And a Dash of Monsters

Don Francis
Feb 20
2 min read

A typical, unusual sight for the Monster Dash

The PCA hosted the 6^th Monster Dash 5K run/walk on October 18^th, which was the third time to be entirely on the Rountree Branch Trail. Like last year, about a hundred people registered.

Early fog disappeared before race time, and the start/finish was near the fish garden on Valley Road, along with the turnaround point at the trail junction by the gazebo behind Menard’s.

The overall winner was Sam Kronick, from the men’s 20-29 age group, scorching the trail with a time of 17:48. (Note that since a 5K is 3.1 miles, he’s running UNDER 6 minutes per mile.) Emily Miller led all females with a 20:41 time (besting last year’s effort by 11 seconds). The overall 3^rd place was snatched by Jordan Schoeder (18:22), from the men’s 19 & under group, which edged 4^th place participant, Jake Hahn, from the men’s 30-39 age group, by a second (18:23). Notably, twenty-five runners finished under 30 minutes.

Costumes play a role in this event’s fun, like a minotaur, gladiator and doggy Caesar, a rainbow of crayons, Jake from State Farm, Batwomen, a shark, vampire & hunter, Dallas Cowboy cheerleader, a pair of bananas, a bunch of pumpkins, and some deviled eggs. The best runners and costumes were awarded Culver’s gift cards, a gallon or a half gallon of apple cider.

This past year’s Monster Dash committee was comprised of Dianne Jentz, Bob Hundhausen, Brian Laufenberg, Dave Carnahan, Spider Fromader, Rob Serres, Clay Shaffer and Don Francis. The event was a successful fundraiser for the PCA by bringing in about three thousand dollars.