2022 Results

2022 OAK TREE 5K RESULTS

2022 OAK TREE HALF MARATHON RESULTS

2022 Oak Tree Winners Photos

2022 Oak Tree Race

There were 398 finishers in the 18th Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K that took place in Geneseo on September 4, 2022.  The event, which benefits Genesee Valley Conservancy, is a fundraiser for the local land conservation not-for-profit working to protect habitat, open space, and farmland in the Genesee Valley.  The Conservancy currently protects over 26,000 acres of land, including 3,000 along the Oak Tree courses.

This year’s Oak Tree Race winners are, in the half marathon, Paul Suflita (Rochester) in 1:12:47 and Lindsay Piraino (Rochester) in 1:25:42.  In the Oak Tree 5k, William Buckenmeyer (Batavia) won in 18:52 and Catherine Staley (Geneseo) won in 20:26. 

Half Marathon

In the Oak Tree Half Marathon there were 190 total finishers, up from 141 last year.  The overall and male Oak Tree Champion is again Paul Suflita of Rochester in a time of 1:12:47.  This is Suflita’s second Oak Tree appearance and second victory giving him a perfect record at the Oak Tree Half.  He bested Henry Williams (Ithaca) in 1:14:36, and past winner Chris Chichester (Lyndonville) 1:17:27, who nabbed 2nd and 3rd respectfully. Paul dropped 2 minutes and 11 seconds from last year’s victory and puts his time as the 7th fastest finish in Oak Tree history, behind just 3 other runners.

On the female side, Lindsay Piraino of Rochester won her first Oak Tree Half Marathon in 1:25:42.  In second place, Erin Gibbons (Rochester) in 1:32:34 and in third, Ashley Letteney (Rochester) in 1:35:42. Lindsay’s time is the 5th fastest for females on the Oak Tree course and makes her the 4th fastest to run the course.

Half Age Group

Two male age group records were set this year. Steve Cooperduck (Buffalo) ran a 1:23:04 to set a new record for the 50-54 age group, taking the record away from Tim Dwyer who ran a 1:25:53 in 2013. Dwyer holds just one age group records for the 45-49 bracket (he lost his 55-59 age group record in the 2021 Oak Tree). Chris Chichester (Lyndonville) who finished 3rd in 1:17:27 set a new 40-44 record by shaving 2 minutes and 19 seconds off of Jeffrey Cavallaro’s 2016 run of 1:19:46

No new female age group records were set, same as 2021.

Oak Tree 5K

There were 208 finishers in the Oak Tree 5K.  William Buckenmeyer (Batavia) posted a 18:52 to take first place, 15 seconds ahead of Patrick Ward (Rochester) who ran a 19:07.  In third place, Simon Aguilar (Geneseo) finished in 19:31 as the fastest Geneseo runner. Six seconds behind Simon was Matthew Halladay, the Land Conservationist for Genesee Valley Conservancy, finishing in 19:37! Other staff members were out amongst volunteers helping to organize today’s event.    William’s time got it done today, but it is the slowest winning time in Oak Tree 5K history - showing that all you need to do is beat the field.

On the women’s side, Catherine Staley of Geneseo captured a record breaking fifth Oak Tree 5K with her 20:46.  She surpasses Geneseo’s Bobby Henchen who has four Oak Tree titles to his name (Bobby still holds the course record). Samantha Walker (Byron) came in behind Staley in 22:29 and Jasmine Rozalski (Geneseo) finished in 22:49 to capture third. Catherine’s time puts her finish as 16th fastest in history, but she also holds the 9th, 10th, 13th and 18th fastest victories.

5k Age Group

For the second year in a row, there were no new age group course records set this year.

Results

For errors on the race results or any other issues/comments, please email Ben at oaktree@geneseevalleyconservancy.org