2005 Tussey Teaser #1 -  2^nd annual Tussey Switchbacker 10K
March 12, 2005
by Mike Casper

Nine stalwart individuals took on the partly clear macadam of Bear Meadows Road and the snowy gravel switchbacks of Laurel Run Road at the second Tussey Switchbacker 10K. The route cuts up to the final crest of the hill, at the junction with the Mid-State Trail, then returns to the ski area parking lot. Uncontested leader Denny Simonetti seemed to relish the ascent – at the first switchback going up, second-place Jeff Weinschenk was prompted to ponder whether Denny was sporting snow tires. Back at the finish, Denny confided that he’d thought about using some clamp-on spikes, but didn’t bring them. Even so, he set a new mark for the course. Martha Michael ably represented her gender, logging 5^th place and setting down the women’s mark for future contenders. The indefatigable Glenn Wright took honors as both the runner coming the furthest distance to run (from Cassville) and the most senior. Many seemed to relish the experience of negative splits (second half faster than the first).