By Matt Youngfrau
MONTICELLO — August 5, 2003 – Over 250 runners participated in The Monster Run on Sunday in Monticello.
For the 10K, 138 people participated. In the 5K division, there were 120 runners.
The Monster Run started in 1979 at the Monticello Raceway. Shortly thereafter, the course was changed and the start/finish line was moved to its current location near Pizza Hut. The course includes a grueling three-quarter mile climb around Kutsher’s “The Monster” Golf Course.
Proceeds from this year’s race, which was presented by the Monticello Rotary Club and the Sullivan Striders Club, will go to Sullivan First of Monticello and Rock Hill for their respective Renaissance projects.
As more runners came to register Sunday morning, they prepared for the race under overcast skies. Many felt there was a threat of thunderstorms. Thankfully, the rain came well after the race and the light breeze counteracted the humidity.
The top 10 male and female winners in the 5K and the 10K were as follows:

5K Male
1. Steven Creek, Grahamsville, 18:12; 2. John Hart, Cornwall, 18:20; 3. Jason Lakritz, New Windsor, 19:06; 4. Doug Patzelt, Warwick, 19:23; 5. Tom Casey, New Winsdor, 19:39; 6. John Byrne, Warwick, 19:42; 7. Gregg Barber, Wappingers Falls, 19:51; 8. Matt McKenna, New York City, 20:17; 9. Christopher Hecht, Congers, 20:19; 10. Jeff Gross, Matamoras, 20:21.

5K Female
1. Katherine Chawner, Pine Bush, 22:00; 2. April Ackerman, Cochecton, 22:15; 3. Mindy Lippel, Rock Hill, 22:40; 4. Ariel Michal, Flushing, 24:24; 5. Kaitlin Sherin, Maybrook, 24:49; 6. Pamela Rourke, Swan Lake, 26:24; 7. Patti Rosen, Kauneonga Lake, 27:04; 8. Heidi Stromberg, Campbell Hall, 27:23; 9. Susan Kross, Ellenville, 27:25; 10. Laura Newfield, Rock Hill, 27:32.

10K Male
1. Mike Slinskey, Wappingers Falls, 35:12; 2. Andy M. Latincsics, Newton, NJ, 35:50; 3. Ted DeLaunay, Chester, 38:00; 4. Anthony Calingo, Congers, 38:17; 5. Tom Manza, Rock Hill, 39:31; 6. Phillip M. Jackson, Monticello, 40:05; 7. George M Shurter, Middletown, 40:11; 8. Frank M. Colella, Campbell Hall, 40:36; 9. Nick M. Muth, Galilee, Pa., 41:00; 10. Nick DiMarzo, Cornwall, 41:43.

10K Female
1. Suzanne LaBurt, Monroe, 43:31; 2. Maryann Ek, Middletown, 46:40; 3. Lynn Fielitz, Walden, 50:37; 4. Tricia Monteforte, Middletown, 51:00; 5. Michelle Fields, Middletown, 51:07; 6. Rachel Stein, Warwick, 51:39; 7. Marie DuSalt, Washingtonville, 52:50; 8. Lyndsay Loos, Grahamsville, 53:16; 9. Barbara Linton, Middletown, 53:23; 10. Nina Sheldon, New Windsor, 55:04.