Saturday, October 13, 2007 -- Oakland, MD / Broadford Lake Park
Autumn Glory 5K Run and 2Mile Walk for Sight (iPO Event Id#: 10329)

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

Autumn in All it's Glory
Story and photos by JR Petsko

Autumn Glory 5K
Photo by J.R. Petsko

The leaves are turning bright red and orange and the temperatures are starting to drop. That can only mean one thing, fall is upon us! With the fall season comes the annual Autumn Glory 5k in Oakland, Maryland at Broadford Lake Park. I arrived at the park just before 8:00 am and the fog was still lieing on the surface of the lake. With the midst covered lake and trees shown their beautiful fall color, and it was a breath taking sight. I could have spent the entire day taking photos of the scenic landscape.

Unlike the race the year before, a cold and windy day, today the weather was perfect for running. The winds where clam and the air was just a little cool. At 8:30 a.m. sharp the runners took off from the start and headed out on the course. I half expected to see the runners stop to take a look at the landscape around them, but these racers seemed to mean business.

Setting the pace out front was Andy Wilcox, Josh Hooke, Michael McConnell, and Cooper Thomas. As the four headed out around the lake, they continued to run in a tight group with one another. As they headed out along the course and into the trees. I lost sight of them, but continued to take photos of the participates behind them.

Autumn Glory 5K
Photo by J.R. Petsko

After the last runner trotted out of sight all I could do was wait because it was an out and back style course. Still, I didn't have to wait long before the leaders returned to sight.

Leading the field towards the finish was Josh Hooke. Andy Wilcox and Michael McConnell were hot on his trail. Hooke would cross the finish line first in a time of 18:00 flat to take the overall victory. Wilcox was able to hold onto second overall finishing in a time of 18:13 as McConnell finished fifteen more seconds back in 18:28 to take third. Cooper Thomas finished fourth crossing the line in 19:52. Josh Arnold took fifth in 19:53.

Local, Maureen Hall, took the victory for the women and finished the course in 20:32. Second went to Jen Sober who finished in 20:54 with Heather Landers taking third in a time of 22:41. Rounding out the top five for the women was Pat Hanline in fourth in 23:43 and Kelly Mahoney Smith in fifth with a time of 23:47.

Over 130 racers enjoyed the sights of Broadford Lake Park that day, with the grand prize of a Trek Mountain Bike going to one lucky participant. Thanks to all joined us for a wonderful fall day in Maryland.