Saturday, March 25, 2000 -- Philadelphia, PA
2nd Annual Rocky Run 5K
(Yo Adrian, Have You Seen My Sneakers?)
Story and photos by our Philly Representative, Joe Bertsch
[Details]
[Coverage]
[Overall Winners]
[Pic Set 1]
[Pic Set 2]
[Pic Set 3]
[Pic Set 4]
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The infamous steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum
Have you ever imagined yourself running up the famed Art Museum steps as
the famous fictitious character The Italian Stallion, Rocky Bowboa did
in Rocky I? Well, runners and walkers in the
2nd Annual Rocky Run
5K this past Saturday, March 25, 2000 got to do just that, well
almost that.
The race, which started at Lloyd Hall on Kelly Drive, was suppose to
culminate in a dash up the steps of the Art Museum. However, due to
the tremendous turn out of people and construction, the race ended up
back in front Lloyd Hall. Nevertheless, this small glitch in the plans
did not take away from the great atmosphere surrounding the race.
Both the Male and Female overall winners of the race would be crowned,
Champions of the Rocky Run 5K with authentic, Everlast boxing robes
just like "Sly" wore in the Rocky movie. All proceeds raised in the race were
donated to Christmas in April of Philadelphia, a volunteer-based
program dedicated to the rehabilitation of homes of low-income,
elderly and/or disabled homeowners.
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Feeling just fine on Kelly Drive just before the finish line
As the runners and walkers checked in and prepared for the race, they
were greeted by one the most motivating songs in the history of
sports, Rocky's theme, The Eye of the Tiger. It was a perfect day for
a 5K run in Philadelphia's beautiful Fairmount Park, along Kelly Drive
and
Boat House Row. The temperature was a pleasant 64 degrees with
some scattered clouds. With the gorgeous weather provided by Mother
Nature came lots of bikers, walkers and runners that were not in the
race. This posed as an additional obstacle for the 120 runners and
walkers along with those that they were competing against.
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A smooth, paved path for runners on the Rocky race course
As the race came into its eighteen minute the first runner could be seen
approaching the finish line.
Tim Lilieuthol, a reserve in the Marine
Cores attending school at St. Joseph's, was well ahead of the pack
finishing in a time of 18 minutes and 35 seconds. For Lilieuthol, a
Willow Grove, PA native, this is his first Rocky Run. Lilieuthol
stated that he has been running for about eight years starting in his
freshmen year of high school and "just loves to run, period."
My "Eye of the Tiger Award", and one of the most outstanding
performances of the day has to go to Kelly
Geraghty. Geraghty, a student at the Art Institute of
Philadelphia, came in an astonishing second place overall with a time
of 19 minutes and 12 seconds. This was also Geraghty's first Rocky
Run. Geraghty, who likes to train on her own, ran cross country and
in-door and out-door track in High School.
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Marv Levy has a strong finish at the Rocky Run
Another outstanding performance well worth mentioning was given by Marv and
Sue Levy in the 50 and over age category. Sue Levy won the female 50
and over category while her husband showed everyone that you're never
too
young to get up and run a 5K race. Both Sue and Marv showed
everyone that they have the hearts of an Italian Stallion.
As Mr. T (Clubbler Lang), said in the movie Rocky III, "I pity the
fool" who doesn't make it down to next year's 3rd Annual Rocky Run at
Philadelphia's Fairmount Park, along Kelly Drive.
Special Thanks: Goes out to Mandy Scheps for her
cooperation and hard work, and
www.races2run.com
for the overall winner results.
