Neil Christopher tops among locals again at Brentwood Firecracker 5K

Ray Fisher
Sunday, July 11, 2021 11:01 a.m. | Sunday, July 11, 2021 11:01 a.m.

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Jeff Healy | For the Tribune-Review

Neil Christopher checks his time as the leading borough runner at the 2021 Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run on July 4 on Brownsville Road. Christopher has won the borough championship five consecutive times. He placed 10th overall this year with a time of 17:51.

He’s still No. 1.

Despite experiencing a pandemic-protocoled gap year in 2020, Brentwood’s Neil Christopher retained his title at the 38th annual Brentwood Firecracker 5K Run held July 4 on Brownsville Road.

Christopher, 26, finished first among male runners from Brentwood for the fifth consecutive summer.

And this time he dominated.

The 2013 Brentwood graduate posted a 17:51 to easily defend his claim as Brentwood’s best and, in the process, eclipsed his previous championship performance of 17:53 in 2017.

Christopher, who has competed in the Boston Marathon, logged a time of 18:19 in 2019, along with a 19:12 (’16) and 19:22 (’18) in previous years.

He placed 10th overall at this year’s event.

Other medal-worthy performances among male runners from Brentwood were achieved by Ethan Hoey, 20, (20:36), Jayneil Latham, 19, (20:48), Chris Ritter, 38, (21:00), Michael Umbel, 15, (21:13), Ryan Vickless, 26, (21:34), Logan Metzger, 13, (21:51), and Kevin Billy, 39, (22:35).

The borough champion in the female division was 26-year-old Victoria Kuntz, who crossed the finish line in 26:39.

Her closest challenge came from Reagan Aston-Reese, 10, at 28:34, followed by Dorothy Rigby, 38, (29:12), Paula Metzger, 45, (29:20), Deanna Wallace, 49, (30:11), Ashleigh McDonough, 35, (30:21), Hannah Kostyak, 20, (30:24), and Melissa Cuban, 30, (30:34), in the top eight.

McDonough’s sister-in-law, Krystal, 36, was a borough champion in 2019 thanks to a 24:53 effort.

Here is a look at all age division winners at this year’s race :

Male — 11 & Under: Alex Lauver (21:25), — Johnny Unice (19:55), 15-19: Tyler Paszkowski (17:12), 20-24: Al Lindstrom (17:38), 25-29: John Mihalek (16:40), 30-34: Brandon Hahn (18:25), 35-39: Steve Spang (17:40), 40-44: Emery Strotman (18:08), 45-49: William White (23:26), 50-54: Eric Anish (17:44), 55-59: Michael Goodin (19:44), 60-64: Steve Kaufman (22:36), 65-69: David Charlton (22:37), 70 & Over: Dean Rowland (24:54).

Female — 11 & Under: Marcelle Minutolo (24:54), 12-14: Ella Unice (22:55), 15-19: Lydia Rhodes (20:30), 20-24: Tessa Franchi (20:20), 25-29: Melanie Shaffer (25:23), 30-34: Jessica Horvath (20:30), 35-39: Sharon Smith (22:53), 40-44: Natalie Eaton (21:51), 45-49: Kari King (21:45), 50-54: Melanie Weaver (23:13), 55-59: Vicky Henefeld (27:27), 60-64: Kim Simon (24:29), 65-69: Geri Ewing (33:51), 70 & Over: Maureen McGrogan (41:45).

Note: Age division titlists traveled to the race from various places in the tri-state area, including Aliquippa, Bunola, Clairton, Coal Center, Dormont, Gibsonia, Glenshaw, Jefferson Hills, Monaca, Pittsburgh, Vandergrift and Weirton, W.Va.