Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Runners of All Ages Take Part in Gordon's Fighting 400 5K


Nearly 100 runners and walkers took to the streets of Gordon on Memorial Day weekend as the Gordon Fire Company hosted its annual Fighting 400 5K on Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The event, which benefits the Gordon Fire Company, drew participants of all ages who navigated the challenging course through the borough, featuring a mix of flat sections and hills before finishing at the community park.

Leading the way overall was Owen Mentzer, 15, of Ashland, who captured the men's overall title with a winning time of 18:44.27. Mentzer's performance earned him the top overall finish among the 103 participants.

Deneen Reese, 42, was the first female across the finish line, claiming the women's overall title with a time of 21:08.25 and placing eighth overall.

The race featured strong competition throughout the field, with Matthew O. finishing second overall in 19:22.27 and Victor Hanley of Barnesville placing third overall in 19:32.95. Gavin Jago of Ashland and Jason Montemuro of Ashland rounded out the overall top five finishers.

Several local runners turned in standout performances across the age divisions. Gordon's Genevieve Dando continued her strong history in the event by winning the Female 14-19 division in 21:57.30, while Ashland's Joey Tokarczyk captured second place in the Male 14-19 division with a time of 19:49.26.

Other age-group winners included Colton Lindenmuth (Male 13 & Under), Autumn Pedron (Female 20-29), Robert Bainbridge (Male 30-39), Samantha Monck (Female 30-39), Ryan Setlock (Male 40-49), Kelly Donchak (Female 40-49), Jason Sotlock (Male 50-59), Mary Ann Houser (Female 50-59), Craig Lowshert (Male 60-69), Ruth Cope (Female 60-69), Ralph Buchspics (Male 70 & Over), and Peggy Gradwell (Female 70 & Over).

(Pictures below the results)  

Fighting 400 5K Race Results

Male Overall Winners

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Owen MentzerAshland PA24015118:44.27

Female Overall Winners

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Deneen Reese 30042821:08.25

Male 13 and Under

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Colton Lindenmuth 31572025:06.56
2Teddy TokarczykAshland PA281112125:25.97
3Robert Rose 29582826:10.46
4Declan SullivanAshland PA276115231:47.77
5Koda Quick 32375732:36.45

Female 13 and Under

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Grace Murphy 307102525:55.22
2Mary AndersonAshland PA206134128:51.61
3Dakota DumboskiAuburn PA221134228:52.43
4Ellianna SlimmerAshland PA27294429:54.19
5Gretchen Tomtishen 31784830:39.93
6Brynn Seasock 293125131:20.68
7Emma CutticFrackville PA217125331:49.94
8J Catirowe 296106535:41.23
9Ryler Ench 320126736:04.31
10Kennedy DandoGordon PA219126836:19.39
11Rylee SullivanAshland PA27786936:54.63
12Skyler Rocje 29977238:09.52
13Lucy AndersonAshland PA205107338:52.32
14Quinn SabadayRingtown PA26897539:34.86
15Mckenna Carduff 310107840:15.69
16Audrey RexFrackville PA265117940:27.51
17Raegan HouserAshland PA23288040:32.11

Male 14 to 19

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Victor HanleyBarnesville PA22719319:32.95
2Joey TokarczykAshland PA28014519:49.26
3Cameron JonesRingtown PA23516720:07.14

Female 14 to 19

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Genevieve DandoGordon PA218151021:57.30
2Kaitlynn MenuchakAshland PA241173627:01.93
3Cecelia RauGordon PA261188642:43.24

Male 20 to 29

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Matthew O 29423219:22.27
2Gavin JagoAshland PA23421419:39.85
3Jason MontemuroAshland PA24428619:59.69
4Matthew SchachteAshland PA27022921:16.46
5Colin AhrensfieldAshland PA204271122:27.71
6Luke VolmertColumbia IL282261423:10.35
7Brady SalukasGordon PA269222325:48.54
8Evan HouserGordon PA229226134:00.11
9William JoyceAshland PA236227037:50.88

Female 20 to 29

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Autumn PedronAshland PA257261523:11.98
2Anne BaneyFleetwood PA207273226:22.12
3Courtney BurgardAshland PA212293426:59.86
4Anya PodsobinskiGordon PA259206234:00.66
5Cassidy NavarroGordon PA253279348:18.76
6Kayla WittKulpmont PA292289756:01.71

Male 30 to 39

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Robert Bainbridge 321331323:01.77
2Kevin Cole 313303026:15.71
3James CloseSaint Clair PA214303727:12.96
4Joe CatizoneGirardville PA213396635:41.85
5Gerald RocheAshland PA266397138:09.26
6Ricardo NavarroGordon PA254339448:19.53
7Eric Hughes 305399957:20.27

Female 30 to 39

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Samantha Monck 311361824:24.13
2Samantha Meulsky 312392225:41.99
3Mckenzie SternerSchuylkill Haven PA275323326:47.96
4Megan Tomtishen 316383827:35.89
5Amanda WhritenourAshland PA290394530:18.68
6Danielle LittleCatawissa PA239375532:30.54
7Anne GwinAuburn PA224347640:01.36
8Jenna HouserAshland PA230358442:27.97
9Caitlin Barnett 314378843:47.28
10Veronica BrewerAshland PA210319548:23.44
11Jackie Hughes 304389857:19.20

Male 40 to 49

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Ryan Setlock 319431623:30.15
2Samuel SlimmerAshland PA274491924:38.44
3John Murphy 308452625:56.21
4Matthew ReedWestfield PA264472726:03.95
5Richard MenuchakAshland PA242443527:01.71
6Terry BeibleheimerMilton PA209485632:31.35
7Todd HouserGordon PA233487439:26.11
8Joseph GwinAuburn PA225447740:01.85
9Andy TokarczykAshland PA279441031:02:24.44

Female 40 to 49

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Kelly Donchak 303482926:12.50
2Kelly SlimmerAshland PA273474630:32.22
3Erin ReadingAshland PA263444730:36.51
4Erin Anderson 318444930:54.62
5Kari NelsonPottsville PA255445031:11.57
6Sheila Quick 322465933:10.16
7Amanda TokarczykAshland PA278408141:04.60
8Dorthea MorganDanville PA246418342:17.49
9Angela SabadayRingtown PA267449047:03.51
10Jennifer RauGordon PA262499655:07.46

Male 50 to 59

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Jason Sotlock 298541723:36.48
2Tim MooreBrockton PA245522425:49.47
3Glenn WeistFrackville PA285569248:17.13
4Rich HarrisGordon PA228571021:01:10.67

Female 50 to 59

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Mary Ann HouserGordon PA231523928:25.70
2Theresa MulhallShenandoah PA252545832:53.36
3Amy Wahalec-ClarkAshland PA283548946:31.46
4Lori WeistFrackville PA286569148:15.49

Male 60 to 69

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Craig Lowshert 302621222:36.24
2Tim ConradAshland PA215634028:38.95
3Dave PedronPottsville PA258674329:43.53
4Bob MulhallShenandoah PA251605432:05.23
5Russell MotskoFrackville PA248638241:54.60
6Perry Harvey 309638743:26.45
7Ed Hughes 3066110057:43.95

Female 60 to 69

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Ruth CopeFrackville PA216603126:17.43
2Teresa MosesAshland PA247658542:37.48

Male 70 and Over

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Ralph BuchspicsAshland PA211766033:35.38
2David Quinter 301736334:28.43
3Brad Westhafer 297746435:07.99

Female 70 and Over

PlaceNameCityBib No.AgeOverallTotal Time
1Peggy GradwellGordon PA223731011:01:10.20