The third annual "Trot for Tots" race took place on December 7, 2003, and had over 220 registered runners total for both the 5K and 10K events. The races started near Wickes and were run on the Trail toward the Enlow Ball Field and back. The course was covered with compacted snow. The event is staged by Elite Runners and Walkers and is for the benefit of the USMC Toys for Tots and the Montour Trail. The race director for the event is Kevin Smith, the owner of Elite Runners and Walkers. Kevin is one of the major promoters of running events in the Pittsburgh area. Kevin and his staff staged the entire event. This year's event raised approximately $1,300 to be shared by the Montour Trail and the Toys for Tots along with generating several car-loads of toys that were donated by runners and businesses.

The remarkable S. Mark Courtney won the 5K, and then ran the 10K, finishing 2nd, both in the open class. At age 47 Mark rarely loses and remains very competitive. Mark is the owner of Runner's High timing service, which furnishes the timing services for the IKEA /Montour Trail ½ Marathon and 5K Run and Walk and the Burgh's Run. After the race, Mark showed off hissecret: wearing racing shoes with spikes. Most of the other runners were wearing multipurpose running shoes. Note that Doug Basinski, age 32, also doubled out, finishing second in the 5K and winning the 10K. I don't know how these guys do it I was always dead after one race!

Sabine Kane, age 43, doubled out in the women's group, winning the 5K and finishing second in the 10K open class.

The winners with pace per mile were as follows:

For complete results check Mark's website at www.runhigh.com.

The Montour Trail salutes Kevin Smith for all of the hard work done in support of the Montour Trail. Races like this one give many runners something to point to and to gauge their conditioning and have some fun.

- Jess Forquer