Area runners dominate 2022 Boulder Beast trail race
CASTANEA TOWNSHIP, PA – They came from 17 different states, from as far as Washington State and Oregon, but it was the local trail runners who dominated the field of about 500 people Saturday at the Boulder Beast trail race.
Emanuel King, 24, of East End, was first to cross the finish line in the 24-mile race, which traverses Bald Eagle Mountain between Castanea and McElhattan and includes a climb up the infamous “bald spot” boulder field. King never gave up the lead, turning in a time of three hours, 53 minutes.
“It was a perfect day for this race,” he said of the weather and trail conditions, then added with a modest smile, “It took me seven years to get a win.”
King, who competes in a number of races around the region, finished second in the 2021 and 2019 Boulder Beast and has been a top ten finisher for the past several years. This years’ time was his fastest.
Sam Shaheen, 26, of State College was the second-place finisher, turning in a time of 4:10. Scott Lesh, 38, of Boiling Springs finished third, in 4:25, followed by Eric Smith, 31, of State College, with a time of 4:38, and Allen King, 34, of East End, who finished in 4:40.
Lisa Fisher of Salladasburg was sixth overall and the first female to finish the long course. The 38-year-old, who was the first female finisher in last year’s Boulder Beast, turned in a time of 4:40. It was her fourth time to compete in this race.
“The weather was perfect – it felt really good to be out there,” said Fisher. “The trails were amazing – they (race organizers the PA Trail Dogs) did a good job preparing them. This course has the best of everything – boulders, flat places, some nice climbs, and there’s a lot of technical stuff, with all of the rocks on the trails.”
Justyna Wilson, 47, of Fairless Hills, PA was seventh overall and the second female finisher, with a time of 4:41, followed by Colleen Moffatt, 41, of Philadelphia, who was fifteenth overall, with a time of 4:59.
In all, nearly 220 runners finished the long Boulder Beast course, with a number of others opting to drop down to the shorter, 25K course during the race.
Close to 270 people finished the approximate 15-and-a-half-mile 25K Boulder Beast course.
Paul Brungard, 34, of Howard was first across the finish line with a time of two hours, 41 minutes. It was his first Boulder Beast race and only the third long-distance race he’s ever done.
“I liked the race, but I did cramp up,” he said afterward, as excited family members and friends congratulated him at the finish line.
Second-place finisher in the 25K was Matthew Byers, 42, of Camp Hill, with a time of 2:44, followed by Mike Habalar, 48, of Williamsport, at 2:47; Jeremy Weeder, 36, of Mill Hall, at 2:51; and Jimmy Gardner, 25, of Williamsport, with a time of 2:59.
April Schreiber, 33, of Erie, was the first female and 14th overall to finish the 25K. A first-time Boulder Beast runner, Schreiber’s brother-in-law, Joel and his daughter Cecily, also of Erie, invited her to the race. With her husband Nate and their seven-month-old daughter, Olive, watching, Schreiber completed the course in three hours, 18 minutes.
“It was pretty tough,” said Schreiber. “I’m not much of a trail runner – I’m more used to flat, but the view on this course was beautiful.”
Second-place female finisher was Laura Hensler-Janson, 41, of Cogan Station, who was 17th overall with a time of 3:21, followed by Yadira Mateo, 26, of Queens, New York, who was 20th overall with a time of 3:29.
The Boulder Beast is considered Clinton County’s second-largest trail race, after the Hyner View Trail Challenge. Both races, as well as several others locally, are directed and organized by Craig Fleming and the PA Trail Dogs running group.
Participants heaped plenty of praise on the army of race volunteers, as well as emergency responders and other supporters, who expertly handled every detail, from registration, to aid stations, to the after-race party at the start/finish at the Castanea Fire Company Picnic Grounds.
“Awesome event,” exclaimed John Auberzinsky, 53, of Atglen, PA, in a Facebook post following the race. “Thank you to the volunteers. I don’t know if they realize how much they mean to us when we roll into an aid station tired and thirsty. Their smiles are important morale boosters out there.” Auberzinksy finished the long course in 123rd place, in eight hours, 13 minutes.
Alison Curley, 47, of Timonium, Maryland, competed in the 25K course, finishing 145th. “What a fantastic race,” she said. “Thanks to the numerous volunteers, race coordinators, fellow runners and everyone who contributed to this incredible race atmosphere. This was my first time doing a race in this beautiful area and most likely not by last. Bravo, Boulder Beast, you’re a blast!”
Beth Toner, 55 of Pottstown, PA, spent nine-and-a-half hours on Bald Eagle Mountain Saturday. She was the final finisher for the 25K race, and posted an amusing message afterward to race director Craig Fleming, saying, “Craig, I probably took your name in vain today 100 times, but with all the love in my heart. Seriously though, great race as always and a thousand thank-yous to the amazing volunteers!”
For more on the Boulder Beast and other PA Trail Dogs races, visit www.patraildogs.com.
