Saturday, August 11, 2007 -- Connellsville, PA
Phil Foley Memorial 5K (iPO Event Id#: 10332)

2007: [Photos] [Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

Past Results: [2000] [2002] [2003] [2006]

Phil Foley Race is Scenic: On the Yough Trail

Story and photos by JR Petsko

Phil Foley 5K photo by JR Petsko

Saturday I head north of the Mason Dixon line and into Connellsville, Pennsylvania to cover the Phil Foley Memorial 5K. Phil Foley was a Connellsville resident who loved running and education, and Saturday marked the 24th year in which this race was held to honor his memory. Foley was a runner and a professor at Penn State (Fayette campus) and a runner in his free time. This race perfectly honors the memory of Foley with the benefiting A.G. Montessori School in Uniontown. The school is a nonprofit organization that educates children from the ages of two and a half to fifth grade.

The 5K course took participants along the Youghiogheny (know as the 'Yough' to locals) River Trail, with its many scenic view of the river it was a great spot to hold a race. That truly showed by the number of runner who showed up to race and honor Foley. At the starting line 124 runners and walker prepared for the out and back race. With perfect temperature and weather it was sure to be a fast race along the river trail.

Phil Foley 5K photo by JR Petsko

At the start two runners Ben Shinsky of Uniontown, PA and Wade Schnorr hometown boy from Connellsville start a pace that few others could match. As the leader went off down the trail a large pack was setting a fast pace behind them and not to forget about the other who were here just to have a good time.

With it being an out and back style course I could do nothing except wait for the runner to return and see how things worked out. It sure didn't take long before Shinsky was headed down the decline toward the finish, but he was not alone. Schnorr was just eight seconds back with less a half mile to go. Shinsky feeling the pressure from behind turned on the after burners and headed home to victory. Schnorr would take second overall.

Even after 24 years this race is looking to be around for years to come. Attendance was up this year proving that everyone loves being on the Yough Trail, and I don't blame them. There is so much beauty and history to be learned in this area. I hope you all take advantage of it sometime.

Sorry for not including full race results in the recap, but they were not available in time for my story. Thanks to everyone who help put on such a successful event, and hope to see you all next year for 25th memorial Phil Foley 5K.