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Photo of race start: Thomas E Briglia Phillies |
Being led at the races start by the incomparable Philly Phanatic.
Phillies Ball girls cheering on the runners at the finish line.
A walk around the Citizens Park field after the race with a photo opp at home plate.
Phillies Announcer Dan Baker reading out the race award winners along with signed Phillies items as prizes.
Sub freezing temps at race time.
The less than ideal weather conditions did not seem to bother the sea of red runners, most wearing Phillies shirts and jerseys of their favorite players, from enjoying running the inaugural Phillies 5k in the least.
The first male finisher was 25-year-old Mike Zeberkiewicz of Philadelphia who covered the South Philadelphia course, which circled the stadium complex in 17:00. The first female finisher was 33-year-old Lynn Knothe of Wilmington Delaware in 19:31.
One of the races spectators, Bill Reifsnyder is no stranger to great running performances. Reifsnyder, a three time All American at Bucknell, was a two time National Champ in the marathon and was ranked as the second best road racer in the country in Runners World’s 1991 rankings. He still has the 3rd fastest 10-mile and 25k times ever and liked what he saw of the first year race: “The Philies 5K is unique because it gives runners and Phillies fans an opportunity to connect with their team in a unique way, before the season begins. After a long winter with no baseball, Phillies fans are ready to put on their red and support their team. Being able to combine two of their passions, running and baseball and then actually get onto the field is a thrill for everyone. “In fact more than a handful of runners exhibited their passion by wearing the entire uniforms of their favorite players, substituting running shoes for spikes.
After the race more than a few “Roy Halladays” or “Shane Victorino’s” could be seen strolling on an un-crowded Ashburn Alley or warming down while taking pictures strolling along the warning track of Citizen’s Bank Park .
Les Marella owner of the race timers L&M Sports http://www.lmsports.com/ was also impressed by the first time race and gave much of the credit to Mary Ann Gettis, Manager of Marketing Initiatives for the Phillies.
“The Phillies 5k went superb for a first-time event; especially because Mary Ann had her finger on the pulse... she did it all. You would have thought she had been a race director many times over. There were 3100 pre-registered runners and they could go higher but probably only with changes between the 1 and 2 mile area—the park down there off Pattison Avenue where the runners turned into got a little too crowded along the narrow road around the park.”
After the race, the Phillies Mary Ann Gettis graciously talked to Runners Gazette for her thoughts about the race.
JH: What were your goals for the inaugural Phillies race?
Mary Ann: Our goal for the inaugural Phillies 5K was to combine many of our fans’ love of running with baseball. Whether you are a casual or serious runner, you were given the chance to kick off the season with the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Most importantly, net proceeds from the event benefitted Phillies Charities, Inc. http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/phi/community/charities/index.jsp
JH: Did the race achieve these goals?
Mary Ann: We were very happy with the outcome of the event. As usual, our fans came through by braving the cold weather on race morning. They came dressed in running gear, Phillies gear and even full baseball uniforms, ready to hit the ground running behind their fearless race leader, the Phillie Phanatic.
JH: How did the registration process work, how long did it take the race to fill?
Mary Ann: Registration launched at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 4 on Phillies.com. We reached our limit of 3,000 runners in less than 24 hours.
JH: How many entrants would you like for a future race-- is there anything that may be different?
Mary Ann: We are still discussing future plans for the Phillies 5K.
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Photo: Thomas E Briglia Phillies |
JH: I can’t remember seeing so many smiles on runners faces at a race-- what do you think are some of the things that made this inaugural run so enjoyable for the runners?
Mary Ann: I agree, especially considering it was a very cold morning! I think runners enjoyed this event because it was a unique race in many ways, including the course, location, guest appearances by the Phanatic and Dan Baker and also because the race ended with a “photo finish” at home plate. The opportunity to walk on the warning track on the field is rare so it was a nice to be able to see the runners enjoy this special perk.
JH: I thought two of the many things that made this race unique were having signed Phillies items for prizes, and having Dan Baker announce the awards; will they be part of future races?
Mary Ann: The ability to distribute autographed baseballs and bats allowed us to put a special touch on the awards ceremony. Hopefully these awards will provide great memories of both the event and the Phillies for those who received them. Having Dan Baker as our emcee for the Phillies 5K provided the perfect backdrop for our event.”
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| Phillies Fever 45 Jacket |
While hits from Sirius radio played on the Citizens Bank Sound System before and after the race, probably only local runners and Phillies fans in their 40’s and older remember a hit novelty song In the 1970’s called “Phillies Fever”: http://www.hark.com/clips/swcgwyjsyk-philadelphia-phillies-fever-fight-song
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| Phillies Fever |
the novelty hit featured Phillies legends Larry Bowa, Dave Cash and Greg “the Bull” Luzinski "singing". Real Phillies fever is currently sweeping the Delaware Valley as evidenced by over 160 straight Phillies game sellouts at Citizens Bank Park, and the more than 3100 runners and families who left the inaugural Phillies 5k with a great workout, a red Phillies 5k race shirt and a smile on a chilly March morning.
Age Group Winners:
Top Male Finisher:
Mike Zeberkiewicz, Philadelphia, Pa., 17:00
Top Female Finisher:
Lynn Knothe, Wilmington, De., 19:31
Top Finishers -- Female -- Under 14
1st Place: Caroline Keegan, 14, West Grove, Pa. -- 26:02
2nd Place: Chase Rufo, 11, Bryn Mawr, Pa -- 26:51
3rd Place: Rosie Catanoso, Seaville, NJ -- 28:29
Top Finishers -- Male -- Under 14
1st Place: Evan Stigale, 14, West Deptford, NJ -- 20:12
2nd Place: Colin Felix, 12, Audubon, NJ -- 20:56
3rd Place: Matthew Shinkle, West Deptford, NJ -- 22:59
Top Finishers -- Male -- Ages 15-19
1st Place: Austin McCadden, 16, Chalfont, Pa. -- 18:39
2nd Place: Stewart Mills IV, 17, Cheltenham, Pa. -- 21: 25
3rd Place: Colin Hayes, 15, Havertown, Pa. -- 21:42 Top Finishers -- Female -- Ages 15-19
1st Place: Lindsay Johnson, 18, Media, Pa. -- 26:47
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Photo by: Thomas E Briglia Phillies |
2nd Place: Cassidy Gurve, 15, Wilmington, DE -- 28:55
3rd Place: Stephanie Klock, 19, Wayne, Pa. -- 29:25 Top Finishers -- Male -- Ages 20-29
1st Place: Tim Pagano, 25. Cherry, Hill, NJ -- 17:09
2nd Place:Tim Kemmerer, 26, East Norrito, Pa. -- 17:33
3rd Place: Jason Kilderry, 29, Cherry Hill, NJ -- 17:41
Top Finishers -- Female -- Ages 20-29
1st Place: Anne Marie Moffatt, 27, Philadelphia, Pa. -- 19:58
2nd Place: Jaclyn Haines, 23, Haddonfield, NJ -- 21:35
3rd Place: Bridgette Boudwin, 24, Springfield, Pa. -- 21:46
Top Finishers -- Male -- Ages 30-39
1st Place: Steve Sinko, 34, Wilmington, Pa. -- 17:21
2nd Place: Todd Euston, 32, Philadelphia, Pa. -- 17:38
3rd Place: Christopher Martalus, 32, Jersey City, NJ -- 18:33
Top Finishers -- Female -- Ages 30-39
1st Place: Allyson Thompson, 31, Holland, Pa. -- 20:05
2nd Place: Nicole Lobley, 37, Harleysville, Pa. -- 20:07
3rd Place: Emily Furia, 31, Conshohocken, Pa. -- 20:58
Top Finishers -- Male -- Ages 40-49
1st Place: Michael Gross, 43, Holland, Pa. -- 18:26
2nd Place: Matt Hayes, 47, Havertown, Pa. -- 18:34
3rd Place: Tim Zwall, 42, Ivyland, Pa. -- 18:57
Top Finishers -- Female -- Ages 40-49
1st Place: Dana Wentzel, 41, Lansdale, Pa. -- 22:49
2nd Place: Elizabeth Lubin, 41, Medford, NJ -- 25:59
3rd Place: Jill Sterbakov, 41, Philadelphia, Pa. -- 26:10
Top Finishers -- Male -- Ages 50-59
1st Place: Greg Cauller, 51, York, Pa. -- 17:44
2nd Place: David Stewart, 51, Haddonfield, NJ -- 19:02
3rd Place: Bruce Fritz, 51, Feasterville, Pa. -- 21:16
Top Finishers -- Female -- Ages 50-59
1st Place: Marjorie Olsho, 53, Fort Washington, Pa. -- 21:50
2nd Place: Donna John, 57, Williamstown, NJ -- 26:37
3rd Place: Cathy Cousin, 56, Kendall Park, NJ -- 27:31
Top Finishers -- Male -- Ages 60-69
1st Place: Robert McCluskey, 64, Marlton, NJ -- 27:01
2nd Place: Mark Huddell, 60, Bound Brook, NJ -- 27:20
3rd Place: Arthur Murray, Mt. Gretna, Pa. -- 27:59
Top Finishers -- Female -- Ages 60-69
1st Place: Barbara Weiss, 63, Voorhees, NJ -- 26:46
2nd Place: Pamela Godwin, 61, Havertown, Pa. -- 34:53
3rd Place: Linda Rubini, 60, Newtown, Pa. -- 40:32
Note: Race article courtesy Runners Gazette: http://www.runnersgazette.com/
Jack Heath is the Gloucester Catholic Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach and also works for Phillies Security.
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