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Runners take off Sunday at the start of the Live Like Liz 5K Run.

Gill wins Live Like Liz 5K

WATKINS GLEN, June 4 -- Watkins Glen High School sophomore Matt Gill cruised to victory Sunday in the annual Live Like Liz 5K Run on the Watkins Glen High School track and the Catharine Valley Trail.

He completed the 3.1-mile run in 17:23, well ahead of runnerup Hunter Hoffman of Big Flats, who finished in 17:51. Josh Langley, a WGHS cross country and track teammate of Gill's, was third in 18:07.

More than 250 runners completed the race, while even more walkers strode the same course. A total of 570 people registered for the run and walk, with proceeds earmarked for the fight against ovarian cancer, the disease that claimed the life of Liz Amisano on Oct. 12, 2005 and led to establishment of the Elizabeth Amisano Ovarian Cancer Education Fund. A report on the amount of money raised Sunday was not immediately available.

There were 18 fewer runners this year than last, but more walkers this time around. Among the participants were a number of WGHS graduates: Amber Swartz, Jaclyn Conklin, Mike Upham, Shannon Hazlitt, Sarah and Molly Murphy, Stephanie Bond, Ellie Fausold (in the race along with brother John and father Charlie), Kendra Shaw, Denise Horein, Devon Crispell, and Casey Holland.

Also on hand were Jane Olafson and daughters Michaela and Shelby. The Olafsons moved from Watkins Glen to Georgia last year, but were here on the weekend for a visit. Shelby didn't run because she sprained an ankle last week.

The first woman to finish was Melissa Woodward, a Watkins Glen School District guidance counselor. She was 13th overall in a time of 20:29.

Some rain fell before the race, receded to sprinkles during it, and then returned later. The temperature was cool -- ideal for running, said a number of those who ran the course.

The two winners were new to the Live Like Liz victory circle -- Gill supplanting former Trumansburg High School two-time victor Cody Scott, and Woodward succeeding Nikki Deiseroth. Gill did, however, lead the 15-to-19 age group last year.

Scott, of Ithaca, finished 9th Sunday, while Deiseroth was third among the women and 28th overall.

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Photos in text:

Top: Matt Gill nears the finish line.

Bottom: Melissa Woodward at the end of her run.

Also participating:

A group of runners soon after the start of the 5K.

From left: WGHS grad Kendra Shaw, Kirk Peters and WGHS student Josh Langley. Peters was celebrating his 58th birthday.

From left: Odessa-Montour grad Michele Kenney, WGHS grad Stephanie Bond, and Jessica Lawson of Addison, who was among the earliest of the female finishers.

Left: WGHS grad Denise Horein. Right: Michaela Olafson, a former WGHS student now living in the South.