If you tell a woman she can’t, there’s an almost certain chance that she will. Anyone who’s read a history book, or has a sister, should already know this.
Even running, one of the most inclusive sports you can find today, has a long history of saying no to women.
With competition dating back to 776 B.C. at the ancient Games in Greece, running had been a men’s-only event until less than 100 years ago when the IOC approved a 100-meter women’s race for the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam.
It wasn’t until 1967 that a woman had run the hallowed Boston Marathon as an officially-registered competitor. It was somewhat of an obstacle course race for Kathrine Switzer, who was famously photographed running through race officials trying to swipe away her race bib to disqualify her from competition.
Now, fast forward to last week’s world-renowned Barkley Marathons: A five-loop torture fest at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee inspired by the 1977 prison escape of MLK Jr. assassin James Earl Ray. To be perfectly fair, Lazarus Lake didn’t create an event that discriminates against women, but rather one that discriminates against all of humanity.
Going into last week’s Barkley Marathons, the race had never seen a female finisher, dating back to its inaugural 100-mile race in 1989. But just when it seemed like the law of science itself was ready to count women out, British runner Jasmin Paris did the unthinkable: She completed the Barkley Marathons.
Paris, a 40-year-old mother of two, completed the race with less than 100 seconds to spare in the 60-hour time limit.
In the days, months, and even years to come, I look forward to reading and learning the full story of her journey through the rugged mountains. But for now we’re left with an image of Paris, collapsed at the famous “yellow gate” finish line. She is wearing the exhausted face of someone who has traveled to hell and back, but you can feel from the photo a sense of achievement, much like Sylvester Stallone at the end of “Rocky.”
It’s one of those iconic sports images that will be burned into my memory forever, just like Kerri Strug landing the vault on an injured ankle at the 1996 Olympics, or Brandi Chastain ripping off her shirt in celebration after scoring a goal at the 1999 World Cup.
Pure goosebumps.
Thanks to Jasmin Paris, our imaginations are once again left to wonder: Is there anything in this world that a woman “can’t” do?
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
If you’re new to running the hills of Franklin County, they have been known to wear a runner out. The flip side to that coin is those hills can be manipulated into some fast times if you’re willing to expend a little energy.
Locals showcased this mastery of the hills in their backyard 13.1-mile race: The Chambersburg Half Marathon.
Jonah Smith, of Smithsburg, was the fastest runner from the Local.News area at the race, finishing fourth in 1:15:50. Smith was chased by Greencastle’s Jarrett Gelsinger (1:27:15) and Chambersburg’s Eyoel Delessa (1:27:28). Those weren’t the only area standouts as smoking-fast times were also recorded by Chambersburg’s Michael Day (1:28:16), Josh Blankenship (1:30:13), Rachel Stone (1:33:09), James Kinton (1:39:03), Cadie Kiser (1:39:46), and Jeff Cottone (1:48:16), Greencastle’s Matthew Smith (1:33:38), Jordan Statler (1:42:14), Cort Bradley (1:44:37), and Bill Hengst (1:44:40), Waynesboro’s Chad Vaughn (1:34:52), and Fayetteville’s Nicholas Signorella (1:43:20).
In Hagerstown, Md., former Waynesboro and Bloomsburg star Kyle Phillips showed that he still has plenty of pop in his legs, even at the ripe old age of 30. Phillips ran away for victory in 26:13 at the St. Patricks’ Day 8K, blazing through the race at a 5:17/mile pace. Phillips was joined in the Top 10 by Smithsburg’s Michael Wynkoop (4th in 30:02), while other notable times were posted by Fayetteville’s Zara Ward (44:32) and Mollie Yardley-Gontz (44:32).
Also in Hagerstown, the St. Patrick’s Day 5K featured nearly 400 runners, including several locals. The area’s top times were posted by Smithsburg’s Jonathan Kisas (22:11), Greencastle’s Clint Rice (24:17) and Jalene Hummer (24:40), as well as Chambersburg’s Catie Caldwell (27:17).
Yuengling Shamrock Marathon weekend, held in Virginia Beach, Va., featured a number of sparkling performances from area runners. Chambersburg’s Matt Kuhns led locals on back-to-back days after posting a 37:37 at the Shamrock 8K and a 1:48:04 at Shamrock Half Marathon. Brooke Schellhase, of Fayetteville, cruised to a time of 3:41:21 at the Shamrock Marathon.
Fayetteville’s Todd Barton was the top area finisher at the St. Patrick’s Day 5K in Shippensburg, taking sixth overall in 24:38. Barton was chased by female Masters winner Danielle Portier, also from Fayetteville, who clocked in at 27:08. Other top finishers from the race include Chambersburg’s Jennifer Einherst (28:00), Christine Metcalfe (28:22), and Craig Leisher (28:44).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s James Clapsaddle (2:31:54 at NYC Half Marathon), Greencastle’s Mark Taylor (26:13 at Gold Rush 5K), Kyle Matulevich (1:50:33 at Fire on the Rocks 10K), and Dennis Land (1:51:13 at Marine Corps 17.75K), Chambersburg’s Justin Shuhayda (34:46 at Ocean City Shamrock 5K), Audry Baumgardner (1:12:05 at Run North Myrtle Beach 10K), and Kirk Baumgardner (2:07:45 at Run North Myrtle Beach Half Maratho).
And now, a look ahead:
Capital 10 Miler: Saturday, 8:15 a.m., in Harrisburg. Soak in the scenery while running along the riverfront, through the Capital Area Greenbelt, and over the scenic bridges above the Susquehanna River. Learn more at capital10-miler.com.
Martins Mill Covered Bridge 5 Miler: Saturday, April 6, 8 a.m., in Greencastle. Compete on a beautiful and historic course in this race, put on by the Greencastle Flyers. Register for the event on runsignup.com.
Buck Ridge Burn 5K/10K/Half: Sunday, April 7, 9 a.m., in Gardners. This challenging trail run will be followed with food and live music. Learn more at buckridgeburn.com.
Also: Bolt for Bolts 5K (Saturday, in Littlestown); Bunny 5K/10K/Half (Saturday, in Harrisburg); Lebanon Cedars Spring Fling 5K (Saturday, in Lebanon); Chazak Endeavor 5 Miler (Saturday, April 6, in Lancaster); Eagleton Trail Challenge 10K/25K/50K (Saturday, April 6, in Lock Haven); Pirate 5K/10K (Saturday, April 6, in New Cumberland); Scranton Half Marathon (Saturday, April 6, in Scranton); Cancer Crushin’ 5K (Sunday, April 7, in Jacobus).
