The 2025 Women’s Distance Festival 5K took place on Mother’s Day along the beautiful Jim Schug Trail in Dryden. Women and girls of all ages came out to run, walk, skip or jump along the 5K course. We enjoyed good weather, community, family and fun as we celebrated women’s running in memory of cofounder Diane Sherrer. Full results of the 113 finishers are available at: https://fingerlakesrunners.org/race/womens-distance-festival-2025/
It was a day of fast times and strong performances. Emily Miller, 23, of Freeville claimed the overall win in a swift 18:19, just ahead of our first masters runner Anne Riordan, 40, of Brooktondale, who clocked 18:23. Liz Hartman, 42, of Ithaca rounded out the top three with a solid time of 20:36. In the veterans (60+) division, Joan Rappaport, 61, of Manlius finished first in 22:45.
In addition to the traditional age group awards, awards went to the youngest and oldest finishers. Ellory Hartwell (age 2) and Averia Hartwell (age 4) completed the course in 58:39, accompanied by their mother, Shealena Hartwell. Kate Merriman, age 78, received the oldest participant award.
The event ran smoothly thanks to volunteers Katie Stettler and David Deicher, who assisted with registration and the finish line, course marshals Donald Tily and Joshua Marnell, and the FLRC timing crew: Adam Engst, Dave Kania, and Jesse Koennecke.
We look forward to continuing the celebration of women’s running in 2026.
—Lorrie Tily and Chris Irving, Race Directors