A Run to Remember

 

And they’re off for this year’s Run for the Hill of It.

Center, women’s champion Erin Franklin just after crossing the finish line.

The top finishers at this year’s race, left to right, Tom Haxton (3), Ryan Fennelly (2), Bryan Skelly (1) and Art DiCola (4).

 

Runners converging on Northwestern Avenue early Saturday morning for the 18th annual Run for the Hill of It 5 mile run and 1 mile fun walk were greeted by cloudy skies and no rain — perfect weather for a vigorous run down dusty Forbidden Drive to Valley Green Inn and back. After a pep talk and applause for this year’s beneficiary, Nate Makowicz, and his family, the race was on, and the first to cross the finish line 24 minutes and 31 seconds later was Philadelphia’s Bryan Skelly, followed closely by fellow Philadelphian Ryan Fennelly (24:33). Rounding out the top five were Tom Haxton (24:47) of Philadelphia, Art Dicola (25:04) of Bryn Mawr and Mike Padilla (25:59) of Phoenix, Pa.

The first woman to cross the line (24th overall) was Erin Franklin (28:59) of North Wales, followed by Leyna Williams (29:47) of Somerdale, NJ (33rd overall) and Connie Buckwalter (6:12) of Lititz (39th overall).

A total of 662 runners competed, according to official results.

— Photos and text by James Sturdivant