09/07/2024
Dillabaugh does it, wins Popcorn Panic 5 Mile! Nova 3rd!
Valparaiso, IN | The 45th edition of the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival kicked off with the 46th running of the Popcorn Panic. Over 360 runners toed the line Saturday morning on a cool, overcast day as the gun went off. NLS Running Project athletes, Jimmy Dillabaugh, 19, and Nathan Nova, 19, took control of the race from the start. Dillabaugh and Nova came through the 1 mile mark at 5:17, 10 seconds ahead of the second pack that featured 4-time Popcorn Panic Champion, Niko Jeftich (2015, 2017, 2018, 2019), South Bend native Justin Kowalski, 39, and 2014 VHS alum Andrew Jankowski, 29. Kowalski was able to catch Dillabaugh and Nova at the 2 mile mark and it was down to a 3 man race for the title. Kowalski took the lead at the halfway mark of the race and began to put some distance between him and Dillabaugh. As the runners came up the famous Harrison Blvd hill at the 4 mile mark, Kowalski had a 30 meter lead over Dillabaugh and Nova was 50 meters behind him. As Kowalski made the left hand turn onto Lincolnway to the uphill finish, Dillabaugh, eyeing his first Popcorn Panic Title, made one last surge. Dillabaugh was able to pass Kowalski with 100 meters to go and won the race in a time of 26:24 (5:17/M). Kowalski finished 2nd in 26:28 (5:18/M) with Nova crossing the line strong in 3rd with a time of 27:07 (5:25/M).
Top 5 Overall Finishers:
1. Dillabaugh 26:24
2. Kowalski 26:28
3. Nova 27:07
4. Jeftich 28:00
5. Jankowski 28:17
Congratulations to all runners on an incredible race and a special congratulations to Dillabaugh and Nova!
