In the 18^th Annual Challenger 5K, Matt Dearth surged ahead of the pack immediately and didn’t look back.   His dominance continued for the entire race, followed by a cluster of four runners staying ahead of the pack.  The gap between Dearth and the next runner grew significantly right off the bat, with Dearth having a 20-yard lead passing Jones Avenue. 

 

By the time they turned onto Worthington, Dearth had a lead of more than 40 yards.  The incline on Worthington slowed the pace of some of the runners, but Dearth forged ahead.  His lead stretched to 80 yards as Dearth continued his stride even as a dog nipped at his ankles on Pearcey.  With Arryn Tennant as his closest competitor, Dearth gained momentum as he went down Stout Street and by the time they turned onto Johnson Avenue, Dearth had an impressive 230-yard lead in the race.  Keefe Kiser and Arryn Tennant were neck in neck at the turn and crowds lined the street cheering the runners on. 

 

In the home stretch, Dearth lengthened his stride as he glided through the finish line with a time of 16:52.  Dearth, who finished second in last years race, said, “It felt really good to have my racing mojo back. I have been training really hard all summer and I’m happy it paid off.”  Coming in second was Arryn Tennant with a time of 17:27.  “It was a good course,” said Tennant, “challenging at times and pretty hot out there, but overall I think my experience and training in track and cross-country helped me out.”  Third place was Keefe Kiser with a time of 17:31.

 

The first woman to cross the finish line was Lavania Lemasters, with a time of 21:44.  She was followed by Jennifer Herron in second and Brooke Driscoll in third.  The age division winners were as follows:  Men 10 and under, Slate Swiger; Men 10-14, Jesse Canaday; Men 15-19, Ian Frailey; Men 20-29, Jeremy Pevahouse; Men 30-39, Zack Arnold; Men 40-49, Josh Weekley; Med 50-59, Jeff Wright; and Men 60-69, James Cann. The women’s age division winners were as follows:  Women 10 and under, Katrina Canaday; 10-14, Caroline Ferrell; 15-19, Emily Hayhurst; 20-29, Mollee Brown; 30-39, Sarah Perine; 40-49, Penny Santa; and 50-59, Michele Underwood.

 

Jack Spatafore, the director of the race for the last eight years, said, “It was a record turnout for the race.  We had great weather and after Matt’s second place win last year, I’m really excited he won.  This is the 18^th year of the run, with the name changing to the Benedum Festival Challenger 5k eight years ago when Spatafore took over.  All proceeds from the race go to benefit the Challenger Little League tems around the state.  “The race helps raise awareness of the Challenger League and keep it in the public eye,” said Spatafore.  “It also encourages participants to give their all just as the kids do in the league.”

 

The Challenger League is a division of Little League that allows children with physical and mental disabilities to have the opportunity to experience the thrill of athletic competition.  Mike and Kim Martin, of Bridgeport Physical Therapy, run the league of over 100 players across the state.