Great participation for Collins-Toboz Bridge to Bridge Run; “Turbo” takes part

Steve “Turbo” Toboz makes his way along the last section of the nearly six-mile course Sunday, coming up to the First Island Bridge, which is named in his honor. -Photo courtesy of the Clinton County Visitors Bureau

More than a hundred participants took off at 9:00 a.m. Sunday for the first annual Collins-Toboz Bridge to Bridge Run between Mill Hall and Lock Haven. -Photo courtesy of the Clinton County Visitors Bureau

From left, Reagan McCoy of Lock Haven won the first annual Collins-Toboz Bridge to Bridge Run on Sunday. Next to him is Steve “Turbo” Toboz, for whom the First Island Bridge in Lock Haven is named; Tom Collins, brother of the late David Collins, for whom the bridge in Mill Hall is named; Jordan Kaler, the first female finisher in Sunday’s race; and Michael Dicello, second-place finisher. The top male and female finishers were awarded a United States flag with the name of the race imprinted on it. All participants received a set of dog tags engraved with the name of the race. -Photo courtesy of the Clinton County Visitors Bureau

-Photos courtesy of the Clinton County Visitors Bureau

From staff reports

MILL HALL, PA – About 140 race participants, along with family and friends, turned out Sunday for the inaugural Collins-Toboz Bridge to Bridge Run honoring two local heroes. The nearly six-mile race started near the U.S. Navy SOC David M. Collins Veterans Memorial Bridge along Route 150 over Fishing Creek in Mill Hall, named in honor and memory of Navy SEAL David Collins. It took participants along Hogan Boulevard, then off the main road and into Flemington, Lock Haven and Castanea down to the Petty Officer Stephen “Turbo” Toboz, Jr. Bridge (First Island Bridge), named in honor of now retired Navy SEAL Steve “Turbo” Toboz, before ending at the Bland J. Rossman VFW Post 1630 on Water Street.

Lock Haven native and highly-decorated war hero, Toboz, whose leg was amputated below the knee in 2002 following a battle against enemy forces in Afghanistan, traveled from Virginia to participate in the run, finishing 30^th with a time of 56 minutes. He and his wife, Linda, his brother and sister-in-law Shawn and Cathy Toboz of Montoursville, and several of Turbo’s friends and fellow SEALS from Virginia Beach, all participated.

Tom Collins, brother of the late Dave Collins, helped organize the event and ran the run with a number of his friends. Also a Lock Haven native and highly-decorated war hero, Dave Collins was a retired Navy SEAL who died from service-related causes in 2014. The David Collins bridge in Mill Hall was named in his memory in 2018, while the Toboz bridge was so-named just last year.

It was local runner, Reagan McCoy, 24, of Lock Haven, who crossed the finish line first, completing the course in just under 35 minutes. He was followed by Michael Dicello, 28, of Lock Haven, who finished in 40:08, and Brent McGonigal, 43, of Mill Hall, with a time of 40:43.

Other top finishers were Johnny Shreffler, 20, of Blanchard, in fourth-place, with a time of 41:04; Phil Ryan, 55, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, in fifth at 43:01; and Nick Walker, 36, of Mill Hall in sixth-place, with a time of 44:03.

Jordan Kaler, 26, of Lock Haven, was the first female finisher and seventh overall, turning in a time of 44:44. She was followed by Tammy Rachau, 47, of Mill Hall, with a time of 45:51. Ninth place went to Brenden Hunter, 37, of Lock Haven, with a time of 46:13, and McKenzie Hakin, 27, of Jersey Shore rounded out the top ten, finishing in 46:45.

In all, 107 people completed the run, with another 30 participants taking a slightly shorter, walking course. Shonna Walker, 39, of Mill Hall, was the first walker to finish the race, turning in a time of one hour, seven minutes. Melissa Confer, 49 of Mill Hall, was second with a time of 1:09, followed by Diana Ohl, 61, of Lock Haven who finished in 1:11; Joseph Caimi, 16, of Lock Haven, who finished in 1:13; and Beth Simon, 43, of Centre Hall, who finished fifth with a time of 1:15.

All participants received commemorative military style dog tags engraved with the name and date of the run. The top male and female runners were given a special American flag with the name of the race imprinted on the flag stripes.

“A big thank-you to all of the sponsors and all of the volunteers,” said Tony Ruggiers, a member of the race organizing committee, which also includes Barbie and Tom Collins (Dave Collins’ brother and sister-in-law), Randy Baldwin, Barb Strouse, Dave Harger and Jim Russo. “We also appreciate organizations including PennDOT, the Pennsylvania State Police, Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, Lock Haven and Mill Hall Police and the Clinton County Fire Police, and the Clinton County Communications Center for their support, as well as the VFW for hosting the event. We had a lot of great support and good feedback – we’re looking forward to next year’s event.”

Proceeds from Sunday’s run will support planned enhancements to Clinton County Veterans Park across from the Courthouse in Lock Haven. To contribute to the Veterans Park project, contact Harger Utility Charities president Brooke Stover at 570-748-5469 or mail contributions to Harger Utility Charities at 108 West Clinton Street, Lock Haven, PA 17745.