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Runners start on their way in the fourth annual Arc of Schuyler Grand Prix Run at WGI.

WGI hosts the 4th annual
Arc Grand Prix Run/Walk

WATKINS GLEN, April 8, 2017 -- Hundreds of runners and walkers were on hand under sunny skies and freezing temperatures Saturday morning for the fourth annual Arc of Schuyler Grand Prix Run/Walk on the Watkins Glen International race track.

The event -- with the facilities provided free of charge by WGI -- raises funds for The Arc, a not-for-profit organization providing support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. In its first three years, the race raised an annual average of $10,000. A total of 675 runners were registered before Saturday's race.

Groups (one totaled 38 runners), individuals, friends and and parents with youngsters were among the throng of racers and walkers. The event covered the 3.4-mile long track -- including WGI's "boot" section -- with participants going in the opposite direction from that normally used by cars at the track's race events.

The temperature reading was about 30 degrees at race time.

The Arc run/walk was part of WGI's season-opening day -- which later included admitting vehicles to the track at $25 apiece for three pace laps. Cars were gathering at the facility's entrance as the Grand Prix Run was wrapping up its festivities, which included the presentation of awards. An After Party was planned at the Grist Iron Brewing Company in the afternoon.

The overall winner of Saturday's race was Timothy Stahlnecker of Waterloo, who successfully defended his 2016 title. He finished in 17:19, almost two minutes faster than his time last year of 19:12.

The top female finisher Saturday was Ashley Dobson of Big Flats, who finished in a time of 19:14. She was not in last year's race, which was won by Sarah Paulson of Cayuta in 22:54.

After the National Anthem was sung by Sarah Schlueter-Eisman of Montour Falls and welcoming remarks were issued by Arc of Schuyler Executive Director Jeannette Frank, the runners took off, with Stahlnecker setting the early pace and pulling away as the race progressed. John Copp, 36 of Minoa, NY was second in 18:18.

Many walkers participated, some finishing in about an hour. Then came free refreshments, and the presentation of awards. Not as many runners stayed afterward as in previous years since a cold wind was whipping up the hill, chasing some of the participants to the warmth of their cars.

The event was timed by Auyertiming, which provided the entire list of official finishers and their times and hometowns. To reach it, click here.

Medals went to the top three finishers in various age categories. The winner of each category was as follows:

Female 8 and Under: Madison Tuttle, 8, of Watkins Glen (32:16)
Female 9-12: Charlotte Lawrence 10, of Painted Post (30:41)
Female 16-19: Sona Dobroxlova, 18, of Penn Yan (22:56)
Female 20-24: Allison Vargeson, 23, of Addison (26:14)
Female 25-29: Amanda Baker, 25, of Painted Post (23:19)
Female 30-34: Brieanne O'Hearn, 32, of Horseheads (23:24)
Female 35-39: Nancy Kinner, 38, of Alba, Pa. (23:31)
Female 40-44: Laura McPike, 43, of Horseheads (25:56)
Female 45-49: Amy Voorhees, 47, of Dryden (26:37)
Female 50-54: Patricia Albert, 53, of Phelps (26:53)
Female 55-59: Terri Myers, 55, of Burdett (25:22)
Female 60-64: Martha Roberts, 60, of Penn Yan (29:42)
Female 65-69: Mary Ellen Chuss-Mirro, 65, of Bath, Pa. (33:55)
Female 70-74: Barb Morgan, 72, of Tioga, Pa. (41:48)
Female 75 and Up: Joanne Bleakley, 80, of Geneva (57:26) (only entrant)

Male 8 and Under: Tucker Flaitz, 8, of Arkport (29:47)
Male 9-12:
Benjamin Allen, 12, of Elmira (20:35)
Male 13-15:
Hunter Brighall, 15, of Seneca Falls (19:16)
Male 16-19: Brandon Pike, 18, of Watkins Glen (18:57)
Male 20-24: Casey Swartz, 23, of Horseheads (18:32)
Male 25-29: Ben Stamp, 27, of Watkins Glen (21:05)
Male 30-34: Taylor Eck, 30, of Lancaster, Pa. (24:47)
Male 35-39: John Copp, 36, of Minoa, NY (18:18)
Male 40-44: Peter Harewood, 44, of Painted Post (20:16)
Male 45-49: Bert Deats, 46, of Horseheads (23:14)
Male 50-54: Wayne Pike, 53, of Watkins Glen (24:09)
Male 55-59: Brian Jakupca, 59, of Dundee (24:04)
Male 60-64: John Thomas, 61, of Savona (28:35)
Male 65-69: Thomas Santee, 69, of Hornell (26:11)
Male 70-74: Ward Abbett, 73, of Penn Yan (31:21)
Male 75 and Up: Paul Bleakley, 80, of Geneva (57:26) (only entrant)

Photos in text:

Top: Not just humans participated in The Arc Grand Prix run.
Second: At the finish line, late in the race.
Third: From left, Brandon Ray, Alyssa Bruno, Katie Ray and Michel Ray.

The runners round the first curve in the 3.4-mile race.

Left: A man walking with two children seemed to be holding or lighting the Zippo torch. Right: Water was handed out about midway through the run.

Left: Race participants included, from left: Russ Gardner, Chris Wood, Conner Wood and Mike Stamp. Right: Sarah Schlueter-Eisman sang the National Anthem.

Walkers make their way along the "boot" portion of the WGI race track.

 

 

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Charles Haeffner
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