Bobcat 5K Provides an Annual Kickoff to the Season for Area Runners!
(Images provided by Clarion Area Cross Country) Above: The Start
(By Clarion Area Cross Country Coach Keith Murtha)
Saturday, August 7th, proved to be a sultry morning as local athletes warmed up and raced the Bobcat 5K Trail Run which has now become an early August tradition and kickoff for the season for Clarion County and surrounding athletes and the local running community!
The race is held at Clarion County Park through the scenic grass and trails and home of the Clarion Area Cross Country team!
This is a fantastic community event, where we see generations participating, siblings, parents, friends from KSAC and district 9 and 10, adults and supporters from the local running community, as well as, our tremendous sponsors from the area.
Following the 5K, an elementary kids half-mile race kicked off using the first half mile of the same course their brothers and sister, Moms and Dads, just ran guided by some of our varsity runners! Fans can line the course to cheer them on and our coaches are at the finish with their ribbons!
In the 5K, Bobcat senior Gavin Hoover led all runners finishing in a time of 18:30 followed by Keystone’s 1-2 punch of the Hansford brother’s, Jonathon and Josiah in 19:56 and 20:40 respectively.
Be on the lookout for C-L’s Logan Lutz. Only a freshman, he was 4th 21:15.
On the women’s side, Bobcat Senior Bella Scott did not want to be outdone by her male counterpart, running away from the competition to take first overall!
Former Keystone great Brynn Space and Amanda Heppinger had a great showing, letting everyone know they still have what it takes.
And be on the look out for Kaylee Milliron this season. She had a strong run, finishing in 27:15.
Eliza Datko was the Girls Under 12 champion.
On behalf of the Clarion Area Cross Country Booster Club, Team and Coaches we would like to thank everyone who participated, best of luck to the runners and teams this season full results and pictures on our facebook page facebook.com/Clarionbobcat5ktrailandfunrun.
Anna Hoover, Maggie Snodgrass, Raven Cunningham and Eliza Datko will be the backbone of a strong Junior High girls team preparing to run here!
State qualifier Noah Schill showed he still has good form in his 20’s.
Next year’s Bobcat 5K will be held Saturday August 6th, 2022. We hope to see you then, as well as some new friends!
(Thanks to Coach Murtha for this article and Clarion Area Cross Country fro the images. Congratulations to all who were involved in this great event!!!!)