Former Philadelphia U running standout Shawn D’Andrea captured the finale of the May trail series on May 24 completing the hilly 4.3 mile course in 30:52. Shawn topped trail series strongman Jonathan Cornibe by 15 seconds.  Kristin Zielinski won the women’s division again in a time of 33:22 to finish first in all three trail series races she entered.

 

The trail series race, which was directed and designed by Louis Secreto, wraps up the most successful trail series since these races were introduced 10 years ago in 2003.

The overall crown for King of the Wissahickon went to Carl Leunig of the Manayunk Running Club in a photo finish over Jon Cornibe.  Carl earned 13 points (in the Wanderers scoring system) by  finishing first in two races, second in one.  Carl was unable to compete in the fourth race with a sprained ankle but still worked the finish line.  Jon scored 12 points having finished first in one race, second in  two races.  Unfortunately, in the one other race, Jon missed a turn and went off course and was not able to record a finish.

The Queen of the Wissahickon title went again to Kristin Zielinski of the Manayunk Running Club.

The races produced great turnouts, and we were really lucky with the weather.  Conditions were great for all four races.  The Wanderers would like to express a special thanks to the Manayunk Running Club and the West Philly Runners for participating in the series.  Race directors for the series were Chris Moore, Bob Reynolds, Doug Dubrosky and Louis Secreto all of whom did a great job.  Fast Cat Sports, namely Fred Kenney and Pat Barrett, took care of all the timing and were super.  Also a special thanks for New Balance Shoes and Nathan Performance products for sponsoring the series. We hope to see everyone in September for the fall spring trail series!!

Race #4 Results can be found here (PDF) »

Photos from Race #4 Thank you Clay !!

Trail Series Race #3 – Report, Results, Photos:

More than 40 runners survived a technical course and the ambushes of a handful of field zombies to finish the third race in the Wanderers’ May trail series.  The interesting course and perfect temperatures made for a great night of running.

Doug Dubrosky was at the controls for race number three, and his four mile course was more arduous than the earlier two iterations.  Four miles in length, the course included bushwacking across hilly terrain, a stream crossing and a little steeplechasing (there was one wall jump). The race also included a flag football type feature.  Runners could wear flags and would gain bonus time if they were able to reach the finish line without having their flags stripped by field zombies hidden in the woods.

Carl Leunig of the Manayunk Running Club and Jon Cornibe of the hosting Wanderers continued their duel across the hills of the Wissahickon in this third race of the trail series, but this time there was a surprise ending.  Jon had won the first race of the series with Carl finishing second, then they traded places in the second race.  The two of them once more vied for first place after pulling away from the field, but towards the end of the race, Carl had to drop back with leg problems.  Then with the finish line not far away, Jon missed a turn and went off course.  Carl ended up with the victory.

Manayunk Running Club member Kristin Zielinski further embellished her trail running resume with another first place finish in the women’s division and a fourth place overall.

Carl finished the race in 20:59,  42 seconds ahead of Paul Kerns.  Zielinski finished in 33:23.  The race was marked by another strong showing from the West Philadelphia Runners who traveled to the Wissahickon for the race.

The race was also honored by the presence of the New Balance demo vehicle which delivered prizes for the race.  New Balance and Nathan Performance products are sponsors of the trail series.

What was a lovely evening of running ended up, unfortunately, on a sour note.  Two runners had their vehicle broken into while it was parked along Wises Mill Road and their wallets and phones were stolen.  This is the first such incident during a trail race or run, but it is a reminder that runners need to be very careful with valuables especially when they are not parked in either of the lower lots.  The Wanderers apologize for this crime in our park.

The trail series wraps up on Thursday, May 24, with a course designed by Louis Secreto.  This will be Louis’s swan song as he and Linn Watson are moving very shortly to Sonoma County in California.  Louis has promised to provide a course we will remember him by.  Although the course has not been laid yet, Louis said it should be long, about five miles, and tough.  Be prepared!!!

Race #3 results were posted here (PDF) UPDATED 5/19 »

Race #3 FLAG-ADJUSTED results posted here (PDF) »

Race #3 Photos THANKS CLAY !!!

Trail Series Race #2 – Report, Results, Photos:

There were lots of winners at the second race of the May trail series in the Wissahickon on May 10. Carl Leunig of the Manayunk Running Club won the men’s division  in a time of 16:29 over the 2.5 mile course, and Mary Waechter was the top women’s finisher in 19:43.  But because the race was a prediction race, Daniel Halstead and Heejn Sohn were also winners. Daniel and Heejn finished 8.6 and 34.2 seconds off their predicted times.

The course was laid out by the Trail Master Bob Reynolds and was a lovely ramble through the trails above the Valley Green Inn on the Roxborough side of the Wissahickon.  With cool but clear weather, the race was again held under ideal running conditions.  There was a great turnout of runners with many competitors coming from quite far away including a strong and enthusiastic contingent from the West Philly Runners, westphillyrunners.com

In the actual finish, Carl Leunig traded places with Jon Cornibe from their performance the week before. In that race Jon placed first defeating Carl by 28 seconds.  On May 10, Carl returned the favor by defeating Jon by 20 seconds.

The race was sponsored by Nathan Performance products and New Balance Shoes with the support of the Bryn Mawr Running Company store in Manayunk.  Nathan and New Balance supplied prizes for the various winners. Fast Cat Sports operated the timing and compiled the results.

Resuts for Race #2

 

Photos for Race #2 (Thanks Clay!)

Trail Series Race #1 – Report, Results, Photos:

The 2012 May Trail Series kicked off under almost perfect conditions on May 3. Jonathan Comibe, in his last tune-up  before the Pittsburg Marathon this weekend, did not hold back and  defeated a field of 23 runners.  Kristin Zielinski started where she finished off last year by being the first woman across the finish line.  Kristin was last year’s women’s trail champ.

NEXT RACE: Thursday May 10 will be a “PREDICTION RUN” Details »

Race director Chris Moore designed a short but arduous 2.75 mile course up to the Indian Statue and back.  The hilly course had most runners huffing and puffing by the end.

Jonathan ran the course in 23 minutes and 16 seconds followed by Carl Leunig of the Manayunk Running Club in 23 minutes and 42 seconds.  Kristin was timed in 28 minutes and 10 seconds.  The second woman was Polly Jansen 32:05.

Fred Kenney performed a rare double of both timing the racing and running in it as well.  Fred, a principal in Fast Cats race management, timed himself in 29:23.

Race sponsors Nathan performance gear and New Balance shoes supplied awards for the races.  Jonathan and Kristin won water belts from Nathan, and crying towels from New Balance were awarded to runners who answered correctly question in a Wissahickon knowledge quiz prepared by Chris Moore.

Weather was in the low 60’s with hazy clouds, perfect for running.  The trail series continues next Thursday with a prediction run directed by the Trail Master Bob Reynolds and Dan Gordon.  The races are open to everyone at no charge

Results for Race #1

Please click here for the results (PDF)

Photos for Race #1 (thank you Clay !)