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Smith, Rome Win Famed Race: Run For The Diamonds Sparkles Amid Pandemic

By mitchpa on December 31, 2020 • ( 0 )

by Clay Shaw

BERWICK, PA, NOVEMBER 26, 2020—It was a different vibe in 2020, with the pandemic shutting down many big running events. The Berwick Marathon Association implemented some changes to the format for the Thanksgiving Day nine-mile Run for the Diamonds. The first two waves were the top 200 men, and the second were the top 200 women. In order to be eligible for the diamond awards, one had to be in either of the first two (of five) start groups. The finish line was set up with nearly the entire length of Market Street. In years past, runners will remember the narrow gauntlet of spectators. In the social distancing year of 2020, this was not possible. A warmish (for November), morning made the outdoor packet pick-up and the brief awards a non-issue.

A large group of front-running men ran together to the bottom of the infamous Summerhill climb. Dylan Gearinger of Berwick took the lead for much of the uphill. Matt Gillette, a four-time champ made a surge and took over the lead for much of the mid-race miles. Simon Smith of Towanda, PA caught up to Gillette around mile 5. The two ran together until around mile 8, when Smith threw in a surge that Gillette did not match. Smith won in 45:20. Gillette was second in 45:43. Dominic Hockenbury of Harvey’s Lake, PA was third in 46:13. Daniel Schaffer of Endicott, NY was fourth in 46:16. Alex Price of Bethlehem was fifth in 46:16. Dylan Gearinger of Berwick was sixth in 46:42 and set a new Berwick record. Casey Ellis of Towanda, PA took the seventh and the final diamond in 46:46. Brock Butler of Chester Springs, PA took the “40” diamond in 49:50 and was 14^th overall. Nathan Hangey of Quakertown, PA won the “50” diamond in 56:14. Bob Reynolds of Wyndmoor, PA took the “60” diamond in 59:55 as he passed 2019 “60” champ Greg Cauller near the cemetery on the home stretch.

The top women started in their own wave, five minutes after the first wave. They had the disadvantage of having to race through the back of the Wave 1 men.

Regan Rome of Dallas, PA was the top woman finisher in 53:11. Zoe Matherne of Camp Hill, the 2018 champion, was second in 54:46. Marino Martino of Dallas, PA, the 2019 champion, was third in 54:48. Rosie Mascoli of Philadelphia was fourth in 55:32. Sierra Castaneda of Hackettstown, NJ was fifth in 55:56. Sayard Tanis of Jersey Shore, PA was sixth in 56:02. Clare Schoen of Scranton took the final and seventh place diamond in 56:41. Christy Peterson of Lansdale, PA was ninth overall and the “40” diamond winner in 57:47. Tanya Navarro of Seven Valleys, PA was the “50” winner in 1:07:08, Tanya was the 2016 York Marathon winner. Kate Fisher of Watsontown, PA was the “60” champ in 1:11:08.

623 finished in 2020, as a lot of runners opted for the virtual option in lieu of the live event. Congrats to the Berwick Marathon Committee for staging the live event in this difficult year.

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