While it may have started way back in the 20th century, the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic never seems to lose its magic.
That was evident this past Sunday when close to 800 runners turned out for the 24th rendition of the popular races at the Langhorne park to once again experience what makes the event so special.
The fields for the 5K, the 1-mile run and the Sesame kids’ sprint were greeted with clearing skies and ideal temperatures in the high 50s for the competitions.
All runners received a free, one-day admission pass to Sesame Place and this year that offer was extra special because those tickets are now valid through the end of September, a two-month extension over previous years.
In the 5K, the finishing times were highly competitive.
Luke Holman, 40, of Arlington, Virginia, won the men’s title by finishing in a sparkling 16:58. That’s a rather rapid 5:28-per-mile pace, which won the open race by a total of 23 seconds over Christopher Baisden, 19, of Bensalem. Holman also captured the masters title by a minute and 26 seconds faster than runner-up Wendell Smith, 49, of Feasterville.
Thirteen-year-old Sian Kall of Morrisville crossed the finish line first in the women’s event, stopping the clock at 21:49. That was 17 seconds faster than Chloe Boudazin, 28, of Langhorne.
Another member of the Kall family, Lisa, took home the masters crown. The 51-year-old ran 22:58, five seconds faster than second-place finisher Chelsey Jackman, 40, of Langhorne.
Proceeds from the event go to the Dick Dougherty Scholarship Fund. Since 1999, some $500,000 has been raised through the Classic to benefit college-bound top scholar-athletes from 18 Bucks County high schools.
“What a great way to spend a Sunday morning in May,” said Levittown-Bristol Kiwanis Club’s Mary Berman. “Participants were of all ages – from toddlers to senior citizens. They all arrived with one goal in mind, to be able to wear proudly that race finisher medal. It didn’t matter if you were a serious runner or a small child participating in the sprint – everyone went away with something to show for their accomplishment.”
Approximately 150 runners and walkers took part in the one-mile event. Steven Kolsher, 10, of Morrisville took home the male top place by running 6:59. In the female competition, Kim Ashmore, 41, of Langhorne placed first in 7:44.
Following the race, characters from Sesame joined a large gathering of runners at the awards area to hear winners’ names being called out.
“Cell phones were out taking those prized photographs of both the young and the old with smiling faces,” Berman noted. “There were plenty wearing this year’s popular ‘Snuffleupagus’ T-shirts and exchanging hugs with the Sesame characters that were mingling with the crowd.”
The post-race ceremony kicked off with the presentation of the annual Sesame Spirit Award, which is given to the school/organization with the most participants in the event. This year’s recipient was the Herbert Hoover School (Langhorne) PTO.
Jill Saul of Kiwanis said Saturday night’s rainfall stopped just in time to ensure a bright outlook for the race.
“This great event, with an emphasis on family, is all about fun,” she said. “It’s great for both the serious athletes and the casual runners. Thankfully, the rain stopped and the sun shone down on the 800 participants.”
Added Kiwanis Club’s Dixie Rhodes: “The day was filled with excitement as we saw Sesame characters such as Abby Cadabby, Grover and Elmo being followed by excited youngsters. We saw everything – from serious runners to others in nylon ‘ballerina’ costumes joyfully participating in the races. All looked forward to receiving a finisher medal, which they wore proudly.”
The list of sponsors for the Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place:
Bucks County Retired, Council for the Advancement of Public Schools, Access Credit Union, William Kelly Begley, Carlin and Mandio, BTEA (Bristol Township Education Association), Senzick’s Auto, Apollo’s Family Pizza, Secure Planning Group LLC, Fiberglass Pool Designs LLC, Penn Community Bank, James J. Dougherty Funeral Home LLC, Newtown Dentistry for Kids, Harris Comfort LLC, Fred Beans Automotive Group, Penn Valley Investments, McHale’s LLC, TransPro Intermodeal Trucking, BP Environmental, Toews.
2024 Kiwanis-Herald Sesame Place Classic results
Male
– Overall: 1. Luke Holman, Arlington, Va., 16:58; 2. Christopher Baisden, Bensalem, 17:21; 3. Bill Craven, Glenside, Pa., 17:29.
– 10-12: 1. Stephan Menna, Burlington, N.J., 20:49; 2. Anthony Skillens, Bensalem, 21:13; 3. Liam Karas, Fairless Hills, 21:41.
– 13-14: 1. Anthony Reznitchen, Feasterville, 18:37; 2. Mark Griffin, Yardley, 19:05; 3. Chase Esposito, Langhorne, 19:09.
– 15-18: 1. Coltan Jones, Fairless Hills, 18:32; 2. Jacob Huttenberger, Bensalem, 22:18; 3. James Fernandez, Levittown, 22:59.
– 19-29: 1. Stephen Algeo, Yardley, 17:59; 2. Jeremy Capella, Levittown, 19:22; 3. Dominic Petruzelli, Warminster, 20:33.
– 30-34: 1. Gerard Morgan, Philadelphia, 22:12; 2. Ryan Adams, Bristol, 22:16; 3. Peter MacNamee, Langhorne, 22:39.
– 35-39: 1. Casey Geiger, Southampton, 23:09; 2. Kyle O’Malley, Levittown, 27:38; 3. Ryan Swope, Langhorne, 27:30.
– 40-44: 1. Derek Quitmeyer, Philadelphia, 20:36; 2. Andrew Zodda, Mount Laurel, N.J., 21:55; 3. Shawn Worthen, Feasterville, 22:55.
– 45-49: 1. Rob Resnick, Warminster, 21:24; 2. Shawn Logan, Abington, 23:51; 3. Will Veitch, Marlton, N.J., 24:41.
– 50-54: 1. Michael Galkin, Morrisville, 23:21; 2. Al Petruzzelli, Warminster, 28:14; 3. Chris Lopresti, Langhorne, 30:03.
– 55-59: 1. Michael Haston, Levittown, 20:34; 2. T.J. Curry, Southampton, 27:58; 3. Jeffrey Ditzler, Hulmeville, 30:25.
– 60-69: 1. Joe Boyce, 62, Levittown, 20:38; 2. Ray Willhoft, Yardley, 23:46; 3. Steve Siglin, Tiffin, Iowa, 26:46.
– 70-79: 1. Tom Fuoco, Yardley, 26:06; 2. Daniel Lee, Levittown, 60:01.
Female
– Overall: 1. Sian Kall, Morrisville, 21:49; 2. Chloe Boudazin, Langhorne, 22:06; 3. Abigail Dupuis, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; 22:26.
– 10-12: 1. Adrianna Kowalska, Feasterville, 23:55; 2. Sofia Worster, Bellmore, N.Y., 28:17; 3. Paige Shreyer, Kendall Park, N.J., 30:45.
–13-14: 1. Alyssa Dydak, Bensalem, 25:52; 2. Abby Bundick, Newtown, 28:19; 3. Sophia Turco, Bensalem, 28:21.
– 15-18: 1. Nyah Hyers, Bensalem, 23:53; 2. Maya Kowalska, Feasterville, 23:55; 3. Sydney Huynh, Broomall, Pa., 25:21.
– 19-29: 1. Jessica Nguyen, Upper Darby, Pa., 25:03; 2. Jamie MacNamee-Cap, Levittown, 25:14; Emily Higginson, Lansdale, Pa., 27:46.
– 30-34: 1. Carrie Curcio, Southampton, 25:12; 2. Jeana Woelk, Langhorne, 26:12; 3. Sarah Harrison, Philadelphia, 28:06.
– 35-39: 1. Caitlin Kelly, Hatboro, 23:38; 2. Valerie Boothby, New Providence, N.J., 24:29; 3. Danielle Armstrong, Levittown, 25:41.
– 40-44: 1. Chelsey Jackman, Langhorne, 23:03; 2. Katarzyna Do, Levittown, 23:14; 3. Trish Pekarchik, Beachwood, N.J., 24:18.
– 45-49: 1. Danielle Blauser, Philadelphia, 26:18; 2. Noreen Killian, Levittown, 28:36; 3. Debra Meehan, Langhorne, 29:24.
– 50-54: 1. Lisa Kall, Morrisville, 22:58; 2. Marlene Ridgway, Yardley, 24:35; 3. Heather McGurrin, Fallsington, 28:09.
– 55-59: 1. Yelena Galkin, Morrisville, 28:42; 2. Barbara Hiller, Morrisville, 29:39; 3. Patricia Curry, Southampton, 32:21.
– 60-69: 1. Carol McHale, Langhorne, 33:45; 2. Jody Harris, Mantua, N.J., 40:09; 3. Barbara Tull, Media, 49:20.
– 70-79: 1. Lynda Sacharov, Langhorne, 32:43; 2. Marianne Reuter, Feasterville, 41:25; 3. Joanne Huczko, Philadelphia, 41:33.
Race calendar
Saturday
– Doylestown 5K, 9:30 a.m., Doylestown. Contact www.bucks5kseries.com.
Monday
– Memorial Main Street Mile, 8 a.m., Yardley. Contact www.runningintheusa.com.
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