WETZEL, SIMONETTI WIN FIRST PANERA BREAD BUCKS 5K SERIES RACE.
March 24, 2009

Greg Wetzel and Sarah Simonetti were the winners of the Central Bucks Family
YMCA 5K, the first race of the Panera Bread Bucks 5K Series. The race, in
Doylestown on March 22nd, was held in nearly perfect conditions. It attracted a
record number of runners – 670 for the 5K and 91 for the 1 mile Fun Run.

Wetzel led the whole way and was never pushed. He crossed the finish line in
15:59, 3 seconds faster than his winning time at last year's YMCA 5K.
Simonetti, last year's Series women's champion, turned in a time of 20:10.

Tammy Smith (20:32) and Christine Louden (20:49) were 2nd and 3rd to Simonetti.
Dan Day (16:31) and Bob Pultorak (16:47) trailed Wetzel. In all, thirty-two
runners cracked the 20 minute barrier.

Nancy Smith won the Masters Female Age Graded division with a rating of 77% and
a time of 22:32. She was followed by Ruth King (76.4%, 24:36) and Lynda Terry
(76%, 24:24). For the Male Age Graded Masters, Carl Goldschmidt had a rating of
80.8% and a time of 17:49. Johnny King-Marino (79.6%, 18:14) and Paul Walsh
(78.7%, 17:53) were right behind.

The closest age group races were male 50-54 and female 25-29. Only 36 seconds
separated David Noa (19:16), Tom Rudan (19:35) and Sam Losorelli (19:52). For
the 25-29 group of women, Kim Chesnut (21.35), Tracey Sawyer (21:37), and Jody
Frank (22:06) finished 1-2-3.

Complete results are posted on www.bucks5kseries.com.

The next Series race is the New Hope-Solebury Spirit Run on Sunday, April 5th.
The course has been changed to provide a fast finish on the high school track.
Only the start has been modified, so it still includes a tour of downtown New
Hope. There will be music and a raffle, including an IPhone and a bike. The
race benefits the NHS Community Association Scholarship and Athletic Funds. You
can save $5 by registering for the before March 29th.

If you registered for all seven races, you can pick up your Series shirt at the
New Hope-Solebury race. If you ran the Y race, remember to wear the bib from
that race. You'll be able to breeze through registration.

Please note that the May 13th (evening) run has a changed venue. It will still
be run in Doylestown, but the start and finish will be at the Freight House
Restaurant.

For more information and to register for the races, go to www.bucks5kseries.com

Dick Patterson