History repeated itself in the fourth annual Pittsylvania XC Challenge on November 9 at Frick Park.

Lauren Shaffer of West Allegheny High–back in 1999–followed up her Pennsylvania State win by taking the Challenge in 32:13.

Christine Taranto of West Allegheny used the same script this year by following up her state win with a Challenge victory.

Christine’s quick 30:56 shaved 1:17 off Lauren’s course record and would have given her a tenth in the men’s race.
Former Pitt start Jim Hamilton, honorary chair for this year’s Challenge, coached Lauren and now coaches Christine.

Three West Virginia runners staged a wire-to-wire battle in the men’s race with former West Virginia University ace Jeff Gorman winning.

Next came defending 16-19 champion Justin Simpson and twin brother Josh of Oak Glen High, WV.

Justin and Josh repeated their blanket finish from the West Virginia State meet that saw them finish 1-2.

West Penn Track Club runners swept the 40-plus titles thanks to Sandy Onofray (2nd overall) and Carl Hubel (4th overall).

Nine runners–five men and four women–broke age-group records. And three runners established records.

2K Men

8-9: Jeff Turner of Pittsburgh ran 9:39 to break the 9:57 record set by Chris Nabors of Mt. Lebanon in 2001.

10-11: Kevin May of the West Penn Track Club ran 7:48 to break the 9:17 record set by teammate Mike Harwick in 1999.

2K Women

5-and-under: Katie Harwick of the West Penn Track Club ran 12:29 to establish a record.

8-9: Deirdre Love of Pittsburgh ran 9:55 to break the 10:26 record set by Mary Harwick of the West Penn Track Club in 1999.

4K Women

14-15: Annie Leckenby of the West Penn Track Club ran 18:53 to break the 19:39 record set by teammate Jenn Moore in 1999.

8K Men

45-49: Carl Hubel of the West Penn Track Club ran 28:24 to break the 29:29 record he set in 2001.

50-54: Dave Sobal of the West Penn Track Club ran 31:49 to break the 34:27 record set by teammate Dave Bowser in 2000.

60-64: Grant Anderson of Pittsburgh ran 49:25 to establish a record.

70-74: Elmer Gasper of the West Penn Track Club ran 57:24 to break the 1:13:36 record set by Marvin Kaufman of the Washington County Road Runners Club in 1999.

8K Women

16-19: Christine Taranto of the West Penn Track Club ran 30:56 to break the 32:13 record set by teammate Lauren Shaffer in 1999.

20-24: Deborah Glosser of the West Penn Track Club ran 39:28 to break the 41:14 record set by teammate Betsy Schauer in 2000.

60-64: Keiko MacDonald of the West Penn Track Club ran 54:26 to establish a record.

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• WPTC Member Wins 2007 Run Around the Square
• Fast Times, a Tie, and West Penn Dominance Delivered at HealthAmerica XC
• Youngsters Break into Record Book at Pittsylvania Run
• Host West Penn Track Club Dominates at Pittsylvania XC Challenge
• West Penn Runners Make Up Half of Pittsylvania Mile Field; Race’s First Married Couple Celebrate Sweep
• West Penn Breaks Six Records, Establishes Two at Pittsylvania Mile Run; Rogus, Nemeth Win Event
• Increased Participation Leads to More Record-Setting Performances at Pittsylvania Mile Run
• West Penn Cleans Up at Pittsylvania 5K
• Sobal Decimates 50-54 Record at Pittsylvania Mile
• Increased Participation and Broken Records Story of Pittsylvania Mile Run
• WPTC Member First Masters Finisher at Great Race
• Tom Abott Profiled as Perfect Great Racer
• WPTC Member Wins Age Group at Parkersburg Half Marathon
• PA Sports Hall of Fame Induction
• 2006 Club Athletes-of-the-Year
• 2006 Club Volunteers Recognized
• 2005 Top Athletes and Volunteers
• 2005 U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Masters
• Club Members Capture "Gold" at 2005 Senior Summer Games
• Flagstaff Hill
• 2005 Boston Marathon
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• Barry Harwick in Post Gazette's "Where are They Now" Series
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• WPTC Member finishes 2nd at the USATF 50 Mile Trail Championship
• XC Challenge Results
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This entry was posted on Sunday, November 10th, 2002 at 10:14 am and is filed under Results, Achievements, Members. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.