WAYNESBORO – More than 400 running enthusiasts took part in this year’s Firecracker 5K. And for Hagerstown’s Ryan Rasco, who won the event with a top time of 15 minutes, 45 seconds, the best part was simply being there.
“I ran it when I was younger 10 years ago,” said Rasco, 22, a 2021 graduate of St. Maria Goretti. “I like these fun runs because of the community here. I’ve been running for 16 years and I fell in love with the running community.”
Rasco was one of 403 runners in the 8 a.m. event on a sunny and warm Fourth of July morning. His best friend, Luke Manning, 23, of Waynesboro, finished second overall.
“He was probably 20 meters ahead of me, closing in on the finish line,” Manning said.
And that’s probably the second-best part of participation: friendship.
“I’m coming back (to the Firecracker 5K) to run with my buddy,” said Rasco. “I didn’t really care about winning. I’m just here with my best friend. We met a little before high school and we’ve been buddies ever since.”
Rasco has not ran in a 5K in about five years. But he’s no stronger to them. In addition to competing in the 800-meter run and the mile run at Davis & Elkins, Rasco ran cross country in the fall.
“I’m a competitive runner,” he said. “I just recently completed my collegiate career. I’m still very much racing.”
For the past three years, the 5K started and finished on East Second Street right next to Waynesboro Area Senior High School. Before then, the event began and ended on East Main Street across from the medical building.
The course followed East Second Street to East Main Street (Route 16). From there, runners turned left and continued to South Franklin Street to East Second Street and onto Cleveland Avenue back to Main Street. After returning to Main Street, runners continued going east to Virginia Avenue and back to East Second Street for the home stretch to the finish line.
Results
Top 10 overall
1. Ryan Rasco, 22, Hagerstown, Md., 15 41.8
2. Luke Manning, 23, Waynesboro, 15:56.3
3. Andrew Spangenberg, 41, Frederick, Md., 16:43.1
4. Dylan Herbst, 15, Smithsburg, Md., 16:48.6
5. Kyle Phillips, 32, Waynesboro, 17:02.4
6. Tyler Elliott, 17, Round Hill, VA., 17:04.8
7. Nate Snyder, 15, Waynesboro, 17:06.0
8. Devin Barger, 16, Waynesboro, 17:08.5
9. Broden Hebert, 16, Orrtanna, 17:17.5
10. Isaac Moats, 21, Waynesboro, 17:38.2
Top 5 Overall Women
1. Bella Ruefle, 19, Waynesboro, 20:04.9; 2. Nicole Diller, 42, Shippensburg; 3. Maddie Ruefle, 16, Waynesboro; 4. Morgan Jones, 14, Waynesboro; 5. Lauren Biser, 17, Waynesboro; 6. Jamie Wisz, Hagerstown, Md.; 7. Cora Helman, 21, Waynesboro; 8. Ella Swart, 17, Waynesboro; 9. Sara Gsell, 26, Waynesboro; 10. Morgan Price, 17, Waynesboro
Top 10 Overall Master’s Men
1. Andrew Spangenberg, Frederick, Md., 16:45.2; 2. Derek Book, 45, Chambersburg; 3. James Smith, 42, Waynesboro; 4. Will Marquis, 56, Hagerstown, Md.; 5. Anthony Chaney, 46, Hagerstown, Md.; 6. Chad Vaughn, 48, Waynesboro; 7. Michael Sanders, 55, Hagerstown, Md.; 8. Eric Myers, 40, Chambersburg; 9. Justin Walter, 41, Waynesboro; 10. Jeff Cottone, 44, Chambersburg
Top 10 Overall Master’s Female
1. Nicole Diller, 42, Shippensburg, 21:24,8; 2. Toni Pagliaro, 41, Waynesboro; 3. Christina Manning, 59, Waynesboro; 4. Cheryl Oyler, 59, Chambersburg; 5. Joy Chrisman Hose, 57, Fayetteville; 6. Cathy Van Gilder, 55, Blue Ridge Summit; 7. Leslie Baker, 43, Greencastle; 8. Susan Grimes, Cascade, Md.; 9. Lauren Murray, 41, Waynesboro; 10. Terri Howe, 42, Shippensburg
Top 10 Senior Male
1. Brian Morgan, 64, Waynesboro, 22:37.7; 2. John Gow, 60, Chambersburg; 3. Russ Berry, 64, Waynesboro; 4. Greg Helman, 65, Waynesboro; 5. John Gates II, 66, Hagerstown, Md.; 6. Terry Kreps, 61, Waynesboro; 7. Steve Tanner, 71, Waynesboro;
8. Ken Arendt, 68, Waynesboro; 9. Jerry Shearer, 63, Chambersburg; 10. William Pflager, 76, Waynesboro
Top 5 Senior Female
1. Carolyn Showalter, 70, Maugansville, Md., 32:29.7; 2. Kathy Enterline, 69, Waynesboro; 3. Anita Wade, 60, Hagerstown, Md.; 4. Roxanne Dalton, 64, Zullinger; 5. Melanie Sanders, 68, Waynesboro
1st place Male 20-29; Luke Manning, 23, Waynesboro, 15:56.3
1st place Female 20-29; Cora Helman, 21, Waynesboro, 22:36.9
1st place Male 30-39: Kyle Phillips, 32, Waynesboro, 17:04.2
1st place Female 30-39: Lauren Biser 37, Waynesboro, 22:13.5
1st place 40-49 Male: Derek Book, 45, Chambersburg, 19:35.9
1st place 40-49 Female: Toni Pagliaro, 41, Waynesboro, 23:38.2
1st place 50-59 Male: Will Marquiss, 56, Hagerstown, Md., 19:52.3
1st place 50-59 Female: Christina Manning, 59, Waynesboro, 24:57.4
1st place 60-69 Male: John Gow, 60, Chambersburg, 24:40.8
1st place 60-69 Female: Kathy Enterline, 69, Waynesboro, 33:22.3
1st place 70-plus Male: Steve Tanner, 71, Waynesboro, 31:07.4
1st place 70-plus Female: Beatrice Bowman, 73, Pittsburgh, 47:53.3
