For three years my friend Matt Sharp has been on a quest to uncover the best male and female specimens that humanity has to offer.
It’s an idea that was cooked up in a welder’s shop, using a process that can only be perfected in a Perry County backyard.
Sharpie’s Third Annual Man Fest event was once again a resounding success. More than 30 competitors gathered outside his garage and grinded through a marathon day that ultimately raised more than $900 for charity. Man Fest is barely a week in the rearview mirror, but participants are already eager for the 2026 event, and for good reason: The multi-game tournament has a little something for everyone.
Strength is the name of the game in arm wrestling, while technical skill is required for the axe throwing competition. The target shooting and archery events satisfied the marksmen in the field, while pub games like pool, darts and beer pong were hotly contested by all.
Teamwork was put to the test in cornhole and a 7v7 tug of war tourney, while curses could be heard county-wide from the chip shot golf challenge. The beer chug and home run derby competitions drew plenty of laughs, especially when the events were staged back-to-back.
The day lasted more than 12 hours, but it built toward an exciting late-night finish where every consolation-round match had a big say in the final outcome. Through competition, bonds were formed and fellowship was shared. It was a day that the participants will be talking about for years to come.
However — and perhaps I’m speaking from the perspective of a frustrated 16th-place finisher — Man Fest was missing one key ingredient. Long-time readers of Foot Notes should know exactly what that ingredient is: Running.
Centuries before all the events at Sharpie’s tournament were even invented, mankind has relied on running for hunting and survival. It’s not only a test of endurance, but mental fortitude as well. To me running is a sport that, in a matter of minutes, can expose the courage of a man.
If I were in charge of Man Fest, I’d start bright and early with a mile out-and-back run down the hilly country road. Alternatively we could do cross country laps around Sharpie’s property, or perhaps timed sprints.
While I respect the men in this field that can snap my arm off like a twig, I’d love to see if those big dudes could keep up with me in a distance event. This is a selfish request, sure, but regardless it would provide an essential metric toward determining the optimal man or woman.
Sharpie, if you’re reading this, strap on those shoes and make this happen!
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Rothrock State Forest was no match for Waynesboro’s Rheeanna Walters, who showcased her ultra-running talents at last weekend’s Tussey MountainBack 50 Mile in Boalsburg.
Walters, 49, blasted through the race with a PR time of 9:52:15 to win the Masters Division. She called the day, “epic.”
Walters wasn’t the only area trail runner who has shined in recent weeks.
The Boulder Dash 5K/5 Mile included several local standouts. Hagerstown’s Bryce Gates (2nd in 38:29) and Jason McCollum (6th in 44:39) landed Top 10 finishes in the five-mile race, as did Greencastle’s Jennifer Dickinson (8th in 48:43). Top finishers in the 5K included Hagerstown’s Stephen Brooks (3rd in 24:01) and Joshua Grove (5th in 25:15), as well as Greencastle’s Alex Ruzbacki (9th in 29:22).
In Hancock, Maryland, Buzz Sawyer Western Maryland Marathon Weekend drew the attention of several locals, including Hagerstown’s Harol Samir Baca Ponce, who conquered the marathon in 2:51:09. He was chased to the finish line by Hagerstown’s Bryan Seifarth (4th in 3:04:28), Anthony Chaney (8th in 3:22:07), and Allie Isaacs (10th in 3:26:42). The half marathon featured sharp finishes from Waynesboro’s Kevin Smith (1:48:08), Hagerstown’s Travis Isaacs (1:59:44), and Greencastle’s Jordan Carroll (2:08:16). The area’s top finisher in the Buzz Sawyer 10K was Ryan Rasco, of Hagerstown, who finished second overall in 35:41.
Closer to home, in Orrtanna, the Adams County Haunted Wine Run 5K challenged its field of 301 runners with a technically-challenging race. Fairfield’s Shane Sykes took third overall in 24:58 and was chased to the finish line by Chambersburg’s Zally Price (7th in 28:10), Amanda Seibert (8th in 28:19), and Jeffrey Hege (30:18), and Fayetteville’s Aaron Smith (30:00) and Darren Tolbert (31:16).
In Waterfall, the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike took center stage for the two-day End of the Road Half Marathon. The first race was highlighted by solid finishes from Waynesboro’s Jeffrey Hein (2:09:50) and Fayetteville’s Megan Mull (2:25:37), while the second race featured sub-2 finishes from Fort Loudon’s Dennis “Neal” Reamer (1:48:02) and Chambersburg’s Alex Ruquet (1:51:48) and Cliff Ocker (1:58:32). The companion race One Tunnel 4 Miler saw Fayetteville’s Brian Portier clock a 35:30 to win the 45-49 AG.
The renowned Marine Corps Marathon in Arlington, Virginia, drew more than 30,000 runners, including several speedy area finishers: Chambersburg’s Michael Day (3:05:49), Fayetteville’s Nicholas Signorella (3:26:27), Waynesboro’s Benjamin Royer (3:53:44), and Hagerstown’s Caroline Littman (3:55:35).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Waynesboro’s Camryn Bonner (1:11:29 at Run Ocean Isle 10K), Jeffrey Januchowski (1:56:14 at Urban Bourbon Half Marathon), Jennifer Esposito (3:18:57 at Haunted Forest Half Marathon), and Hannah Knepper (2:15:37 at Bethlehem Half Marathon), Greencastle’s Matthew Smith (1:33:58 at Fleet Feet Half Marathon) and Lindsay Bingaman (6:56:56 at Call of the Wilds 50K), Fayetteville’s Allison List (21:54 at Pumpkins in the Park 5K), Chambersburg’s Grant Swisher (19:58 at Cats & Bats Haunted 5K), Mark Ward (26:20 at Lexus 5K), Austin Mitts (1:02:07 at Baltimore 10K), and Katy Ritchey (5:07:49 at Run Roanoke Trail Marathon), Fairfield’s Tyler Warner (20:53 at Pink Ribbon 5K), Ronald Black (57:02 at Black Hill 10K), and Helene Rush (2:38:32 at Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon), Hagerstown’s Thomas Williams (24:42 at Ghost 5K), Charity Parrott (25:27 at Deep Hollow 5K), Carlos Huaman (1:59:52 at Fall Backyard Burn Trail Run 10 Mile), and Steven McCarty (2:53:21 at Mount Desert Island Half Marathon), and Cascade’s Michael Manning (31:48 at Run to the Rescue 5K).
And finally, a shoutout to Smithsburg’s Jonah Smith and Hagerstown’s John Brown, who posted exceptional times at the Baltimore Half Marathon. Smith finished in 1:16:52, while Brown crossed the finish line in 1:19:02. The Baltimore Marathon included top finishes from Chambersburg’s Ian Reid (3:43:40) and Greencastle’s Maddie Burniak (3:49:12).
And now, a look ahead:
Go Girls Go 5K: Saturday, 9 a.m., in Chambersburg. All runners are welcome to take on this semi-annual race, which supports Go Girls Go, a local after-school girls’ empowerment and running program. Register for the event on timberhilltiming.com.
Fire on the Mountain 25K/50K: Sunday, in Little Orleans, Md. Green Ridge State Park will serve as the backdrop for this challenging race, put on by 2LoweRunCo. Find the race on 2lowerunco.com.
Harrisburg Marathon: Sunday, Nov. 9, 7:30 a.m., in Harrisburg. The marathon has already sold out, but spots are still available in the half for this popular event. Find the race on runsignup.com.
Also: Gobbler 5K/10K (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Hershey Rotary Club 5K (Saturday, in Hershey); Lions’ Chase 5K (Saturday, in Millersburg); North Ridge Nightmare 13K/6.6K Trail Run (Saturday, in Allison Park); Pain in Green Lane 25K/50K (Saturday, in Green Lane); Trick or Trot 5K (Saturday, in Camp Hill); Gobbler 5K/10K/Half Marathon (Saturday, in Biglerville); Ocean City Running Festival (Saturday, in Ocean City, Md.); Gulliver’s Run 5K (Sunday, in Lewisberry); Hot Cider Hustle 5K/10K (Sunday, in Harrisburg); Oley Valley Country Classic 5K/10M (Sunday, in Oley); The Long Run Fall Back 5M/3H/6H (Sunday, in Wind Gap); The View 25K (Sunday, in Hyner); Veterans Marathon (Sunday, in Blairsville); We Got Your Six Marathon (Sunday, in White Plains, Md.); Brighter Futures 5K (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Manheim); Gobbler 5K/10K (Saturday, Nov. 8, in York); Island Park 150 (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Blossburg); Mushroom Cap Half Marathon (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Kennett Square); NIRCA Cross Country Open 6K (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Hershey); Rocky Run 5K/10M/13.1M (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Philadelphia); Veterans Trail Festival 5K/20M/50K (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Hookstown); YAP Making Change Happen 5K (Saturday, Nov. 8, in Harrisburg); EQT Pittsburgh 10 Miler (Sunday, Nov. 9, in Pittsburgh); Forbidden Run Fest 10K/10M/13.1M (Sunday, Nov. 9, in Philadelphia); St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest 13.1M/26.2M (Sunday, Nov. 9, in Allentown); Wyoming Valley Striders 20K (Sunday, Nov. 9, in Shickshinny).
