by Clay Shaw

HARRISBURG, PA, MARCH 20, 2021—Samuel Gerstenbacher of Lancaster won the Lucky Charm 5K in 15:08, as he led a strong contingent of F & M runners, who placed five in the top ten. In the past, Lucky Charm races had occupied Second Street in Harrisburg prior to the St Patrick’s Day Parade. Sadly, the parade missed its second straight year. Races have moved to City Island and use the bridges and greenbelt. Race director Fred Joslyn started the elite runners in the first wave, so they could actually race each other. The following waves had 25 runners max every 10 minutes. Quite a bit of social distancing, but that’s how mid-sized races in mid-sized cities are allowed to happen live.

Zoe Matherne of Camp Hill won in 17:50. Matherne was the 2020 York White Rose 5 Mile Run champ. Lindsay Pridgen of Harrisburg was second in 20:32.  Paige Diehm of Lancaster was third in 22:13.

Josh Sadlock of Harrisburg was second in 15:20.  Chris McCabe of Mechanicsburg was third in 15:27. Christopher Myers of Lancaster was fourth in 15:47.  Scott McGeary of Harrisburg was fifth in 16:04. A strong men’s field led the 214 finishers on the Saturday edition of the race. The companion 10K was held on Sunday.

Top Women

1. 17:50 Zoe Matherne, 24, Camp Hill
2. 20:32 Lindsay Pridgen, 28, Harrisburg
3. 22:13 Paige Diehm, 32, Lancaster
4. 22:31 Sarah Weaver, 37, Hummelstown
5. 22:33 Allison Sauntry, 40, Edgewater, MD
6. 22:55 Jenn Fisher, 41, Middletown
7. 23:55 Katie Hook, 16, Elizabethtown
8. 24:58 Sharon Sheaffer, 42, Mechanicsburg
9. 25:09 Julia Warick, 30, Harrisburg
10. 25:11 Kendall Benini, 10, Mechanicsburg

Top Men

1. 15:08 Samuel Gerstenbacher, 23, L:ancaster
2. 15:20 Josh Sadlock, 31, Harrisburg
3. 15:27 Chris McCabe, 31, Mechanicsburg
4. 15:47 Christopher Myers, 23, Lancaster
5. 16:04 Scott McGeary, 32, Harrisburg
6. 16:10 Caleb Gatchell, 25, Lancaster
7. 16:12 Scott Roth, 37, Lancaster
8. 16:15 Jeremy Matula, 33, Lancaster
9. 16:21 David Schofield, 39, Dillsburg
10. 18:11 Jarrett Hoy, 23, Carlisle

Categories: Race Coverage

Tags: 2021, featured, Lucky Charm 5K