FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Brooks
(814) 274-3365
Banchy wins 33rd God's Country Marathon
The 33rd Annual God's Country Marathon in scenic Potter County, PA was held
Saturday, June 2, 2007. Crossing the finish line first was 40-year-old
Thomas Banchy of Baltimore, Md., the only runner to finish under the
three-hour mark. Banchy crossed the finish line at the courthouse square in
Coudersport at 2:49.41, more than 12 minutes ahead of the runner-up.
The heat on Saturday played a factor, especially for last years' winner Tom
Lipsie of Indiana, Pa. Lipsie was leading the pack for almost half of the
race when the weather effected him allowing Banchy to take the lead.
Lipsie who has one the last 3 out for 4, finish fifth overall with a time
of 3:07.00.
Finishing second for the men was Doug Craft, Punxsutawney, PA, finishing at
3:02:15. Followed by Cory Fulmer, Marion Center, PA, with a time of
3:04:02.
Leading the women was 41-year-old Tatiana Maslova of Huntingon, PA,
finishing 7th overall with a time of 3:14:57. Followed closely by
Christine Rockey, Conway, SC with a time of 3:16:48. Rounding out the top
three women was a local woman from Coudersport, Christine Keglovits with a
time of 3:45:04.
The God's Country Marathon had 164 runners registered for Saturday's race,
rated as on one of the top-ten toughest courses in the country by Runners
World Magazine, it seems the title is well deserved as only 147 runners
made it to the finish line. Heat and humidity combined with the infamous
Denton Hill caused many to drop from the race.
The complete results can be found at www.godscountrymarathon.com. The God's
Country Marathon is sponsored by the Potter County Visitors Association.
Interesting Race Notes:
* Retired Army officer Wayne Wright, 58, of Melbourne, Fla., completed the
rugged 26.2-mile course just two months after undergoing quadruple heart
bypass surgery.
* Paul Marraccini, 64, of Monongahela and 63-year-old Park Barner of
Harrisburg continued their tradition of completing every God's Country
Marathon since the race's inception in 1974.
* Wesley O'Loughlin, 22, of Ridley Park made a triumphant return from
multiple leg fractures he suffered when he was struck by a car while
training for last year's race.
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