Ryan, Shokey Win Again in Pocono Series

The XTERRA Hickory Trail Run started with the sighting of a black bear near the registration area in the morning, and the excitement never stopped.

James Ryan of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, remained undefeated in the XTERRA Pocono Trail Run Series after a daring sprint to the finish line led him to the victory in the Hickory Trail Run. He completed the 10-kilometer course in 45 minutes, 45 seconds.

Jaclyn Shokey of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, also remained undefeated in the Pocono Series by winning the women's division. She finished with a time of 51:11, which set a women's course record.

The XTERRA Hickory Trail Run was completed on Saturday, June 2, at Hickory State Park in White Haven, Pennsylvania. It was the third of five races in the 2012 XTERRA Pocono Trail Run Series. Ryan has been the overall winner at all three races so far, while Shokey has been the top female at all three races.

 "I was running by myself pretty much the entire race, until out of nowhere, the runner-up started to catch up with me in the last mile," said Ryan, 19. "I relaxed some and let him catch up with me. I knew if I kept pushing, he would have a chance of winning the race. As soon as I seen the finish line, I took off. The finish line was on the other side of a creek, and the runner-up fell so that pretty much sealed the deal."

Grant Farrell of Lancaster placed second in 45:52 - seven seconds behind Ryan. Aaron Bova of Allentown was third in 46:23.

Shokey placed 12th overall and finished more than two minutes ahead of the other females. Over the past two years, she has been the top female at five XTERRA Pocono Series Trail Run events.

Runners ranging in age from 11 to 67 participated in the race. The course took runners past waterfalls, across streams, and into tunnels. Bill Lawrence, a runner in the 50-54 age division, described it as: "absolutely amazing...it makes me grateful just to be alive."

CLICK HERE to see the full list of results.

Ryan and Shokey will both test their skills at the XTERRA Richmond Trail Run on Saturday, June 9, at Richmond, Virginia.

"I have heard a lot of good things about the race that takes place there," Ryan said. "I'm entered in the 10K. It's going to be awesome because it's my first out of state race, and I'm looking forward to it."

The XTERRA Pocono Trail Run Series will continue on June 16, when the highlight race of the season takes place. The XTERRA Earth Conservancy Trail Run at Mocanaqua, Pennsylvania, will be a half-marathon (21K) course. The overall winners from that race will receive a round-trip air ticket to Utah to compete in the 2012 XTERRA Trail Run National Championship in September.

To register for the Earth Conservancy Trail Run, or to learn more about the Pocono Series, please visit www.wilkesbarreracing.com.

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