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Miles For Matt 8-Hour Relay

Bethlehem, PA, June 16, 2001

MILES FOR MATT

by John Hargreaves

As reflected in the master's strong finishers, if not outright domination, in Pennsylvania's road races the mean age of the running community continues to increase. Whether this is due to the aging of the baby boomers or not, area races have dealt with the inclination of older runners to do fewer miles by reducing 10K and five mile races to 5K events. A few 24 hour relays stagger on but one of the Lehigh Valley's premier relays decided a few years ago that it was advantageous to recognize and capitalize on this trend, so Miles For Matt (MFM) cut four hours from the 12 hour event to become an eight hour race. Although 24 hour relays are usually composed of 10 runners, MFM upped the ante by declaring a team to be only eight runners. That they have arrived at the best of both worlds is shown in their results.

The June 16th event, held at the Moravian College track, is dedicated to the memory of Matt Worman, a talented Lehigh Valley runner. This year $22,000 was raised to make the nine year total $205,000. The money goes toward registering people on the bone marrow transplant list.

In 2001 the 19 teams and 20 walkers got a break due to the moderate weather and thunderstorms. During the late afternoon, summer set in with it's usual severity and the relay was terminated at 6 hours and 53 minutes. Tents with metal support poles are arrayed throughout the stadium and the teams all carry metal batons so the race organizers thought it wise to keep everyone safe. At that point team IUP, mainly comprised of Indiana University of Pennsylvania students and alumni had accrued 78.5 miles, a little more than a mile ahead of the Baby Ruths. The Streaks won the masters division with 70 3/4 miles; the Has Been Hounds and New Litter took the women's race with 67 miles and the mixed division was won by the Quarter Pounders with 65 3/4 miles. Stan Worman, Matt's 70 year old father, covered 22 miles to win the walking division. Complete results are available on the web at http://www.miles4matt.org This unique relay is very well managed with the needs of the competitors met. There is plenty of Gatorade and food available all day. Door prizes are distributed every 30 minutes and the results are updated as the hours slide by. Continuous music, courtesy of DJ Direct, adds to the festive atmosphere. The awards, unique plaques by Linda Millman, are coveted by all and are accompanied by gift certificates. The race is followed by a huge pizza party.

TEAM AWARDS

OPEN DIVISION

1ST PLACE  - Team IUP                                   78.5 miles

        Mike Tanner                     Brendan Buckley
        Chris Branchetti                Ben Geiss
        Shawn Hoch                      Jerry Libsch
        Jim Ferrell

2ND PLACE  -  Baby Ruths                                77.25 miles

        Alex Norelli                    Willy Shimer
        Marty Miller                    Pat Haas
        Mike  Notary                    Ethan Tate
        Josh Hannon                     Jon Notary

3RD PLACE  -  Lost Boys + 2                             69.25 miles

        Cole Starkey                    Dave Kolosky
        Len Mellen                      Mike Corriere
        Ed Andres                       Eric Jones
        Erin Simmons                    Rachel Baxter

MIXED DIVISION

1ST PLACE  -  Quarter Pounders                          65.75 miles

        Jason McCambridge               Matt McCambridge
        Michelle Sosnowski              Mike Lanci
        Ryan Phillips                   Meridith McCambridge
        Elaine McCambridge              Jack McCambridge

2ND PLACE  -  Dorian & His Ladies of the Night          62.5 miles

        Dorian McDonald         	   Christina Enea
        Lori Brezinsky                  Kristina Tchenko
        Katie Mumbauer          	   Corry Marcincin
        Lindsay Crunewald               Margo Huennekens

3RD PLACE  -  Layfields Llamas

        Jose DosSontos         	   Doug Farber
        Katie Farber                    Danielle Knecht
        Adam Layfield                   Danny Padilla
        Allison Tolnai

MASTERS DIVISION

1ST PLACE  -  Streaks                                   70.75 miles

        Dave Horvath                    Mike Rawls
        Marc Giguere                    Ed Eppler
        Jim Ochse                       Mike Raposa
        Brian Cavanaugh                 Jim Chiadis

WOMEN'S DIVISION

1ST PLACE  -  Has Been Hounds & The New Litter          67 miles

        Heidi Wolfsberger               Kim Jaick
        Erin Boyle                      Amy Cavanaugh
        Meghan Krebs                    Kristie Reccek
        Chelsea Mullins

WALKING DIVISION

1.      Stan Worman                     22 miles
2.      Pam Henstenberger               18.25
3.      Sue Worman                      18
4.      Janet Lehman                    17.75
5.      Jen Maurer                      16.5
6.      Samantha Mellon                 16.5
7.      Taryn Koch                      14.5
8.      Joyce Mantz                     11.5
9.      Sandy Tounsend                  10
10.     Susan Beecher                   10

PLEDGE AWARDS

Ron Snyder                     $3,571
Dennis Axman                    1,200
Rob Bartholomew                 1,025
Jan Clement                     850
Jack McCambridge                825
Benneth Worman                  728
DeeDee Martin                   705
Ian Gertner                     640
Sue Worman                      620
Maia Geiger                     503
Michele Sosnowski               490
Doug Bonshak                    395
Chad Kusko                      386
Pam Henstenberger               360
Ed Eppler                       352