Shull-David hosts annual Lehighton zombie race
Tessa Bevilacqua, left, was the first female finisher in the Shull-David Zombie Zoom Run/ Walk in Lehighton on Saturday. Marc Waslesyn, right, was the first overall finisher. Both live in Jim Thorpe.
Participants begin the fourth annual Shull-David School Zombie Zoom Run/Walk under an inflated monster in Lehighton on Saturday. Jim Blakeslee, a coordinator, said about 100 people participated. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
Chase Lobasso, left, age 7, and his brother, Ty, 4, both of Lehighton, have makeup applied to look like zombies as they participate in fourth annual Shull-David Zombie Zoom Run held in Lehighton on Saturday. RON GOWER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS
The name is frightening but the event is fun.
The fourth annual "Skull David Zombie Zoom," a 5K run/walk sponsored by the Shull-David Elementary School PTO of Lehighton was held along the D&L Trail in Lehighton on Saturday. Some participants wore the zombie look, but most were either attired in happy-themed costumes or participated in regular running clothes.
Mary Lichtenwalner, president of the Shull-David PTO, said the event was started by a group of fourth-grade parents as a way to raise money for the school’s fourth-grade class that would be moving to the Lehighton Area Middle School. She coordinated the race with Danielle Andreas.
When the fourth-grade parents started the race, they used proceeds to present the class with gifts such as gym bags, yearbooks and a small ceremony.
"Proceeds raised from this event went just to the fourth-grade class," she said.
"This year, since the fourth-graders will be remaining at the new elementary center, the funds raised will benefit all the students."
Participants including members of the Jim Thorpe High School cross-country team, children wearing costumes, people with faces painted or decorated like zombies, men and women in running shorts, Shull-David faculty members wearing bright yellow shirts that had smiley faces on them and veteran long-distance runners.
Some ran with their dogs. A few pushed babies in strollers the length of the race. The first person to cross the finish line was Marc Waslesyn, a Jim Thorpe cross-country runner wearing a tutu, in 20:13. He was followed by Michael Rodriguez, a Lehighton cross-country runner, finished in 21:10 and Ryan Bailor in 21:20.
Former Carbon County District Attorney Gary Dobias, running in the 60-plus category, was about fifth crossing the line.
He was serious about his running, saying, "Nobody over 40 finished before I did."
The race had its start and finish beneath a blown-up monster.
The emcee for the program was retired teacher Joe Mogilski.
A special prize was given to a group of Shull-David teachers for best group costume.
Stacey Hines of Lehighton finished the race as the fastest walker for the fourth year in a row.
The list of winners is:
Male winners
Overall: 1. Marc Waslesyn, 20:13, 2. Michael Rodriguez, 21:10, Ryan Bailor 21:20.
Age 5-7: Philip Krupa.
Age 8-9: 1. Gabe Wirth, 2. Alfred Bravo.
Age 10-12: 1. Jordan Wasleyn, 2. Alexander Thomas, 3. Ethan Heiser.
Age 13-15: 1. Aiden Clements, 2. Logan Lichtenwalner, 3. Logan Pachulski.
Age 30-39: 1. Brian Serfass, 2. Josh Nenscel, 3. Christopher Biehl.
Age 40-49: 1. Keith Pacholski, 2. Walter Bevilauqua, 3. Andrew Yenser.
Age 50-59: 1. John Aleszcysk.
Age 60-plus: 1. Gary Dobias, 2. Bill Granche.
Walkers: 1. Stacey Hines, 2. Callie Krupa, 3. Dawn Granche.
Female winners
Overall: 1. Tessa Bevilacqua, 23:42, 2. Megan Rosahac, 23:44, 3. Olivia Renode, 24:10.
Age 5-7 : 1. Kennedy Quinn, 2. Ali Linko.
Age 8-9: 1. Lilly Andreas, 2. Leah Heiser, 3. Kailea Thomas.
Age 10-12: Lorah Thomas, 2. Olivia Thomas, 3. Morgan Shaffer.
Age 13-15: Isabella Acker.
Age 20-29: 1. Amber Wirth, 2. Meghan Snyder.
Age 30-39: 1. Christina Bravo, 2., Rachel Quinn, 3. Danielle Andreas
Age 40-49: 1. Jennifer Lobasso, 2. Katy Decker, 3. Kim Nenscel
Age 50-59: 1. Karen Ziegenfuss, 2. Coleen Harleman, 3. Angie Aleszcyzk.
