August 3, 2006 Issue                                       

©2006 The Chestnut Hill Local

Hill run raises thousands; hundreds turn out for race
by JENNIFER KATZ

Ross Martinson of Philadelphia Runners won the race on the men’s side. Martinson finished the 5-mile run in 25:48, just 13 seconds ahead of the second closest runner. (Photo by Jennifer Katz)

Among the more than 800 runners, walkers, vendors and spectators, Hayden Dahmm received his first taste of celebrity, signing autographs and selling copies of his comic book series, Our Toilet Superhero. The 13-year-old and his twin brother, Ethan, were the recipients of Saturday’s Fifth Annual Run for the Hill of It five-mile race held along Forbidden Drive at Harper’s Meadow.

The weather was typical for a Philadelphia summer day, hot and humid in the aftermath of recent rainstorms. For a few hours the race was in jeopardy as Friday evenings’ tempest had caused a large tree branch to fall onto the utility lines at Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive, leaving the event site without power. In the morning hours, event organizers rounded up two generators from Delran Builders and radio station B101, both event sponsors.

As the B101 bee and the Phillie’s mascot, the Phanatic, made their way through the crowd, Ethan was charmed listening to Beatles’ songs over the speakers. His mom, Cynthia Murray, was thrilled to see him enjoying himself. “He loves the Beatles,” she said. “He knows all the words.”

At just before 9 a.m. the runners were off and in less than 26 minutes the first winner crossed the finish line. Ross Martinson, 46, of Conshohocken, finished the race in 25:48 for the men. Martinson beat the second place winner, Kevin Borrelli, 19, of Dickson City, by just 13 seconds.

For the women, it was Renee Gunning, 24, of Philadelphia, who won finishing the race in 28:13. Her closest competition, Claire Duncan, 22, of Philadelphia came in a full 1:44 behind her.

It took just over an hour for all of the runners to finish with many being cheered on by friends and family members. For first-timer Stacy Fink, 42, of Lafayette Hill, it was her daughters Sara and Mollie holding a freshly painted sign edging her own. Her husband, Eric, who waited with the girls, said that while he is the track runner in the family, Stacy wanted to run this one.

Run for the Hill of It was established in 1989 after Cystic Fibrosis patient, Erik Engwall, inspired a group of friends for form Friends of Erik and create the Run for the Hill of It. Although Erik passed away, the spirit of helping a child and family in need continues through the efforts of McNally’s Tavern and the Chestnut Hill Rotary Club. All of the proceeds from the race and an annual autumn black tie dinner dance go to the recipients.

Event co-chair Mark McMahon said that an early estimation is that this year’s race earned about $35,000. The dinner dance will be held on October 28 when organizers hope to double that amount for Murray and her sons.

It was day of mixed emotions for Murray. Speaking to the crowd gathered for the award presentations, Murray said, “It’s overwhelming to be the recipients and at the same time humbling. Thank you so much.”

Contact staff writer Jennifer Katz at 215-248-8804 or jenn@chestnuthilllocal.com.