SUNBURY -- Stephen Thompson has yet to seriously start his summer training, and yet his resume since the end of school shows a pair of first-place finishes. Who knows what lies ahead once he begins to get into running shape?
On Saturday, the 2005 Shikellamy High School graduate and soon-to-be junior at Shippensburg University claimed the overall title in the 21st annual YMCA 5K Road Race with a record-breaking time of 16:50.08, breaking the mark of 17:11 set by last year's winner, Shawn Lively, of Allenwood.
Kara Stahl, of Mifflinburg, was the overall female winner in 20:07.78.
"I used this race to gauge where I am physically and where I need to start once my summer workouts begin," Thompson said. "I finished first in the Camp Cadet 5K in Lewisburg, but then took time off to relax and get re-energized, but you eventually have to start training again and this was a good indicator for me.
"I have certain goals set for next season at Shippensburg, and now my job is to get back into shape and work on getting my minutes down."
Thompson was an outstanding competitor while running for the Braves and finished fifth as a senior in the PIAA state meet.
For other runners like Scott Bailey, of Shamokin, it's all about getting your time down and meeting certain personal goals.
"I wish there was more time to run and train, but to me, getting around the 18-minute mark for one of these races would be fine," Bailey said. "This is enjoyable and an opportunity to still compete."
According to Sheila Packer, who was handling her ninth 5K as race director, there were 87 runners in Saturday's 3.1-mile run and all competitors were greeted with better-than-average weather conditions.
"To the people watching the race these conditions are great," said Thompson, who is an exercise physiology major. "But to me as a runner, it was hot out there."
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