LANGHORNE – What a way to celebrate 25 years of run and fun.
And you can add “sun” to that list as well, because the weather was just about perfect for Sunday’s Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic.
After nearly a week of stormy, gloomy weather, the 25th annual Classic – featuring more than 600 competitors in either the 5K, one-mile or Kids’ Sprint — was greeted with clear skies and dry air.
That brought smiles to faces young and old and brought out the best in the participants.
Proceeds from the race benefit the Dick Dougherty Honorarium Awards. Since 1999, more than $500,000 has been raised for the cause.
“It was another great family day in the sun for those at the Sesame Place Classic,” Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club’s Jill Saul remarked. “Serious runners and stroller-pushers alike all came out for a great cause.”
Christopher Baisden of Bensalem won the overall title in the 5K event which had more than 500 runners. The 19-year-old runner completed the 5,000-meter course around the Oxford Valley Mall in 16 minutes, 37 seconds. He was followed by Luke Holman, 41, of Arlington, Va. in 16:46. Morrisville’s Brandon Spronk, 15, placed third in 16:53.
In women’s competition, Jessica Schloff, 39, of Mechanicsburg, Pa. took home the title in 22:08. Next came Alyssa Dydak, 15, of Bensalem in 22:44 in second place and Trish Pekarchik, 44, of Beachwood, N.J. third in 23:45.
Kiwanis’ Jill Gilardi, who oversees registration for the Classic, found Sunday’s event to be quite special.
“This year’s race, 25 years strong, was my favorite so far,” she said. “I saw so many parent-child running pairs. That was so cool! Everyone loved their shirts (featuring Elmo of Sesame Street) and the weather was perfect. The races flowed smoothly, what a great day.”
Classic veteran Ernie Nocito of the Bucks County Herald was honored to once again serve as race announcer.
“Seeing all the runners and the spectators cheering them on made it exciting to be here,” he said. “It’s a great event and supports a very worthy cause.”
The run for the one-mile medals was equally spirited.
Morrisville’s Declan Sargent, 13, earned top honors with a 6:36. The top female finisher was Kathleen Sargent, 13, of Morrisville in 6:36.
The Sesame characters were once again the stars of the show for the young children in attendance.
“Some very famous media stars, such as Abby Caddaby, Elmo and Grover, took time out of their busy day and the clicking sound of cameras could be heard above the children’s laughter,” noted Kiwanis Club’s Dixie Rhodes.
“Our 25th annual race was enjoyed by young children and seniors alike. I just love seeing families interacting with each other.”
Rhodes pointed out that the Honorarium benefits some 34 college-bound scholar-athletes from 18 Bucks County high schools.
Donna Milner, secretary-treasurer for the Classic, had some of her grandchildren competing in the one-mile event, which made the day extra special for her.
“What a spectacular day,” she said. “From brilliant sunshine to the smiles on all the runners, this Classic was a success. Thank you to all the sponsors and the community volunteers who worked alongside Kiwanis Club members to bring this race to life.”
>25th annual Sesame Place Classic 5K results
>MALE
>Overall: 1. Christopher Baisden, 19, 16:37; 2. Luke Holman, 41, Arlington, Va., 16:46; 3. Brandon Spronk, 15, Morrisville, 16:53.
>Masters: 1. Luke Holman, Arlington, Va., 16:46.
>1 to 9: 1. Blake Zodda, Mount Laurel, N.J., 22:12; 2. Carter Greiner, Bensalem, 29:14; 3. Monty Martin, Southampton, 36:39.
>10 to 12: 1. Dylan Spronk, Morrisville, 20:48; 2. Jason Fray, Bensalem, 22:04; Stephen Menna, Burlington, N.J., 22:16.
>13 to 14: 1. Aiden Frank, Bensalem, 19:13; 2. Liam Karas, Fairless Hills, 19:58; 3. Anthony Skillens, Bensalem, 20:59.
>15 to 18: 1. Brendan Sargent, Morrisville, 17:04; 2. Jonathan Weng, Bensalem, 17:55; 3. Logan Terranova, Norristown, 18:06.
>19 to 29: 1. Joey Kelly, Bensalem, 20:34; 2. James Fernandex, Levittown, 22:37; 3. Harrison Bell, Bristol, 23:30.
>30 to 34: 1. Daniel Wirt, Fairless Hills, 20:04; 2. Peter MacNamee, Levittown, 21:04; 3. Kasaun Tramel, Langhorne, 21:36.
>35 to 39: 1. Jordan Morsberger, Harrisburg, Pa., 23:01; 2. Christopher Rivera, Levittown, 23:21; 3. Brad Stanger, Morrisville, 23:25.
>40 to 44: 1. Michael Saks, Philadelphia, 19:26; 2. Derek Quitmeyer, Philadelphia, 21:49; 3. Andrew Zodda, Mount Laurel, N.J., 22:12.
>45 to 49: 1. Eric Frank, Bensalem, 21:22; 2. Shawn Logan, Abington, 24:07; 3. Ohad Assulin, Bensalem, 24:42.
>50 to 54: 1. Bill Freed, Langhorne, 28:56; 2. Robert Ladd, Holland, 36:15; 3. Robert Lavecchia, Haddonfield, N.J., 39:54.
>55 to 59: 1. Patrick Costello, Newtown, 21:06; 2. Michael Galkin, Morrisville, 23:18; 3. Mike Schwab, Levittown, 29:02.
>60 to 69: 1. Michael Haston, Levittown, 20:37; 2. Ray Willhoft, Yardley, 23:36; 3. Seth Rosenwald, Morrisville, 29:01.
>70 to 79: 1. Tom Fuoco, Yardley, 25:28; 2. Alan Dresser, Morrisville, 26:34; 3. Skip Schanbacker, Doylestown, 38:24.
>FEMALE
>Overall: 1. Jessica Schloff, 39, Mechanicsburg, Pa., 22:08; 2. Alyssa Dydak, 15, Bensalem, 22:44; 3. Trish Pekarchik, Beachwood, N.J., 23:45.
>Masters: 1. Trish Pekarchik, Beachwood, N.J., 23:45.
>1 to 9: 1. Lilly McNelly, Green Lane, Pa., 27:16; 2. Ivey McNelly, Green Lane, Pa., 27:16; 3. Arianna Harvey, Bensalem, 34:37.
>10 to 12: 1. Sofia Worster, Bellmore, N.Y., 24:51; 2. Gretchen Rosenfeld, Southampton, 27:08; 3. Harleigh Karas, Fairless Hills, 30:28.
>13-14: 1. Vicky Pekarchik, Beachwood, N.J., 23:51; 2. Chloe Grafenstine, Bristol, 30:58; 3. Elle Balcom, Lawrence Township, N.J., 37:11.
>15 to 18: 1. Payton Karas, Fairless Hills, 26:10; 2. Shir Assluin, Bensalem, 26:42; 3. MacKenzie Sloskey, Langhorne, 27:30.
>19 to 29: 1. Monica Lotrean, Warminster, 24:32; 2. Jess Kovalesky, Philadelphia, 24:52; 3. Claudia Day, Levittown, 26:36.
>30 to 34: 1. Sarah Harrison, Philadelphia, 26:20; 2. Cas Praul, Morrisville, 28:45; 3. Samantha Lubey, Warrington, 28:53.
>35 to 39: 1. Alisa Marvel, Shrewsbury, Mass., 25:26;2. Carrie Curcio, Southampton, 26:33; 3. Kristy Radcliffe, Levittown, 28:24.
>40 to 44: 1. Andrea Edwards, Millstone Township, N.J., 24:26; 2. Allegra Panaccio, 42, Langhorne, 24:49; 3. Jenna Lauber, Feasterville-Trevose, 27:27.
>45 to 49: 1. Hila Assulin, Bensalem, 24:25; 2. Crystal McNelly, Green Lane, Pa., 26:00; 3. Jamie Hutchison, Southampton, 27:46.
>50 to 54: 1. Heather McGurrin, Fallsington, 29:20; 2. Barbara Ann Mazza, Allentown, N.J., 31:00; 3. Cyndi Primerano, Allentown, N.J., 31:01.
>55 to 59: 1. Theresa Prato, Philadelphia, 28:09; 2. Yelena Galkin, Morrisville, 31:32; 3. Bobbie Koreyva, Vincentown, N.J., 37:27.
>60 to 69: 1. Elaine Schumacher, Bensalem, 37:38; 2. Karen Bryant, Trenton, N.J., 39:50; 3. Jeannette Mundhenk, Kintnersville, 40:34.
>70 to 79: 1. Lynda Sacharov, Langhorne, 33:29; 2. Sharon Schanbacker, Doylestown, 37:24; 3. Marianne Reuter, Feasterville-Trevose, 41:24.
