Old guys especially like the idea of winning Steeler tickets. We were around during the 70s when the Steelers rose to power and dominated the NFL by winning four Super Bowls during that decade. Names like Mean Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Lambert, Franco Harris, and Mike Webster reverberate in the tunnel of our memories and arenas of our minds.
Unfortunately, although I ran a good race (19:21), I didn't come close to winning the tickets. John Brockenbrough of Murraysville, PA took the prize in the 55 to 59 year old category by running an impressive 18:09, more than a minute ahead of me. Two Pittsburgh guys, Carl Hubel and Sherman Snyder, finished second and third, 18:31 and 18:55 respectively. I ended up fifth.
However, my team took second in the team competition, so I didn't go home empty handed. Chrissy Lewis (19:15), Ed Liberatore (19:41), two fellow teachers at Martins Ferry High School, and I represented the Purple Riders, and we each took home a Steeler football, a Gatorade towel, and a Steeler ball cap. Not a bad haul for three small-towners in a big-city race. Chrissy also ran her best race of the year, finishing second in her age division.
Other notable times: Men's winner--Jed Christiansen, 14:23. Women's winner--Carley Seymour, 16:24. Men's Master winner -- James Hommes, 16:25. Women's Master winner--Jo Rupp, 20:31, Men's Grandmaster winner--Paul Zimmeman, 16:28 (this guy is world class and a former top placer at Boston), and Women's Grandmaster winner--Roxanne Roma-Picard, 21:36. Did you notice there were no foreign names listed? Probably because there were no cash awards, and when you say "football" to international runners they envision World Cup Soccer. I'm not sure how many Kenyan Steeler fans are out there. Maybe a few.
All in all it was a great couple of days. My wife and I stayed at the Wyndham near the Point. We hung out with friends, enjoyed the "new" Pittsburgh, and soaked in the beauty of the three rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio) and Appalachian foothills. I was impressed with the new look of the downtown area, which has been turned from a grimy rust-belt city into a magnificent metropolis which respects its blue-collar roots but definitely embraces contemporary rebirth.
Will I return next year? I hope to, especially if they keep the race on Labor Day. As a lay pastor I only get a few Sundays off a year. Usually on those days I'm running half-marathons, marathons, or hanging out at the beach. Anyway, I definitely consider this one a 5-star race. Go Steelers!
2nd Place -- Team Competition
Martins Ferry Purple Rider Teachers
Joe Ellis, Chrissy Lewis, and Ed Liberatore
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