Although it was a damp, cloudy morning, it didn't stop over a hundred runners and walkers from participating in the 4th Annual 5K Bear Run and Fun Walk, sponsored by the West End Rotary Club.

Matthew Frable of Brodheadsville, came in as the Overall winner, with a time of 17 minutes and 44 seconds. He has held that honor for every one of the four years. He even beat his last year time by eight seconds.Frable was the top Overall Male and first place winner in the 19-29 age Men's Division.Dana McAllister, 14, of Effort was the top Overall Female for the second consecutive year and first place winner in the 14-18 age category in the Female Division with a time of 21 minutes and 4 seconds. She is a freshman at Pleasant Valley High School and a member of the cross country team.Bob Schreibmaier of Kresgeville, was the Overall Male winner in the walking division and Jen McKee, 15 of Saylorsburg, came in as the Overall Female winner in the walking division.There were about 160 registrants who completed the 3.1 mile course at Pleasant Valley High School stadium and surrounding area, in Brodheadsville.Runners and walkers were often accompanied by family and friends.First timers to the 5K Bear Run, cousins Hillary Smith, 20 and Becky Smith, 26, of Jackson Township, both ran for their alma mater, Pocono Mountain High School."We try to run together on weekends," says Hillary, a student at East Stroudsburg University.Becky went on to run for Millersville University for four years and is signed up to run in the Lehigh Valley 1/2 marathon."I enjoy it. Running is my time to be me," says Becky.Hillary says running "helps get the stress out."They both enjoyed the 5K Bear Run and Fun Walk and liked the course. They thought it was a very organized event and plan to come back next year.Prizes were awarded to the top three finishers in eight age groups for both male and female runners. Awards were also given to the top three walkers in the event.In the various age groups, the first, second and third place winners, male and female, were:*13 and under age group1st-Seth Slavin, 21:44; 2nd-Shane McDermott, 24:40; 3rd-Robert Agens, 25:451st-Kailey Jackett, 25:49; 2nd-Samantha Agens, 32:51; Madison Smith, 36:29*14-181st-Tom O'Leary, 19:25; 2nd-Phil Romansky, 22:07; 3rd-Geoff Steinmetz, 28:521st- Dana McAllister, 21:04; 2nd- Kaitlyn Smith, 21:32; 3rd-Kayla Kishbaugh, 25:04*19-291st-Matt Frable, 17:44; 2nd-Harold Biechy, 21:51; 3rd-Albert Oliana, 22:001st-Hillary Smith, 24:06; 2nd-Becky Smith, 24:11; 3rd-Megan Frantz, 25:14*30-391st-Butch Werkeiser, 24:54; 2nd-Jeff Royall, 25:32; 3rd-Neil Tartanella, 25:321st- Jennifer Kucheruk, 26:57; 2nd-Angela George, 28:08; 3rd-Melissa Bogli, 28:12*40-491st-Richard Rimple, 20:51; 2nd-Kelly Smith, 21:11; 3rd-Michael Landes, 26:021st-Tracey Slavin, 24:47; 2nd-Jeanne Kron, 26:05; 3rd-Lori-Jo Yarosh, 28:49*50-591st-Frank Brown, 21:00; 2nd-Lee Milner, 21:09; 3rd-Dennis Silance, 21:521st- Rhonda Nicholls, 25:17; 2nd-Juliette Caines, 28:01; 3rd-Daryl Reinhardt, 28:43*60-691st-Ed O'Connor, 26:43; 2nd-David Rich, 26:581st-Maryanne Boyer, 30:22; 2nd-Patricia Reilly, 39:25; 3rd-Janice Burger, 39:90*70 +1st-Robert McDonald, 25:04; 2nd-Andy Charalambous, 29:18The Rotary club made about $1,500. Proceeds will be donated to American Cancer Society's West End Relay For Life and other Rotary projects. The Relay For Life is being held Saturday, June 4-Sunday, June 5 at the PV stadium in Brodheadsville."Thanks to everyone for participating in the Bear Run. I couldn't have done it without the help, support and dedication of the members of the Rotary," said Jim Mannello, chairman of the event.Results from the race can be seen on the Rotary site at

www.westendrotary.org on the lower right hand column under "Downloads."