Banging finish
SLIPPERY ROCK — Viktor Zahn of Slippery Rock saw his first-place finish in Saturday's Slippery Rock Rotary Club Firecracker 5K Run/Walk as a good first step.
Zahn, who will be a sophomore at Slippery Rock High School this fall, was the overall winner of the second annual race with a time of 22 minutes, 8 seconds. He sees it as good conditioning for running with the high school's cross country team this fall.
“I felt all right. It was a beautiful day. The course was really nice, not too many hills, nice scenery,” he said.
Zahn, who ran the mile and half-mile for the school's track team and lettered as a freshman, said he runs almost every day.
His father, James Zahn, wasn't surprised at his son's win.
“He just has a knack for running,” he said. “He's very self-motivated.”
The younger Zahn was one of 20 runners and walkers competing in the event, which began in 2019 and was canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
In addition to providing exercise for the participants, the race raised money for the Rotary Club's charities, said Karen Pierce of the Slippery Rock Rotary Club.
The proceeds will go to the Slippery Rock fire and rescue unit, the Slippery Rock Library and the summer lunch program, she said.
“It was a good turnout on short notice,” said Pierce. “We just didn't know with the shutdowns and lockdowns when we began planning this in May and June. That we had 20 participants was phenomenal.”
The course went down West Cooper Street to Stroughton Road and back. It kicked off at 7:15 a.m. and the last walkers crossed the finish line shortly after 8 a.m.
Prizes were awarded to the winners in categories: male and female in the 45-plus class, 30 to 44 class, 13 to 29 class and a single winner in 12-and-under class.
Rotary Club member Jim Pierce and Slippery Rock High School cross country coach Mike Hilliard monitored two checkpoints with water and first aid kits to ensure the runners and walkers' safety.
Leshui Chen of Portersville, a recent graduate of Slippery Rock High School, was running with her friend Maya Adams of Slippery Rock.
“I run a lot. I was on the Slippery Rock High School cross country team. We knew each other from the team,” said Chen.
Adams, who will be a senior in the fall, said she runs “for the sense of accomplishment you feel when you are done.”
Hilliard said while cross country training won't start until the beginning of August, the Firecracker 5K was a good way to get in some informal conditioning.
Asked what makes a good cross country runner, Hilliard said, “It's determination. It's the willingness to be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Zahn seems to have that determination to run.
Asked if he planned to enter any more races this summer, he said, “If I ever find out about one, I'll go.”
Top three runners overall:1. Viktor Zahn 22:082. Anthony Robare 24:003. LeShan Chen 27:42According to categories:Viktor Zahn was the winner for category of male age 13-29Top race in female age 45-plus was Jen Bickel 30:42Female age 30-44: Melissa Eckenrode 33:51Female 13-29, Split by two winners: LeShui Chen and Marie Bickel 28:05Female 12-and-under: Lylah Robare 32:47Top male runner age 30-44: Joseph Robare 32:47Top walkers (tie): Abby Smith and Phyllis Smith 46:34
