Penn Relays - Racewalks

Opening Saturday's competition at the Penn Relays was the men's 10,000m racewalk. Shore AC's Rich Leuttchau took the lead from the gun and never relinquished it, taking the coveted Penn watch with a personal best 46:33.03. Rich expected close competition from second placer Theron Kissinger, but it never developed as his lead grew to about 300 m by the end of the race. Rich had the following to say about his race: "I felt good and smooth through the whole thing, I was really happy and really surprised. I knew that I had a chance to win with Boyles and none of the other big names going, but I didn't expect to lead the whole race. It was a great feeling with a mile to go knowing that, barring doing something stupid, that I would win. I was really happy."
Also enjoying success in this race was Dave Talcott. Dave faced a challenge from Doug Johnson for the masters title before Johnson's two red cards caused him to slow. Dave's 52:12.06 gave him 4th overall in addition to the masters gold.
In the women's 5000m racewalk, Panse Geer competed against a field much her junior to finish as second master. Her excellent 29:52.67 was a track best, just two seconds off her road personal best set in 2005, and quicker than her bronze medal winning race at last years World Masters Championships. Panse looks to be in position to defend her National Masters title this summer in Spokane.