2023 Tussey Teaser #1: 20th Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K
- Details
- Last Updated: 05 March 2023 05 March 2023
March 4, 2023
Rothrock State Forest
by Mike Casper
Temperatures in the mid-thirties and strong winds greeted runners on Bear Meadows Road as skiers zigzagged down the slopes behind the lodge at Tussey Mountain. The route had been bone dry earlier this week, but – almost a race tradition – runners had slush and some ice to traverse this year.
Caeden Smith took the overall win. Matt Balogh was first in the men’s category, with Arvind Gupta placing second and Cam Mallett third. Kaylee Frederick won the women’s category, with Crystal McNeal in second and Becky Brigman in third.
Several runners bettered their times from last year’s icy foray. Brent McNeal took 42 seconds off, Crystal McNeal took 25 seconds off, Jeff Schiesler took 5½ minutes off, and Brian Brown took 11 minutes off.
One runner brought used shoes for Sneakers4Good and $50 in donations were made to the Tussey Mountainback’s 2023 event beneficiary, Nittany Greyhounds. Thank you!
Thanks to Doan’s Bones and Webster’s Café for random prizes.
Kudos to Daniel Shevock, who took the chance and traded his planned training run for this race. Follow his account of the adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXS5y3NjzL4
Those who run Tussey Teasers #1 through #5 (February’s Teaser #0 was a bonus) will received a special prize and be eligible for a grand prize. The winner will be drawn on June 18 immediately after Teaser #5, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon.
The next Tussey Teaser, on April 6, is the Tussey-to-Whipple 11 Miler, run on Legs 1 through 3 of the original Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK course. Since this is a point-to-point run starting at Tussey Mountain, we encourage runners to arrange for post-race transportation from the finish at the beach road at Whipple Dam State Park.
Runners are encouraged to bring their gently used running shoes to be collected at each run for a program called Sneakers4Goodthat supports micro-entrepreneurs in communities and countries around the world.
For more information about Nittany Greyhounds, visit https://www.tusseymountainback.com/beneficiary
For details, driving directions and waiver forms for the 4 remaining Tussey Teasers, visit http://www.tusseymountainback.com/tussey_teasers.html. We hope to see you there – just for the hill of it!
Runners line up for the start of the race.
Caeden Smith cruises the homestretch in search of more pixels on the final switchback on Lauren Run Road.
Deciding to go for it just 25 minutes before start time, Jordan DeVault ran her first-ever 10K today.
Mark Burgan reaches the finish line in his first race ever. What a beginning!
Kaylee Frederick and Caeden Smith took top honors in the women’s and men’s categories.
Overall Order of Finish
Place First Last Gen Age Town State Time
----- ----- ---- --- --- ---- ----- ----
1 Caeden Smith M 22 State College PA 42:30
2 Arvind Gupta M 27 State College PA 47:44
3 Cam Mallett M 25 State College PA 49:03
4 Kaylee Frederick F 18 Johnstown PA 55:18
5 Doug Doren M 67 State College PA 57:21
6 Shane Newhouser M 39 Port Matilda PA 58:07
7 Brent McNeal M 42 Huntingdon PA 59:07
8 Crystal McNeal F 40 Huntingdon PA 59:22
9 John Messner M 55 State College PA 59:41
10 Becky Brigman F 35 State College PA 1:00:31
11 Paul Brigman M 40 State College PA 1:02:39
12 Lauren Katch F 23 State College PA 1:03:11
13 Jeff Schiesler M 67 Port Matilda PA 1:04:16
14 Georgetta Frederick F 41 Johnstown PA 1:11:49
15 Jordan DeVault F 25 State College PA 1:18:01
16 Mark Burgan M Johnstown PA 1:18:06
17 Daniel Shevock M 47 State College PA 1:25:31
18 Brian Brown M 48 Lewisburg PA 1:25:49