Runners Sprint Across Media 5 Mile Race Finish Line

There's a reason the Media 5 Mile Race has been around for more than three decades — because the runners and the spectators enjoy every minute of it.

The 32nd installment of the race was no exception. Several hundred locals, possibly thousands, turned out to cheer on the 1,400 runners. State Street was packed shoulder to shoulder from Edgemont Street to Veterans' Square, especially from the starting line (which was in front of the ) to the finish line (at the Veterans' Square intersection). Many streets around the course could be seen throwing block parties, and the atmosphere all around Media Borough was charged with positive energy.

The runners came mostly from Media and its surrounding areas like Glen Mills, Havertown and West Chester, but some came from Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and even one from South Lake Taho, California, and spanned a wide variety of ages from 11 to 77 — although some younger participants gathered at Barrall Field for the children's races.

Many organized teams were in attendance, including Team Screwball of the Tug McGraw Foundation, who had set up shop outside the Plumstead Inn, an establishment that Tug McGraw himself used to frequent when in the area. Team Screwball featured 10 runners in this year's 5-miler, up from last year's five runners, and captained by Patch's own . They raised $1,700 at last year's race, and were hoping to improve on that number this year, said Genvieve Goldstein, the foundation's events director.

The 32-year-old race has become a tradition in some families, with runners spanning two or three generations. One such runner was Allison Dargay, 21, from Glen Mills. Dargay has run in the Media 5 Mile Race since she was a freshman in high school, and her mother ran in the 80s and early 90s. Dargay had a positive outlook on her chances in the 1,400 person field.

"Top 10," she boldly predicted with a smile and a laugh, "maybe 11th if I'm having an off day."

Media Borough resident Jack O'Neill, 9, and his cousin Sebastian, 10, were front and center on the starting line. Sebastian made the trip down from Massachusetts, and the two were running the race for the second time.

"We're going to finish it this time, though," said O'Neill.

The opening ceremonies were held in front 1 W. State Street, with the Star Spangled Banner sung by Monica Simpson, who was also the race director. The starting horn sounded shortly after 7 p.m., and the winner crossed the finish line 25:27.67 later.

Dan Mills, 23, from Ardmore, took first place overall. Zach Miller, 27, from Brookhaven, came in second with a time of 25:57.15. Pat Hayburn, 26, from Havertown, finished third with a time of 26:24.03. At 31:27.94, Media's own Merande Schwelin, 37, was the first woman to cross the finish line. Mills, Miller, Hayburn and Schwelin were all members of the team.

Another notable finish was Downingtown's Griffin Liebsch, who finished seventh overall at the impressively young age of 13.

Full results of the race can be found here.

After the race, spectators and runners came together to fill the two blocks of Veterans' Square from State Street to the Delaware County Courthouse. The Roger Girke Band played at the top of the hill while the dense crowd availed themselves of free food and drinks provided by dozens of generous vendors while they awaited the award ceremonies. Top finishers in all the different age and sex groupings received trophies and glass mugs in recognition of their acheivements.