While last week’s storms were simply a minor inconvenience for the majority this column’s readership, they sure made life difficult in Carlisle, the place I call home.
What started as a hot double day on the landscaping circuit later turned into a close evening encounter with an explosion of rain and swirling winds. Trees collapsed on to cars, power lines, and even houses, while streets were flooded, all within the span of 30 minutes.
My family was lucky to avoid the worst of it. As was the case for most of the town, our electricity was out until the wee hours of the morning. Even as I type, there are still those waiting for their power to return.
It was a scary burst of weather, but it did force us to take a detour from our daily routines.
With a limited amount of sunlight and even less battery remaining on the screens, folks were forced to go outside and “touch grass,” as the kids say. In the breaks between storm sessions families were going for walks to assess the damage, while kids were racing on their bikes through the puddles and around the fallen branches. Some took the intiative to unclog the drains, while others broke out canoes to explore the deepest waters.
With no electricity or internet, I was granted an unexpected reprieve from another night of work on my laptop, and took the opportunity to do some exploring of my own after getting the kids settled in for the night. The air was cool, while the streets were completely dark. I walked from one block to the next, texting my wife updates on the conditions and photos of the aftermath, even though my cell phone had about 15 percent of its battery remaining.
As I moved nearly a mile away from home, the rains returned and I had to hustle back. My scamper was greeted by a group of teenagers who drove by and told me in a not-so-polite way to stop walking in the rain. With a chuckle I returned to the front door of my house, with nothing but lightning in the skies to provide illumination.
While I wish the circumstances were a little bit better, it was good to get some mileage under my belt and it felt refreshing to break up my usual grind. It all seemed like a reset of sorts, and gave me a chance to take a breath and re-take stock of my life. Part of that analysis included my fitness routine, which has taken a backseat to my work schedule in recent months.
I’d like to ramp up that part of my lifestyle again, this time without the severe thunderstorms.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
The summer season officially kicked off in Shippensburg with the Solstice 5K/10K, two races that drew nearly 150 runners, including dozens from the Local.News1 coverage area.
The 5K race saw Chambersburg’s Jackson Faith conquer the field of 90 runners with a time of 22:32. Faith was chased by Chambersburg’s Sean Collier (2nd in 22:58), Braden Smith (5th in 24:42), Vincent Barnhart (7th in 24:59), and Brad Evans (10th in 25:29). Other top finishers from the race included Waynesboro’s Jeffrey Hein (26:08), Fayetteville’s Aaron Smith (26:23) and Brian Portier (27:51), Chambersburg’s Zally Price (26:23), Craig Leisher (28:11), and Lily Smith (29:07), and Greencastle’s John Economos (30:05).
The Solstice 10K was highlighted by the running of Chambersburg’s Liam Coy (4th in 41:28), Derek Book (7th in 42:22), and Logan Cordell (9th in 42:49), Greencastle’s Matthew Smith (45:26), and Fayetteville’s Danielle Portier (3rd female in 54:56).
A trio of area runners took the summer theme to the next level, venturing out to Delaware for the Bethany Beach Firecracker 5K. Waynesboro’s Kalli Yoder finished the race in 31:48 and she was joined at the finish line by Greencastle’s Sophie Yoder (47:44) and Ryan Yoder (47:45).
Moving from the beach to Anchorage, Alaska, Elizabeth Ralston challenged herself by competing in the Solstice Classic. The Smithsburg runner finished the 4.7-mile race in 1:22:44.
In Williamsport, Md., the HER 5K was packed with area runners, including Hagerstown’s Yulia Kravchuk (30:49), Alli Mongan (37:12), and Kelly Barnich (37:24), and Smithsburg’s Jaylyn Etter (37:12).
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Chambersburg’s Jason Ackerman (28:54 at Harbor Hustle 5K), Fairfield’s Stevie Kauffman (34:10 at Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K), and Hagerstown’s Debra Stutts (15:06 at Medal Madness 1 Mile), Carlos Huaman (28:05 at Montgomery Village 5K), and Mike Stutts (36:20 at Medal Madness 5K).
And now, a look ahead:
4th of July Shoe House Shuffle: Friday, 8 a.m., in York. This race starts and finishes at WellSpan Learning Center, with a trip around the famous Shoe House at the midway point. Check out the race on runsignup.com.
Firecracker 5K: Friday, 8 a.m., in Waynesboro. Expect fast times and a large field of runners with this race, which drew nearly 400 competitors in 2024. Learn more about the event on summerjubilee.org/races.
Tim & Susan Cook Memorial Race 1 Mile: Saturday, July 12, 7 a.m., in Chambersburg. This slightly-downhill race, in its 21st running, is a great opportunity to pursue a PR. Check out the event on chambersburg.org/chambersfest.
Also: Firetrucks and Fireworks 5K/10K/15K (Friday, in Downingtown); Angie Gioisosa Memorial Race 5K (Friday, in Altoona); Paxtang Lions Patriot Dash 5K (Friday, in Harrisburg); Revolutionary Run 1M/5K/10K (Friday, in Washington Crossing); Carlisle Summerfair 5K (Saturday, in Carlisle); US 1M/5K/10K/15K/13.1M (Saturday, in New Cumberland); Ironstone 100K (Saturday, July 12, in Hollidaysburg); Spartan Race (Saturday, July 12, in Palmerton); US 5K/10K (Saturday, July 12, in York); Viaduct Trail 50M/100M (Saturday, July 12, in Lanesboro); Blobfest Half Marathon (Sunday, July 13, in Phoenixville); Women’s Philadelphia Triathlon (Sunday, July 13, in Philadelphia); Harrisburg Mile (Wednesday, July 16, in Harrisburg).
