x
  1. Home
  2.  Entertainment

5K race goes underground

| 17 Jun 2013 | 03:27
    Photos by John Church Justin Scheid of Sparta, on the underground portion of the course, finished first overall and first in the 20-29 age group with a time of 16:33.9.
    Photos by John Church Justin Scheid of Sparta, on the underground portion of the course, finished first overall and first in the 20-29 age group with a time of 16:33.9.
    Nancy Dolan of Ogdensburg finished first in the 70 to 79 year old division with a time of 54:21.1.
    Nancy Dolan of Ogdensburg finished first in the 70 to 79 year old division with a time of 54:21.1.
    Brian Lawrey of Andover, on the underground portion of the course, finished third in the 15-19 age group, with a time of 18:08.9.
    Brian Lawrey of Andover, on the underground portion of the course, finished third in the 15-19 age group, with a time of 18:08.9.
    Emma Cerra, 10, of Sparta (left) and Abigail Gowdy, 9, of New Milford wearing hard hats more for a fashion statement than for protection from low clearances in the mine.
    Emma Cerra, 10, of Sparta (left) and Abigail Gowdy, 9, of New Milford wearing hard hats more for a fashion statement than for protection from low clearances in the mine.
    Megan Goldstein of Oak Ridge (left) and Laura Haviland of Sparta leaving the mine.
    Megan Goldstein of Oak Ridge (left) and Laura Haviland of Sparta leaving the mine.
    Bill Washer of Ogdensburg, on the underground portion of the course, finished second in the 20-29 age group, with a time of 18:40.1.
    Bill Washer of Ogdensburg, on the underground portion of the course, finished second in the 20-29 age group, with a time of 18:40.1.
    Branden Vanderhoof of Sussex, on the underground portion of the course, finished first in the 15-19 age group, with a time of 17:24.7.
    Branden Vanderhoof of Sussex, on the underground portion of the course, finished first in the 15-19 age group, with a time of 17:24.7.
    Meghan Radimer of Branchville, on the underground portion of the course, finished first of the women and first in the 20-29 age group with a time of 21:00.7.
    Meghan Radimer of Branchville, on the underground portion of the course, finished first of the women and first in the 20-29 age group with a time of 21:00.7.
    Justin Scheid of Sparta, finished first overall and first in the 20-29 age group with a time of 16:33.9.
    Justin Scheid of Sparta, finished first overall and first in the 20-29 age group with a time of 16:33.9.
    Being tall, David Richmond of Sparta wore a hard hat supplied by the mining museum.
    Being tall, David Richmond of Sparta wore a hard hat supplied by the mining museum.
    David Degennaro of Hamburg, on the underground portion of the course, finished second in the 30-39 age group with a time of 20:25.0.
    David Degennaro of Hamburg, on the underground portion of the course, finished second in the 30-39 age group with a time of 20:25.0.

By John Church
OGDENSBURG — After years of planning, participants were able to run through the mine in the Ogdensburg 5K race Saturday morning.

Known as a ‘Major Race in a Miner Town’ the event went underground through the Sterling Hill Mining Museum tunnels.

“This was a three year mission to get the race going through the mine,” said Michael Blahut. “The Sterling Hill mine worked with us on it. We have the highest number of registered participants ever, 328.”

The runners were in the mine for a brief time but enjoyed the cool air. Recent heavy rains caused the mine’s ceiling to drip.

“It cooled them off, it was wet," Blahut said. "People said they liked water coming down because they were hot running in there. It worked out great for them.”

Course worker Scott Goldsworthy of the Ogdensburg First Aid had to stay in the drippy conditions until the last runner passed. He was the time keeper at the two mile mark which was inside the mine.

“My post is 150 feet inside the mine,” said Goldsworthy.

Runners that needed additional cooling after leaving the museum property ran through the spray station set up by the Ogdensburg Fire Department at the base of Passaic Street. The overall winner was Justin Scheid of Sparta with a time of 16:33.9. Meghan Radimer of Branchville was the first woman at 21:00.7.

Unique course
The course realignment through the mine was generally well received.

“I loved it,” said Alexandra Miller of Sparta. “When you first run in, it is hard to see because your eyes have to adjust to the darkness. I loved how cool it was.”

The width of the tunnels made it hard to pass. “It was so narrow,” said Miller.

First place finisher in the women’s division, Meghan Radimer of Branchville said the course was pretty good.

“I liked the mine part, but it was not easy," said Radimer. "Hard to see.”

The mine is wheelchair accessible but this is the first time visitors have run through it. Several commented on the irregular running surface and the puddles.

“I had never been through the mine,” said Lisa Legg of Montague. “I thought that was a nice twist.”

Race participants that want to take a slower, closer look at the mine can bring proof of their bib number and get free admission from June 15 until June 30.

For full race results visit bestrace.com. For more information on Sterling Hill Mining Museum visit sterlinghill.org.