2024 RESULTS
2024 Oak Tree Race
There were 546 finishers in the 20th Oak Tree Half Marathon & 5K that took place in Geneseo on September 1, 2024. This was an 18% increase over last year’s numbers.
This year marked the 20th anniversary for the Oak Tree Half Marathon &5K. In keeping with event tradition, overall winners each went home with a Genesee Valley grown Oak Tree to plant!
The Oak Tree, which benefits Genesee Valley Conservancy, is a fundraiser for the local land conservation the not-for-profit does, working to protect habitat, open space, and farmland in the Genesee Valley. The Conservancy currently protects over 35,000 acres of land, including 3,000 along the Oak Tree courses.
This year, the Oak Tree 5k stole the spotlight as it was a featured race on both the Greater Rochester Running Club’s Rochester Runner of the Year Series and on the USATF Niagara Region’s Grand Prix and Runner of the Year Series, drawing top talent from across New York. As a result MANY records were broken in this year’s 5k race.
NEW American 5k Record Set!
Edna Hyer (Orchard Park) set a new American record in the W90-94 age group at this year’s race, with her 42:55 run. The previous record for this group was set in California back in 2002. This year’s Oak Tree 5K was a USATF Sanctioned race, allowing National records such as this to be made and certified. Official certification of this record will come later this year as the paperwork from the race documenting the course layout, conditions, and Edna’s run (start, on-course, finish) will be submitted to officially codify this amazing achievement.
Oak Tree 5K
There were 384 finishers in the Oak Tree 5K, up from 254 last year.
Scott Loforte (Canandaigua) set a new course record with his 14:58, as he finished just 7 seconds ahead of Armani Merlino (Lancaster) and 22 seconds ahead of Joseph Whelan (Webster) who rounded out the top three. 2023 winner Simon Aguilar finished 7th overall and was the first from Geneseo to finish with his 15:49 which was 46 seconds faster than his time last year. Loforte’s record run replaced the time set by Bobby Henchen (Geneseo) that stood since 2011.
Gabrielle Orie (Orchard Park) set a new course record for the women with her 16:32, finishing 14th overall, and 28 seconds ahead of runner up Bella Burda (Ithaca) and 1 min and 9 seconds ahead of third place Trisha Byler (Honeoye Falls). Orie’s time lowered the previous course record set by Laura Iafrati (Eggertsville) in 2009. Catherine Staley of Geneseo finished in 20:33, making her the first Geneseo female finisher this year.
5K Age Groups
This year’s 5k was a record setter. On the men’s side, it is easier to mention the age group records NOT broken…just 3 of the 14 age group records held up this year. Age records from as far back as 2010 were broken today. Simon Aguilar set the 15-19 in 15:49. Scott Loforte set the 20-24 in 14:58. Henry Williams set the 25-29 in 15:33. Joseph Whelan set the 30-34 in 15:20. Kenny Goodfellow set the 35-39 in 15:43. Ken Crawford set the 40-44 in 16:58. Marcus Gage set the 50-54 in 18:07. John McMahon set the 55-59 in 17:28. Time Dwyer set the 60-64 in 19:33. Kc Bailey set the 65-69 in 20:06. AND James Robinson set the 70+ bracket with his 21:37.
On the women’s side, *just* six new age group records were set. Gabrielle Orie lowered the 25-29 record to 16:32. Jenn Spitzer lowered the 30-34 group to 18:41. Kelsey Ryan lowered the 35-39 group to 18:50. Rachel Johnson lowered the 45-49 group to 20:54. AND Amy McMahon lowered the 55-59 group to 20:26.
Oak Tree Half Marathon
There were 162 finishers in the Oak Tree Half Marathon.
Humberto Wallace (Brockport) defended his 2023 victory to win this year’s Half in 1:12:59, shaving 1 minute and 57 seconds off of his previous course time. Wallace had a comfortable victory, finishing 7 minutes and 24 seconds ahead of runner-up Kyle Sobon (Kenmore) who finished in 1:20:24 (still and impressive 6:09 pace!). A minute and 57 seconds behind Sobon was Philip Nesbitt (Caledonia) who ran a 1:22:21 to finish in third overall. Joshua Matthews was the first Geneseo finisher this year, coming in 15th overall in a time of 1:40:05.
Mary Beth Kushner (Rochester) took home the women’s title, her first Oak Tree victory. Kushner ran a 1:42:13 finishing 34 seconds of runner up Julia Druce (New York). Lisa Bice (Churchville) finished third in a time of 1:44:17. Addy Capel finished 26th overall and as the first Geneseo female finisher with her 1:46:14.
Results
For errors on the race results or any other issues/comments, please email Ben at oaktree@geneseevalleyconservancy.org