Pocono News Section

Record Number of Runners In 98th Run For The Diamonds

Record Number of Runners In 98th Run For The Diamonds - Thursday, November 22, 2007 at 4:58PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Thursday, Nov 22, 2007 @04:58pm EST
BERWICK, COLUMBIA COUNTY --it's a Thanksgiving Day tradition nearly one-hundred years in the making. A record number of athletes left the turkeys in the oven and raced for a chance to win diamond rings and pendants this morning as part of the 98th "Run for the Diamonds" in Berwick.

Thursday’s warm temperatures made for a mild start to the 98th Run for the Diamonds. It’s a Berwick tradition that brings out the young and old. Thursday, a record 12 hundred athletes laced up their sneaks, including Carla Edwards who's running with her fiancee. Her mom, Mary, left the turkey in the oven to support them. Carla says "it's a great tradition in the area. Its a beautiful race. Everyone comes out and it's Thanksgiving. What better time to run with friends and family?"

Friends Jeff Eyerly and Stephane Cloud are running this race for the first time but for the oddest reason we've heard. Stephane says "I heard there's a diamond to win so I'm going to try to win a diamond. My wife, she says I need a diamond, I need a diamond. So if i can get a free one"

Thousands of cheering fans line the nine- mile route through the borough, rooting for friends and family and an ocassional elf. Helene Strutko says "that's how my parents will know that I'm coming through. They'll see me!" At two miles into the race, runners really earn that extra scoop of stuffing later today. They climb a punishing mile long hill. Bridget Carlin says "it makes me feel better when i do pig out afterwards." In the crowd, Rich Hause, possibly the oldest runner first ran this just after World War Two and hasn't missed a race since the early 80's. Hause says "it's my hometown and I enjoy running and I haven't missed a day in 24 years 192 days --without missing a day. You run everyday? If you eat you run."

And run they do. Up Foundryville Road in a quest for the diamond and that's where reality sets in for Stephane who calls out “I don't think I'm getting the diamond today."

But on this holiday, runners have plenty to be thankful for. And that good home-cooked meal is likely first in their mind.

Here are the winners of today's race: Tristan Colangelo of Charlottesville, Virginia finished first among the men. And Maria Monks of Hazleton was the first woman to cross the finish line. For more information on the winners log onto