On October 17, 81 runners from across Northeastern United States lined up at West Creek Recreational Trail in Emporium, Cameron County for a chilly start to the Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run. 

The temperature was 25 degrees, but that did not deter participants in either the 12k, 25k or 50k.

Organizers say due to COVID-19 restrictions they turned away 5 participants after the registration deadline of Friday.  Four registered for the 50k and 2 for the 12k did not start.  Many competitors were repeats trying to beat their earlier time. 

Cameron County School District teacher Heather Bauer was one of them shaving nearly 30 minutes off her 25k time. 

Another woman who previously held the 50k record broke her own record.  41 year old Jessica Weinman from Olean NY shaved that record by 17 minutes.  Jessica finished at 6:12:58.  

The age of the competitors ranged from 9 to 70+ in the 12k.  Several family groups participated in 25k which saw fathers racing to the finish line against sons. 

The final participant in the 50k crossed the finish line in 9 hours 42 minutes.

First place in the 50k men division was 35 year old William Huber from Zelienople, PA with a time of 5:27:35. 

First place in the 25k mens division was 20 year old David Stoltzfus from Montgomery PA with a time of 2:17:35. 

First place in the women 25k was 43 year old Heidi Strauss from Buffalo NY with a time of 2:49:16. 

First place in the mens 12k was 21 year old Jared Braun from St Marys PA with a time of 1:03:35. 

First place in the women 12k was 24 year old Caroline McKenna from Pittsburgh PA  with a time of 1:20:36.

Finishers were treated to a ham steak bake from the Knights of Columbus and could stretch inside at the Allegany Mountain Chapter of Nam Knights. 

The event held on Elk State Forest land, private land and West Creek Recreational Trail has been granted a 5 year extension by DCNR.  Organizers say it will be held the third Saturday of October each year.

For more information on this and other activities in the County, visit the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce website.

Visit the Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA website for more information on outdoor recreational opportunities in Pennsylvania.  And don’t forget to consult the latest DCNR Fall Foliage Reports for Fall travel information.

(Photo: Cameron County School District teacher Heather Bauer.)

NewsClips:

Frank Kummer: Visits To PA’s State Parks Increased By 7 Million, Here Are Top Spots

Op-Ed: PA Lawmakers Must Increase Budgets For Trails As More People Head Outdoors Amid Pandemic

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[Posted: October 19, 2020]

10/26/2020