Hyner Challenge brings out over a thousand to Western Clinton County
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Runners offer big smiles as they set off on the Hyner Trail Challenge over the weekend.
Tristen Rodriguez, of Port Royal, Pa., is pictured with a group of kids prior to the start of the race. KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS A few runners take a moment to capture a photo prior to Saturday’s race.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Runners take off from the start line at the Hyner Trail Challenge on Saturday morning.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Runners offer big smiles as they set off on the Hyner Trail Challenge over the weekend.
Tristen Rodriguez, of Port Royal, Pa., is pictured with a group of kids prior to the start of the race. KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS A few runners take a moment to capture a photo prior to Saturday’s race.
KEVIN RAUCH/FOR THE EXPRESS Runners take off from the start line at the Hyner Trail Challenge on Saturday morning.
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HYNER -- It remains an incredible sight that grows more awe-inspiring and competitive every spring, as over 1,600 runners, hikers and even still a few novices take on the Hyner Challenge, running up and down the trails that snake along Hyner Mountain and around the famed Hyner View.
This year marked the 18th annual Hyner Challenge with 513 pre-registered for the 50K and 1,135 for the 25K runs, those numbers likely increased by race day. The cool weather with a starting temperature in the mid 40s was a welcomed element for the participants.
With the Hyner Challenge being part of a trail series, competition has become a staple of the event for the majority of those taking part. Family members and spectators seemingly grow every year as out of state license plates going up and down Hyner View Road have become a staple of the event that has solidified itself as one of the best things western Clinton County has to offer.
Despite the underlying competition, camaraderie and encouragement still rule the day, as only the amount of steps taken outnumber the sum of smiles, hugs and high fives that are exchanged.
At the end of the day, Steven Lange, 32, of Stanhope, N.J., was the top finisher in the 25k with a time of 2:14:18.
He was followed closely by Reagan McCoy, 26, of Lock Haven, with a time of 2:15:51. In third place was Gregory Ahlswede, 34, of Pittston, with a time of 2:22:48.
The top female finisher was Laurel Moyer, 27, of Lock Haven, with a time of 2:32:09. She was followed by Alicia Cutter, 28, of Hanson, Mass., wth a time of 2:56:46. Rounding out the top three was Katie Compton, 45, of Colorado Springs, Colo., with a time of 3:08:44.
The top finisher for the 50K was Ben Quatromoni, 36, of Newport, Rhode Island, who finished the bigger course with a time of 4:13:01. He was followed closely by Parker Weeks, 31, of Canandaigua, N.Y., with a time of 4:22:03. Rounding out the top three male finishers was Justin Scheid, 38, of Succasunna, N.J., with a time of 4:41:06.
The top female finisher was Kassandra Spitler, 35, of Newport, Rhode Island, with a time of 5:09:50. She was followed by Emily Dooley, 31, of Philadelphia, with a time of 5:20:42. Rounding out the top three female finishers was Jill Dennes, 31, of Nashville, Tenn., with a time of 5:26:01.