by Clay Shaw

YORK, PA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020—Never thought that our event in York, PA would be our biggest and most competitive event to photograph since the Atlanta Olympic Marathon Trials.  It’s true, and Karen and I were the race directors, and the preparation and uncertainty gave us second thoughts throughout the summer. It was tough.

As you know the pandemic came along Mid-March, and for us that canceled many great events that we love and cover for Runner’s Gazette.  Off the schedule were events in New York, Harrisburg, Gdynia (Poland), Washington DC, Lancaster, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Boulder, San Francisco, Provo, UT (event held, but we couldn’t go), Lancaster again, Utica, Wheeling, Chambersburg, York, Bird-In-Hand, Philadelphia (again)…yes, it’s been a rough 2020.  Races are small businesses, too, many to help non-profits.

We started 231 finishers with a cannon blast on Beaver Street in York’s Downtown Central Market District. (Please visit sometime and bring a mask.).  We had decorated Beaver Street with six-feet-apart dots for starting positions.  We opted for the “normal” start, as races do “social distance” by just being races.  Our race starts in the busiest part of York on a Saturday, “Market Day.” The course crosses several busy streets in all directions in the first mile of the race.  In two minutes Market Street is open, in three minutes King Street is open, and so forth.  Doing it safe and quick was our idea.  The packet pick-up was over three days on the outside venue of the White Rose Bar & Grill.  Masks were worn by staff and those picking up their packets.  The post-race party, was not a party or a gathering, but runners did line up (six feet apart) for individually wrapped sandwiches, and bottled or canned beverages.  Awards were done in a low-key manner with only the top five overall and top two masters being introduced.  Age-group winners, masked, picked up their award caps at the registration table. With a 250-runner limit on an in-person gathering, we also staged a virtual White Rose with over 100 registrants from all over the world and the USA.

Zoë Matherne of Camp Hill had a PR and won her second White Rose title in three years with a 29:09. Georganne Watson of Lititz, the 2019 champ, was a close second in 29:14.  Ann Mazur of Charlottesville, VA set the pace for the first half of the race, and placed third in 30:06.  It was Ann’s first race since the Atlanta Olympic Marathon Trials.  Sarah Delia of Lancaster was fourth in 32:47.  Alyssa Kennedy Dever of Reading was fifth in 32:49.  Shannon California of York was top Master in 35:07, followed closely by Megan Dodson, also of York in 35:19.

Christopher Myers of Lancaster (F & M Track Club), came over to York prior to the race to pick up his packet and run the course.  Myers put his “homework” to good use and led the race all the way, winning in 25:27.  Chris McCabe of Mechanicsburg was second in 25:51.  C Fred Joslyn of Boiling Springs was third in 26:00.  Scott McGeary of Harrisburg was fourth in 26:23.  Luis Miranda of Lebanon was fifth in 27:08.  Cem Aslan of Camp Hill was top master in 28:01.  Former race director, Ryan Myers of York was second master in 30:34.  All the aforementioned male runners not named Myers were part of the winning Fleet Feet Mechanicsburg team that also included women’s champ, Zoë Matherne.

The event is organized by the York Road Runners Club.  The hosting partner is the White Rose Bar & Grill.  The major sponsors are OSS Health, Flying Feet Sport Shoes, Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, CGA Law Firm, York Water Company, Floyd’s of Leadville, New Belgium Brewing, and Turkey Hill.  The event’s charity partner is Not One More—York Chapter. Runners donated almost $2000 to this important charity.

Save the Date: The 44th Running of the York White Rose is set for September 25, 2021, always the 4th Saturday in September.

Editor’s Note—RG’s Karen Mitchell and Clay Shaw are to be commended for putting on a very successful race during these difficult Covid-19 times. Thank you to all of the volunteers, sponsors, and runners.–FSC

Top Women

1. 29:09 Zoe Matherne, 24, Camp Hill, PA
2. 29:14 Georganne Watson, 35, Lititz, PA
3. 30:06 Ann Mazur, 34, Charlottesville, VA
4. 32:47 Sarah Delia, 34, Lancaster, PA
5. 32:49 Alyssa Kennedy Dever, 27, Reading, PA
6. 33:18 Kristin Snider, 34, New Cumberland, PA
7. 33:40 Joanna Hayes, 34, Dillsburg, PA
8. 34:07 Jill Regets, 33, Pittsburgh, PA
9. 34:33 Teal Liu, 34, Hershey, PA
10. 34:35 Arynne Moody, 34, Gardners, PA
11. 34:54 Nicole Register, 17, Jacobus, PA
12. 35:07 Shannon California, 44, York, PA
13. 35:19 Megan Dodson, 44, York, PA
14. 36:01 Kelly McKinley, 42, York, PA
15. 36:04 Emily Nelson, 23, Mechanicsburg, PA

Top Men

1. 25:27 Christopher Myers, 22, Lancaster PA
2. 25:51 Chris McCabe, 30, Mechanicsburg, PA
3. 26:00 C Fred Joslyn, 36, Boiling Springs, PA
4. 26:23 Scott McGeary, 32, Harrisburg, PA
5. 27:09 Luis Miranda, 30, Lebanon, PA
6. 27:23 David Schofield, 38, Mechanicsburg, PA
7. 27:58 Peter Weida, 27 Lancaster, PA
8. 28:01 Cem Aslan, 44, Camp Hill, PA
9. 28:33 Colby Clinton, 33, York, PA
10. 28:36 Thomas Urrunaga, 17, York, PA
11. 28:41 John Matthews, 25, Lancaster, PA
12. 29:03 Flimon Kesete, 17, Harrisburg, PA
13. 29:46 Connor Stengel, 28, Carlisle, PA
14. 29:53 Travis Soprano, 31, Mt Holly Springs, PA
15. 30:34 Ryan Myers, 44, York, PA

Categories: Race Coverage

Tags: 2020, featured, White Rose, York White Rose Run, yorkwhiteroserun