Apr 29, 2026 By Jonathan Guth 3 min read

Jesse Irwin returned to the winner’s circle Sunday morning in the Mt. Summit Challenge.

The 39-year-old resident of Connellsville raced up 3 ½ miles to the historic Summit Inn to win the race in 26:16.4. Irwin was second last year to Elizabeth’s Mitchell Minda.

Uniontown’s Brent Lopick, 47, was second in 27:20.8 and Pittsburgh’s Riccardo Monaco, 64, finished third in 27:49.5.

Dunbar’s Debbie Conner, 55, won the women’s run in 30:58.4. Ohiopyle’s Brynn Cunningham, 43, was runner-up in 21:46.3 and Rockwood’s Colleen O’Neil, 34, placed third in 32:43.8.

Brownsville’s Ryan Lenk, 34, won the men’s walk in 43:26.8. McClellandtown’s Matthew Burns, 44, was second in 44:23.4 and Masontown’s Carl Shotts, 44, was third in 45:38.

Uniontown’s Cathy Brown, 44, topped the field in the women’s walk in 48:05. Perryopolis’ Meghan Leary, 36, was second in 48:20.5 and Ashley Dubovich, 30, took third in 49:21.7.

The following runners won their age group in the male division: Landon Piwowar, 35:39.9, 14-and-under; Caleb Hixenbaugh, 29:50.1, Grindstone, 15-18; Carson Schloder, 29:47, Canonsburg, 19-29; Shawn Nicholson, 31:10.2, Connellsville, 30-39; Levi Foust, 28:52, Johnstown, 40-49; Jason Hoerter, 31:14, Pittsburgh, 50-59; Jim Morris, 37:29, 60-69; Mark Detweiler, 40:37.7, Uniontown, 70-79; Jim Beck, 1:08.37, Uniontown, 80-and-over.

The following runners won their age group in the female division: Carlin Shilk, 46:55.7, Uniontown, 14-and-under; Kaitlyn Kramer, 45:20.3, Nemacolin, 15-18; Mara Shrader, 44:58, Belle Vernon, 19-29; Sarah Amos, 34:59.2, Fairmont, W.Va., 30-39; Amanda Barber, 36:10, Hopwood, 40-49; Amy Dunkin, 39:33.4, Uniontown, 50-59; Connie Frazier, 41:56, Monroeville, 60-69.

The following walkers won their age group in the male division: Ezra Stanton, 49:40.1, Uniontown, 14-and-under; Logan Orr, 55:34.3, Uniontown, 19-29; William Close, 54:30.8, Markleysburg, 30-39; Matthew Monheim, 57:47.1, Finleyville, 40-49; Brian Chang, 51:13.9, Morgantown, W.Va., 50-59; Jim Downey, 47:27.5, Connellsville, 60-69; George Zubeck, 1:04.09, Leisenring, 70-79; Ralph Warman, 57:14.1, Uniontown, 80-and-over.

The following walkers won their age group in the female division: Adelina Stanton, 58:30.7, Uniontown, 14-and-under; Sophia Faddis, 55:51.9, 15-18; Isabella Tori, 51:38.6, Morgantown, W.Va., 19-29; Christina Petko, 52:12.6, 30-39; Mandy Fike, 49:54.4, Uniontown, 40-49; Susan George, 50:16.5, Uniontown, 50-59; Genny Barndollar, 52:15.7, Ohiopyle, 60-69; Karen Clister, 58:04.5, Bruceton Mills, W.Va., 70-79.

Gary Over, 44, won the cruiserweight division in 38:09. Farmington’s Tim Hochstetler, 42, was second in 40:18.4 and Washington’s Brent Carobonara, 40, was third in 46:35.4.

Farmington’s Garett Pyle, 32, won the 1-99 age group in a time of 47:48.5.

Pittsburgh’s Sean Stiffey, 35, was the heavyweight champion in a time of 35:26.8. Garry Ankrom, 23, was second in the division in 42:05.2 and Connellsville’s Mario Piccolomini, 32, was third in 43:08.7.

Hopwood’s Brad Thomas, 46, won the 1-99 age division in 1:01:38.9.

The Mt. Summit Challenge was established in 1983 and is hosted by The Fayette Striders running club. Tammy Shell is the race director.