2015 Jingle Bell 5K Snowshoe Results ~ December 5, 2015

22nd Annual Jingle Bell Snowshoe Race - 2015
hosted by the PSC Striders

Paul Smith’s College VIC

Paul Smiths, NY
December 5, 2015

Corey Roth and Ashley Evans, both of Paul Smith’s College paced the field in the 5K Jingle Bell “Noshoe Race at the Paul Smith’s College Visitor’s Interpretive Center.  There were a total of 26 participants this year.

Despite our best intentions, this year’s Jingle Bell 5K Snowshoe race was once again a late season trail run on the traditional Jingle Bell course at the Visitor’s Interpretive Center.  The temperature of 41 degrees at race time was the warmest for this 22^nd annual event, and despite the lack of snow, the runners wore their traditional “jingle bells” to remain festive no matter the warm weather.  The Paul Smith’s College VIC staff maintained a nice fire near the start/finish area for seasonal hikers, VIC visitors and Jingle Bell participants and family members.

Corey Roth (JR) won the event in 18:49, followed by last year’s winner, Louis Ferrone (SR) in 19:44 and Jeremy Rushok (Daemen College) in 19:57.  Matt Leichty (FR) placed fourth in 20:17 and was challenged by Akron HS runners, Michael Swiniarski in 20:18, and Kyle Full in 20:25.

Ashley Evans (SR) won for women in 24:18, followed by Corrie Desilets (SR) in 24:39, while Kaylee Amoriell (Peru HS) placed third in 25:16.  Sandy Rasco (Cadyville, NY) finished in fourth in 29:47 to win the 50 -59 age division, followed by Jess Setter (SO, Paul Smith’s) in 31:31 followed by Cindy Garson (Lake Clear) in 32:17 to win the age 40 – 49 category. 

Kids .8Km ‘Noshoe Race Results:  Liam and Ashling Stack of Saranac Lake competed in the .8 Km (about a half mile) ‘Noshoe race and finished in 7:37 and 8:37 respectively. 

Akron High School Snow Tigers:  Bob Kowalik, Akron High School cross country coach became involved with snowshoe racing while his son Eric Kowalik was a student at Paul Smith’s College.  Although Eric graduated a couple years ago, Bob had promised to bring up some of his Akron Tigers to our Jingle Bell and get the kids involved in snowshoe racing a couple years ago to continue their training during the winter months.  The Snow Tigers will likely compete at snowshoe races in Rochester this winter and return to the area for the Empire State Games in early February.  This trip, there were over a dozen runners and parents from western New York to spend the weekend in the Adirondacks, compete in the Jingle Bell event, and to see Paul Smith’s College.  Despite the lack of snow, the folks from Akron have enjoyed the time in the North Country.

There were a total of 26 athletes who took part in this year’s Jingle Bell 5K, including 9 Paul Smith’s College students.  The complete results follow.