By Rob Potter
CALLICOON — July 30, 2004 – The Delaware Youth Center 5K River Race keeps getting bigger and bigger.
A record number of 105 runners and walkers participated in the sixth annual race, which was held last Sunday in Callicoon. The athletes ran or walked approximately 1 and 1/2 miles up River Road in the hamlet before turning around and making their way back to the start/finish line, which was in front of the Callicoon Post Office.
While the dozens of participants all left the starting line at 8:30 a.m., they returned in short intervals within the next hour.
The first runner to cross the finish line was Michael VanWagenen of Hankins. VanWagenen, 17, completed the race in 16:47. He was 25 seconds ahead of second place finisher Jason Lahritz of New Windsor (17:12) and 41 seconds faster than third place finisher Kyle Layton of Equinunk, Pa. (17:28).
While VanWagenen is one of the top runners for the Sullivan West Central School cross country, indoor track and outdoor track teams, this was his first 5K race.
“It was a nice day to run,” VanWagenen said. “The weather was good.”
VanWagenen, who will be a junior at SW this fall, also enjoyed the course itself.
“It’s a very good course,” he said. “It’s nice and flat.”
VanWagenen added that he intends to run in the River Race again next summer.
The first woman to reach the finish line was Maegan Krifchin, who lives in Bellmore, Long Island, but is spending the summer in Woodbourne. She set a personal record by running the course in a time of 19:01.
April Ackermann of Cochecton was second woman to finish. Her time was 19:35. Virginia Layton of Equinunk, Pa. was third in 21:24.
“I felt good and really enjoyed the race,” Krifchin said. “The course is nice and flat. It’s so cool with the river right there.”
The race organizers were happy with how the race unfolded.
“Because of all the runners, sponsors and volunteers, we had a very successful race,” said Alice Newell, who served as race director. “And thank God for good weather.”
Following the race, the runners and walkers enjoyed refreshments provided by Mongaup Valley Bagel Bakery, Peck’s Market and Shop Rite. They also received small gifts from Corinne Dunlap (Avon representative), Community Bank of Sullivan County and The Trading Post in Liberty.
Newell also thanked Fleet Bank and the Callicoon Post Office for the use of their parking lots for the event.
The race sponsors included: GEO Construction, Roche’s Garage, Inc., Schumacher Systems, Inc., Narrowsburg Motor Sales, Inc., ’Specially U Hair & Nail Care, Creekside Computer Service, Monahan Graphic Design, Callicoon Theater, Delaware Valley Farm & Garden Center, Inc., Fosterdale Equipment, Corp., The Western Hotel, Mike Preis, Inc., Fleet Bank, The Secret Garden Gift Shop, Family Business, LLC, Matthew J. Freda Real Estate, The Blue Victorian, Liberty Trading Post, La Shed Du Fred, Paul D. Salzberg, MD, The First National Bank of Jeffersonville, Klimchok Real Estate, Werlau, Construction, Peck’s Market, Inc., Sullivan Concrete, Inc., Mongaup Valley Bagel Bakery, Lohr Lumber Company, Inc., The 1906 Restaurant, Lander’s River Cafe, Forsblom Freight, Baum Law Offices, LLP, Buddenhagen, Braman Arts Conservatory, 27 Main Pizzeria & Restaurant.
Age group winners of the race were as follows:
10 and Under Male
1. Damon Ferrara, Barryville, 44:33; 2. Nicholas Ferrara, Barryville, 45:04; 3. Ryan Hadel, New York City, 48:49.
12 and Under Female
1. Anagabriel Loor, Thompsonville, 26:51; 2. Brianna Canfield, Beach Lake, Pa., 48:48; 3. Megan Haberli, Hankins, 51:36.
13-15 Female
1. Arianna Garrison, Newburgh, 23:01; 2. Andrea Johnston, New Windsor, 23:02; 3. Elanor Bryan, Youngsville, 24:06.
13-15 Male
1. Matthew Layman, Jeffersonville, 19:38; 2. Colin Seidl, Cochecton, 20:50; 3. Albert McGraw, Long Eddy, 26:09.
16-19 Female
1. Christie Calstrom, Newburgh, 22:15.
16-19 Male
1. Paul Cassidy, Sugar Loaf, 17:43; 2. Nickolas Muth, Galilee, Pa., 18:05; 3. Jacob Schwartz, White Sulphur Springs, 20:18.
20-29 Female
1. Jackie Mootz, Callicoon Center, 31:39.
20-29 Male
1. Neil Snedeker, Callicoon, 25:46.
30-39 Female
1. Lisa Jasper, Callicoon Center, 27:08; 2. Alicia Jackson, Madison, 32:18; 3. Dorothy Clarke, Highland Park, 32:20.
30-39 Male
1. Edwin Robisch, Jeffersonville, 20:22; 2. Andy McKean, Jeffersonville, 24:50; 3. David W. Bodenstein, Jeffersonville, 26:04.
40-49 Female
1. Kathleen Rifken, Middletown, 22:20; 2. Kathleen Davis, Circleville, 23:00; 3. Pamela Rourke, Swan Lake, 24:39.
40-49 Male
1. George Shakelton, Hancock, 18:09; 2. Frank Colella, Campbell Hall, 18:18; 3. Scott Pere, Staten Island, 18:46.
50-59 Female
1. Karin McCaffery, Napanoch, 27:13; 2. Eileen Wohltjen, Hurleyville, 27:46; 3. Beverley Garzon, Parksville, 30:15.
50-59 Male
1. Ken Lohmeyer, Freehold, NJ, 19:24; 2. Jerry Murphy, Jeffersonville, 21:43; 3. Brian Rivenburgh, Middletown, 22:07.
60 and Over Female
1. Victoria Greffrath, Damascus, Pa., 33:36; 2. Mary Heinle, White Sulphur Springs, 35:50; 3. Shirley Feinstein, Monticello, 45:35.
60 and Over Male
1. J.J. Smyth, Bethany, Pa., 22:28; 2. Roger Desy, Long Eddy, 23:48; 3. Alfred Howell, Honesdale, Pa., 24:20.