger (Bensalem). Jim's time
was 17:29.

Nicole Mehlman (Silverdale) was the second overall woman with a time
of 20:07. Janet Patterson (Morristown NJ) was right behind her in
20:15. Janet's time was the best of the women master's runners.

The Bucks 5K Series is unique in recognizing master's runners by also
awarding a first place prize to the highest age-graded master. Age
grading is a way to rate runners regardless of their age. It is
based on tables developed by gathering data on a world-wide basis.
It enables a 60 year athlete to have as even a chance of winning as a
40 year old.

At the New Hope Solebury race, Gert Freas (North Wales) had the
highest master's rating, 79.7%. For the men, Carl Goldschmidt scored
a 79.3%. For reference, 100% represents the world's record and 80%
is a national class runner.


The day's events included a one mile fun run, a two mile fitness
walk, and a high energy team competition. BOSS won the high school
division. This 11 person team was led by Bobby Gomez, Jim Myers, and
Frankie Wilson. RED FLASH won the coed adult division. This 5
person team included the first place man (Kevin Cooke), the first
place woman (Laura Fanelli), and the first place master runner (Jim
Barger). Last year's winner, Team Patterson finished a distant
second.

We always like to acknowledge the closest age group races. This week
it was male 40-44. Jim Barger, Rick McGarry (Doylestown), and
Antonio De Vido (Doylestown) finished in 17:29, 17:45, and 17:51,
respectively. All three were among the top 8 finishers in the race.
The top three in male 15-19 were among the top 7 finishers. Bobby
Gomez, Thomas Hedges (Lambertville NJ), and Jim Myers (Doylestown)
had times of 17:10, 17:15, and 17:50, respectively.

For the women, female 12-14 was the closest. Katie Kinkead
(Furlong), Riley Renn (Horsham), and Rebecca Hendricks (Stockton NJ)
were timed in 23:22, 23:50, and 24:23, respectively.

For the complete results, to learn about the next 5 races in the
Bucks 5K Series, or to register for a future race, logon to
www.bucks5kseries.com.


Dick Patterson