Bell, Tan lead law enforcement contingent
* Complete Back the Blue 5K results – 2019 (timing by PHDC)
* Back the Blue 5K event page
* Back the Blue 5K national website
* PHDC Facebook group (tune in here for the 2020 event)
CUMBERLAND, Md., Sept. 21, 2019 — Jacob Cobb came by his interest in the inaugural Back the Blue 5K run and walk innocently. One might say the idea of being a first-responder is in his blood — because, in fact, it is. The Mountain Ridge High School sophomore’s father is assistant chief at the Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department, and his mother is the department’s EMS chief.
Photo by Will Costello
Every 5K and 1-mile participant received a finisher’s medal, and awards went to the top 3 male and female overall and the top male and female member of the law enforcement community.
Cobb himself, meanwhile, is an aspiring law enforcement officer and currently a junior firefighter as well as a member of the Maryland State Police Explorer program. Cobb might have had the best seat in the house on Saturday morning in downtown Cumberland from which to pay tribute to members of law enforcement — both his heroes and, potentially, his future colleagues.
Cobb helped distribute medals to each finisher of the 3.1-mile event, which started and stopped under the arch at Mile 0.0 at the Western Maryland Railway Station, as well as the 1-mile runners and walkers. The course covered the first 1.55 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage, just beyond Kline’s Restaurant near the Narrows, then participants enjoyed a gradual descent on the way back to Canal Place.
Photo by Will Costello
Devin Morris accepts the award for Top Male Overall from race director Rochelle Costello.
Twenty-seven-year-old Devin Morris, of Bedford, Pa., led the field on the paved course to the turnaround and back. He managed to stop the clock in 21 minutes and 4.7 seconds for the victory. Northern Garrett High School distance standout Brandon Pickrel, 17, of McHenry, Md., was second in 21:12 while Swanton, Md., resident Kevin Cuozzo was third in 21:13.
Ted Bell, 35, of Flintstone, Md., finished fifth overall in 22:09.3 to earn the title as “top cop” for the men. Deng Tang, 35, of Gaithersburg, Md., crossed the finish line in 51:20.6 to counter Bell’s “top cop” label in the women’s standings.
Atop the female leaderboard was Olivia Green. Green, 24, of Forestville, Pa., blazed through the culturally rich trail in 22:00.1, good for fourth overall. Kasey Lambert, 33, of Oakland, Md., earned runner-up honors with a time of 22:26.3 while Hannah Lynn, 23, of Cumberland, Md., finished in 25:22.8, good for third overall among women.
Proceeds for the benefitted the Maryland Troopers Association Lodge 40, which serves Allegany and Garrett counties. The organization supports the annual Shop with a Cop in western Maryland. In addition, Lodge 40 sponsors two college scholarships each year for individuals to pursue higher education.
Photo by Will Costello
Olivia Green placed fourth overall and earned the top spot in the women’s field.
Back the Blue 5K is a national movement to support law enforcement. The organization’s founder is Joseph Murphy, a former officer with the Baltimore City Police Department.
Timing was provided by the Potomac Highlands Distance Club.
September 21, 2019
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