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Heather Amanda Ceresini, age 28, was the first finisher of the 2013 Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run, completing the strenuous and demanding 29.6-mile course in a mere 5 hours, 4 minutes, and 15 seconds -- a full fourteen minutes before the next runner came through the finish line!
Heather is no stranger to the backwoods surrounding the finish line of the Susquehanna Super Hike, at Pequea Creek Campground. Although she now lives in Downingtown, on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pequea is her hometown, and the place where, in high school, she began her life-long love of trail running. In fact, some of her favorite memories are in these woods, hiking along the Susquehanna River. Heather's childhood home is located along the Conestoga Trail, and she and her twin sister, Christine, used to venture out as much as possible on what has become one of their favorite trails.
Heather and Christine are a formidable trail-running team, taking on every event together, mile by mile, offering one another support and motivation. Unfortunately, due to plantar fasciitis, Christine was unable to match Heather's pace after mile 10 of this year's Super Hike, and they chose to part ways (Christine was the second female finisher, by the way!). Heather recalled: "This was by far the toughest run I have ever done because [Christine] wasn't with me. We don't compete with each other but we push one another. I guess that's the one thing that I don't usually run without: my twin. Next year we'll be back in action together!"
Heather loves the Super Hike because of the gorgeous views of the Susquehanna and the chance to completely "unplug" from technology and the rest of life. To this end, she prefers to hit the trails with nothing but the clothes on her back: no pack, no watch, no phone, and no water bottle (though she brings one along when neccessary)!
Heather's favorite quote? "I don't run because I love the feeling of running. I run because it makes me love the feeling of living."-- Bonnie Pfiester
Congratulations, Heather, on your accomplishment! We look forward to seeing you next year at the 6th Annual Susquehanna Super Hike and Ultra Trail Run!
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