A crowd of more than 400 people turned out at Dunkirk's Wright Park on Saturday for the 12th annual Marauder Trotter 5K Run/Walk. The event, hosted by the Dunkirk High School Class of 1989, was part of the Chautauqua Striders Runner of the Year Series.
A total of 180 participants completed the event, with Anthony Ruiz of Dunkirk recording the fastest time of 18:06. In second place was Falconer's Jakob McDaneld with a time of 18:42. And in third place was Miranda Gatto of Niagara Falls at 18:47; she was also the top female finisher. Among the walkers, the top male and female finish line crossers were Riley Smith-Mallon of Dunkirk (41:29) and Melissa Congdon of Fredonia (41:22), respectively.
This year's Marauder Trotter was also the last one hosted by the DHS Class of 1989. Prior to the event, race director D.J. Wilson and event manager Scott Mekus handed off leadership to the Stride Society of Dunkirk, which is managed by Gabrielle Hart, Jericha Petrella and Devin Eddy.
Also during the event, Laci Delcamp was announced as this year's recipient of the Dunkirk High School Class of 1989 Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a graduating DHS senior. The scholarship is managed through the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, which has been given over $85,000 from Marauder Trotter past race proceeds so far.
The Marauder Trotter was held in memoriam to deceased DHS Class of 1989 members Paula Kuschel, Jennifer Styborski, Jody Wdowiasz, Michael Koch, Robert Pierce, James Kulpa, Susan Butts, Elizabeth Barnes, Tony Quiles, Susan Stoyle (Gorka), Scott Roesler, Todd Iskra, Paul Szach, Joe Pieszak, John Gizowski, Tammy Crawford, Corey Marshall, Jodie Wickham (Santiago), David Lukasik, Tom Wickham, Gloria Fred, Blanca Nieves, Conley Coleman, Gilberto Rosas, Magdalena Hazelton, James Jaffray, Kevin Kuzdzal and Kevin Wasmund.
Click here for the full race results.
Pictured, from left to right, Scott Mekus, Anthony Ruiz, Miranda Gatto, D.J Wilson. Submitted photos
