Miles For Matt 8 Hour Relay

Bethlehem, PA

June 20, 1998

Results courtesy of the Miles For Matt Race Committee.

The 1998 edition of Miles for Matt (6th Annual) 8 Hour Relay was again a huge success. The runners and walkers raised over $20,000 for the 6th year in a row. All funds will be used to benefit bone marrow testing and bone marrow transplantation, both in the Lehigh Valley and world wide. Once a person is tested the results are entered into a national and worldwide database. People from all parts of the world can possibly benefit from the efforts of the participants in this first class event.

All participants (walkers and runners) received t-shirts, drinks, food, prizes and were entered in merchandise and gift certificate drawings, as well as pizza and soda at the end of the event. Handmade prizes were given to the teams (23 participated) that placed in their respective categories. The weather was sunny, hot and humid, with temperatures reaching into the low 90's. Warm weather has been a staple of this event for several years, but the runners ran on and the walkers trudged along despite the conditions. The cause is always a positive force behind their effort.

In the open division, Team Ship cruised around the track with Team IUP right on their heels the whole day. In the end Ship prevailed - 90.5 miles to 90 miles for IUP. A great effort by both teams! To show how tough, Ship averaged 5:18.5 per mile to 5:20 per mile for IUP. To add to the feat it must be noted that Team Ship did this with only 7 runners on their team, which means that each runner covered 12 miles, except one!!. It is hard to imagine that after 8 hours of running in 90 degree heat that these teams could be so close. In the mixed division (5 men, 3 women) Team Ship's second team also prevailed, running 77.5 miles. In the Master's division, Lock Haven Alumni won for the third year in row with 70 miles, averaging 6:51 per mile. And finally, in the Women's division, Eight is Enough ran 61 miles for the victory. All relay winners received handmade plaques, a special relay winners shirt, and a gift certificate.

The race and the day ended with pizza, soda, pledges awards (worth over$5,000), team awards, and a raffle for the remaining prizes. The team that had the highest amount of pledges with the bottom four participants won a pair of New Balance running shoes for each member of the team. The team from Knoll Industries won this award for the second time in a row.

It is impossible to have such great success year after year without the great job the runners do with both pledges and running. The organizers of the event wish to thank our newest sponsor, New Balance shoes, all the volunteers, and our continually faithful sponsors for making this event a first class affair. The six year total fund raising now stands at OVER $130,000!!!!!! Again - thank you to all those that make this possible.

In the 6 years that this relay has been run, the same person has been the leading fund raiser - Bethlehem school teacher Dave Drabic. This year he raised $3,501.16. His 6 year total is nearing the $15,000 mark. For one individual to put forth such an effort is very commendable!! The organizers of Miles For Matt hope that Dave continues to fund raise and participate in our worthy cause. The following participants also were awarded prizes for fund raising:

1.	Dave Drabic		$3,501.16
2.	Ron Snyder		$1,930
3.	Rob Bartholomew		$1,450
4.	Dan Cruttenden		$1,000	(no prize taken) 
5.	Dennis Axman		$800
6.	Benneth Worman		$641	Matt's mother
7.	Nelson Harmon		$570
8.	Sandy Townsend		$500
9.	Dick Jordan		$485
10.	Patty Wade		$429

The walking division this year was the only group to see a new record. Dave Drabic turned to walking this year instead of running. He was formerly the captain of The Morning Star running team, which won the mixed division for several years. Many members of his team had made prior commitments and were unable to run. So this year Dave moved to the walking division, "claiming" that the running has been taking its toll on his legs. Walking non-stop, Dave set a new record of 30.5 miles in 8 hours! It should also be noted that Samantha Mellon, age 10, walked 15.25 miles and received a special certificate for her outstanding effort. The following walkers also placed and won awards:

1. Dave Drabic 30.5 miles 2. Sue Drabic 28 Dave's wife 3. Wendy Weaver 26 4. Stan Worman 22.75 Matt's father 5. Barb Stuck 22.5 6. Pam Hartzell 21 7. Sue Worman 20 Matt's wife 8. Sherry Barthold 16.75 9. Jennifer Belleno 16.5 10. Janet Lehman 16.25 11. Lisa Thomas 16

These are the results from the 6th annual Miles For Matt 8 Hour Relay:

OPEN DIVISION

1st Team Ship 90.5 miles 5:18/mile pace Shawn Pinamonte, Jeremy Hoffman, Jason Gish, Tim Skoken, Bill Starner, Matt Wagoner, Chris Dodson

2nd Team IUP 90 miles 3rd Formerly Known as Haircut 83.75 "

MIXED DIVISION

1st Team Ship 77.5 miles 6:11/mile pace 2nd The Quarter Pounders 70.25 miles 3rd Huskaronies (Dieruff HS) 69.75 miles 4th The Streaks 66.5 mile

MASTER'S DIVISION

1st Lock Haven Alumni 70 miles 6:51/mile pace

WOMEN'S DIVISION

1st Eight is Enough 61 miles 7:58/mile pace