Published: July 17, 2008 11:27 pm            

LOCAL RUNNING: Snodgrass, Heuer take top spots at Frank run

Race organizer Jeff Hardy promised hot, humid weather for Thursday’s 22nd annual Tim Frank Memorial 4-mile run.

His forecast came to be true, as temperatures soared into the 80s, leaving runners gasping for air as they crossed the finish line at the foot of the Delaware Street Bridge in North Tonawanda, at the corner of Sweeney and Main streets. One runner was treated by paramedics after the race for heat exhaustion. An update on his condition wasn’t immediately available, but Hardy stressed the situation didn’t appear to be serious.

Aside from that one scary moment, the rest of the annual run went off without a hitch. A total of 293 runners and walkers took to the course, a turnout that thrilled race organizers.

“Especially with how hot it is, we’re really happy with how many people are here,” Hardy said.

For the third straight year, a new winner was crowned on both the men’s and women’s side. Former Tonawanda resident Nate Snodgrass took the top spot for the men, crossing the finish line in 23 minutes, 49 seconds.

“I was dead out there,” Snodgrass said. “It was a very hard day. The shade felt nice.”

Kelly Heuer, a Middleport resident who recently completed her sophomore year at Royalton-Hartland High School, took first for the women, in 27:14.

“I was surprised to find out I won,” Heuer said. “It feels excellent winning a race like this.”

Snodgrass moved from Tonawanda to Apalachin in 2006. He graduated from Vestal Senior High School in 2007 before completing a year at Broome Community College. He’s set to transfer to the University at Buffalo this year, where he’d eventually like to run for the Bulls.

“I have a problem with my hip flexor, so I haven’t been able to train as hard as I’d like,” he said. “But I’m going to try and walk on the indoor (track) team.”

Heuer is new to the sport, but has a promising future. After just one year on the varsity track team, she owns the school steeplechase record and shares in the 3,200 relay record. She’s using this summer to train for the upcoming season.

“I’m just getting into (the sport),” she said. “I’d never run a race like this before.”

Race organizers were busy Thursday tallying the rest of the winners in the various age groups. They will be announced at a later date.

The course records are safe for another year, as Bob Williams’ time of 19:49, set in 1989, remains the benchmark on the men’s side, while Lisa Warneke’s time of 23:41 set in 1991 remains the women’s standard.

Contact editor Jay Skurski at 693-1000, ext. 117.

        

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