Krzystofik, Keshishian win Lock 2 Lock Marathon titles

Kahsay, King earn HM victories
Khatcheressian, Smith race to 10K wins
2023 race date is Sept. 9

* Link to Facebook event page (includes additional photos)
* Marathon results
* Half Marathon results
* 10K results
* Lock 2 Lock event website

WILLIAMSPORT — It seems the town of Williamsport and the regional running community had simply been waiting for the opportunity.

Well over 100 runners and spectators from 12 states and Washington D.C. gathered in the canal town and boosted Williamsport’s population by nearly 10 percent during the inaugural Lock 2 Lock Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K footraces on Saturday along the C&O Canal Towpath. It was a good day to have a last name starting with the letter “K” — men and women with such a designation earned five of the six victories.

Runners at the start of their journeys along the C&O Canal Towpath in Williamsport for the Lock 2 Lock Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K races.

Marathon

It’s a good thing Joseph Krzystofik was in a hurry on Saturday. Had the 33-year-old runner from Silver Spring, Md., set a more recreational pace, he might not have finished first.

Krzystofik stopped the clock in 3 hours, 4 minutes and 20 seconds, leading a field of 38 finishers in the inaugural Lock 2 Lock Marathon. Devin Kelly, 31, of New York, N.Y., less than than two minutes behind. Kelly covered the 26.2-mile distance in 3:06:08. Krzystofik averaged 7:02 to mile to Kelly’s 7:06 pace. Sarah Keshishian, 29, of Rosedale, Md., finished third overall and earned the women’s title in 3:13:15, a pace of 7:23 per mile.

Gary Ashcroft, 34, of Silver Spring, placed third in the men’s race in 3:28:29, good for fourth overall, while Michael Na, 57, of Ellicott City, Md., placed fifth in 3:29:40 and was the last runner under the 3:30 barrier.

Tiaisha Myers, 44, of Fredericksburg, Va., placed second in the women’s race in 3:57:04, good for 11th overall. Amy Heinz, 64, of Wheaton, Ill., finished 14th and third in the women’s standings by crossing the finish line in 4:03:11.

As the course is USATF-certified, 7.8 percent of the field — 3 of 38 — earned Boston Marathon-Qualifying times, including Keshishian, Na and Heinz.

Half Marathon

Quinn Kahsay, 26, of Kearneysville, W.Va., led a field of 52 finishers in the Lock 2 Lock Half Marathon in 1:18:40, a pace of six minutes flat per mile. Kahsay finished with a five-minute lead over runner-up Gavin Tabb, 38, of Washington D.C., who stopped the clock in 1:23:40. Jonathan Ladson, 31, of Woodbridge, Va., was third in 1:24:05.

Dana King, 27, of California, Md., placed ninth overall and topped the women’s field in 1:39:29. Shelby Moleskie, 43, of Hagerstown, Md., was second in 1:41:32 while Bekah Keifer, 32, of Kearneysville, led a four-runner race for third place in 1:48:18.

Submitted photo
Pictured with race director Adam Lowe (left), Christopher W. Smith led the 10K men’s field, while wife Lidiaveen C. Smith placed fourth in the women’s 10K field, and won the women’s masters title.

10K 

The top three finishers of the 10K race were all female. Anne Khatcheressian, 43, of Fredericksburg, Va., won the debut Lock 2 Lock 10K race, leading 18 runners to the finish line. She covered the 6.2-mile distance in 44:05, a pace of 7:07 per mile.

Lauren Cramer, 38, of Hagerstown, Md., finished second in 49:33, while Gina McFarland, 32, of Williamsport, Md., took third in 50:31.

In the men’s race, Christopher W. Smith, 58, of Hagerstown, Md., placed first — and fourth overall — in 52:57. Clifton Scott, 39, of Port Republic, Md., took second (fifth overall) in 54:11, while Craig Leisher, 61, of Chambersburg, Pa., finished third (sixth overall) in 54:47.

* * *

From RD Adam Lowe:

First of all, Katie Swords Yoder, you are the best Assistant to the Race Director EVER. Also, a HUGE congratulations on your half marathon PR!!! 1:50:40 . I’m so incredibly proud of you and how you pushed through those last 2 miles.

Submitted photo
Wearing bib No. 103, Quinn Kahsay led the Lock 2 Lock Half Marathon field in a time of 1 hour, 18 minutes and 40 seconds. He is pictured with Adam Lowe, race director.

Race weekend started with Packet Pick up at Cushwa Brewing Company on Friday night. Shout out to them for hosting, and allowing us to have packet pick up there.

Submitted photo
Medals await Lock 2 Lock Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K finishers on Saturday in Williamsport.

We had 52 finishers in the half marathon.

Congratulations to

Male overall: Quinn Kahsay 1:18:40

Female overall: Dana King 1:39:29

Masters Male overall: Keith Morris 1:41:31

Masters Female overall: Shelby Moleskie 1:41:32