Blough, Taylor win Lowe's 5K

The local spring racing season opened in late March with the first race of the Onteora Grand Prix, the Lowe's 5K in Highland, and the Shawangunk Runners showed that their winter of training had paid off, sweeping the top places. Chris Blough, a new member of the Gunks, won the race in 16:58, a solid opening-season time on a cold, windy day. Mendy Taylor took the women's overall title with a startling 18:24, notching a nearly 90-second margin of victory. You guys rule!

Steve Schallenkamp won the 50-59 age group, placing seventh overall in 18:13. Brian Nagle took second in the same group. Chris Peone was second among 40-49 men, outkicking Mendy for eighth overall. Next time, Chrissy, pick on someone your own age. Jon and Tomi Stern also turned in nice performances, with Tomi placing third overall for women. Longtime "Friends of the Gunks" Abidi Bouzza and John McGovern placed third and fourth overall, respectively.

Full results can be found at http://www.onteorarunners.org/results/lowes2008.htm.