TUNKHANNOCK — Going into the Jack Daniels Mile foot race on Aug. 6, Ben Robinson had ideas of possibly breaking the course record.
Conversely, setting a new course record never even entered Marina Orrson’s mind.
But that’s exactly what she did.
Orrson not only took home top female honors in 4:58, she broke Regan Rome’s record, set last year, by one second.
“I’m exited about setting a course record,” said Orrson, 23, of Shavertown. “I just tried to keep up with the guys early on. When I reached the hill (just before the half way part of the race), I really started pushing. When we turned the final turn of the race and saw the clock, I realized I had a shot at the record.”
Robinson won top honors, breaking the tape in 4 minutes and 23 seconds. But his winning time fell three seconds short of the course record, set by Hugh Mundy, a standout runner at Dallas High School and the University of Notre Dame.
“I wanted to break the record – that was the goal going into the race,” said Robinson, a former Tunkhannock High School standout runner and now a senior at Lock Haven University where he runs track and cross country. “But I’m happy with my performance, considering in our training program at Lock Haven we haven’t yet gotten into speed work.”
Robinson and Orrson both finished second in last year’s race.
Kieron Sutton, 20, of Shavertown, finished in second place, just one second behind Robinson. Jeff Skwierz, 33, of Forty Fort, who has won the race numerous times, finished third, one second behind Sutton.
30th annual Jack Daniels Mile results
Top 5 males
1. Ben Robinson, 21, Tunkhannock, 4:23
2. Kieran Sutton, 20, Shavertown, 4:24
3. Jeff Skwierz, 33, Forty Fort, 4:25
4. Kyle Suponcic, 25, Shavertown, 4:44
5. Alex Nole, 20, Tunkhannock, 4:48
Age group winners: 8 & under: Callum Jerome, 8:12. 9-11: Deegan Ross, 5:58. 12-15: Cole Doster, 5:25. 16-19: John Lumis, 5:05. 20-29: Kieron Sutton, 4:24. 30-34: Jeff Skwierz, 4:25. 35-39: Robert Damiano, 5:39. 40-44: E. J. O’Malley, 4:58. 45-49: Keith Brosious, na. 50-59: Mike Kinney, na. 60-69: Rich Novak, 6:46. 70-79: Bob Sounder, 8:58. 80 & over: Rich Hause, 13:38.
Top 3 females
1. Marina Orrson, 23, Shavertown, 4:58
2. Kelsey Cameron, 24, Pringles, 5:20
3. Justine Johns, 16, Meshoppen, 5:34
4. Amelia Ayers, 21, Tunkhannock, 6:10
5. Michele Brown, 44, Tunkhannock, 6:26
Age group winners: 8 & under: Leah Traver, 7:52. 9-11: Meg Johns, 7:16. 12-15: Emily Grow, 7:09. 16-19: Justine Johns, 5:34. 20-29: Kelsey Cameron, 5:20. 30-39: Ella Daniels, 6:48. 40-49: Michele Brown, 6:26. 50-59: Bev Burton, 7:35. 60 & over: Blennie Saylor, 11:37. Special award: First fire fighter to finish: Bridget White, 8:13.
Field: 215. Starter: Burt Sharp. Timing: Vince Wojnar (Wyoming Valley Striders). Results: Endless Mountains Bobcats. Race director: Dick Daniels.
