Sunday, April 22, 2007 -- Hopwood, PA / Route 40
Mount Summit Challenge 3.5 Mile Run and Walk (iPO Event Id#: 10061)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
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Article and photos by Julie Black

Happy racers at the summit

The 25th year is said to be the silver anniversary, but to Fayette Striders president, Joe Thomas it was gold. Nearly 600 runners and walkers from Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and other states lined the streets of the small 2,000 plus population town of Hopwood, PA.

Increasing it's numbers by 200 plus, the event has grown in participants and popularity making it the biggest one yet.

The course lead racers uphill on route 40, ending in the parking lot of the historic Summit Inn Resort. Many repeat runners trek up the mountain, but the challenge always attracts it's share of first-timers.

Race walker Jamie Brooks is a veteran of the event, winning her 10th women's summit title in a row. She was 2nd overall. Julie Lipniskas also won as a repeat racer, finishing 1st overall (30:29) for the women for the third time.

The view from the top

John Brokenbrough, 48 years young, was first to reach the summit in 25:46. Geo Toomey (25:52) of Bethel Park, PA was 2nd, and Evan Beach (26:37) of Pittsburgh finished 3rd. Kristen Levan and Debbie Conner, stayed within a minute of each other with Levan taking home 2nd for the women.

Don Slusser, a familiar race face of the area, placed 1st overall in the walk in 37:53. After the race, a pizza party and awards ceremony took place at the Hopwood VFW.

Thanks to SERJ for their professional timing services, to the Fayette Striders for hosting the event, and to the Fayette County Commissioner, Joe Hardy, the official race starter.