This year’s Women’s Distance Festival (WDF) again took place on Mother’s Day in memory of race cofounder Diane Sherrer. It was a beautiful spring day as 97 women and girls completed a 5K on the Jim Schug Trail in Dryden.
40-year-old Liz Hartman took both the overall win, completing her run in a time of 20:19. In second place, Isabella Dobson, age 24, finished just 6 seconds later in 20:25. Sarah Woodyear took third in 21:19. 45-year-old Melissa Weiner took the Master’s (40+) win in 22:17 and 60-year-old Joanne Herneisey took the veterans (60+) title in 31:36.
The youngest participant in this year’s race was only 2: Aveira Hartwell crossed the finish line (with her mother) in 1:06:43. The youngest actual runners were 6-year-olds Samantha Cappadora (41:49) and Olivia Bordoni (46:27)—Olivia was our youngest finisher in 2022. The oldest finisher, Janet Meaney completed her 5K in 1:07:30 at 85 years young. We should all aspire to be moving as well by the time we reach such a seasoned age!
Overall open, masters, veteran, and age-group winners were awarded potted flowers. All finishers received herb seed packets and were also given the option of receiving a small cowbell, in honor of Joseph Reynolds. The WDF was the last FLRC event Joe volunteered at before his death and the race directors wanted to honor him in this simple, yet meaningful way. Joe will be forever known as the man with the cowbell. He cheered many a runner over many years while ringing his cowbell.
Full race results may be found here.
None of these events would be possible without our volunteers, and those who generously gave their time and played a role in this year’s success include the following:
- Race Directors: Chris Irving and Lorrie Tily
- Timing Team: Dave Kania and Jesse Koenecke
- Additional Volunteers: Alan Lockett, Zsophia Franck, Shelly Marino, Don Tily, Tamara Loos, Dave Vernon, and Catarina Massa