Sunday, May 27, 2007 -- Point Marion, PA
Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K - MAGP Sprint #4 (iPO Event Id#: 10047)

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

Coverage: [2000] [2001] [2002] [2003] [2004] [2005] [2006]

Story and photos by JR Petsko

Albert Gallatin 5K by JR Petsko

Sunday, the Morgantown Area Grand Prix (MAGP) Series ran across the Mason Dixon line for a stop in Point Marion, Pennsylvania for round 4 of the Sprint Series. For iPlayOutside it was the eighth year of coverage for the Albert Gallatin Regatta 5K, so I had a good idea of the great racing that I was in store for.

My only concern for the day was the heat. For the last week, the east coast had been experiencing high temps and I wondered if that would keep some running at home in the air conditioning. About 30-minutes before race time my question was answered. The line at the registration table was 15 people deep.

I shouldn't have been surprised by the high turn out for two reasons.

Albert Gallatin 5K by JR Petsko

First, the proceeds from this race went to a great cause, benefiting Ken Frankenberry ( Ken is a Point Marion resident and long time member of the WV Track Club, who is afflicted with Lou Gehrig's Disease) and Friends of The Park benefiting The Point Marion Community Park. Second, runners from the MAGP series just aren't afraid of a little heat.

As the racers prepared for the start of the event I decided to be a little crafty with my photos by taking them on the old iron bridge that exits Point Marion. It wasn't long before the first runners made their way there.

Leading the field was Ryan Skotnicki of Morgantown, West Virginia. Ryan was being followed closely by Larry Taylor of Fayetteville, WV, Adam Frohnapfel of Morgantown, WV and Jobey Knapton of Fairmont, WV.

Albert Gallatin 5K by JR Petsko

The early women's lead was held by Heather Parks of Bruceton Mills, WV who was running in the top five overall all at this point in the race. Keeping Park's in her sites was Hallina Portner of Morgantown, WV running a great pace herself with Jennifer Sirockman of Masontown, WV holding down third in the women field early on. As the rest of the participants covered over the Monongalia River to the western banks the runner make a sharp right out of site. The road on the other side of the bridge offered runners a great deal on shade out on the course, and with temperatures in the mid eighties shade was in high demand.

It was only a few minutes before Ryan Skotnicki made his way back to my position. Skotnicki was able to put some time in between himself and Larry Taylor. Skotnicki would end up taking the overall win in a time of 15:57.70. Taylor was able to hold on to the second position in a time of 17:13.59 despite the efforts of Adam Frohnapfel finishing just a few seconds back in 17:17.22. Jobey Knapton locked down the fourth overall position crossing the line in 17:31.06.

Albert Gallatin 5K by JR Petsko

Hot on Knapton heals was the overall female finisher Heather Parks finishing in 17:35.78 to take the women's overall title. Parks performed very well at this year's Boston Marathon finishing as the 40th woman in the US Women's Marathon Championship.

Hallina Portner held down the second overall spot coming home in 19:01.82. Portner was followed by Jennifer Sirockman who placed third overall finishing in a time of 19:21.18.

For the walker's it was Matthew Ptacek of Connellsville, PA placing first in a time of 29:49.42, and for the women it was Linda Keller of Waynesburg, PA who was first across the line.