Molosky, Mann triumph over the Draggin' in Smaug-free Sunny Hills

Tallahassee's Vince Molosky extended his Draggin' Tail 18-mile challenge winning streak to four races at the 18th annual edition of that event on Saturday morning, 17 November 2012. Molosky covered the course through the streets of Sunny Hills, Florida in 1:47:47, finishing the 18 miles before any other runner in the race had gone even 16 miles. It was the fastest of the four Draggin' Tail wins that Molosky had collected from 2009 to 2012. Gabriel Garza was the next runner across the finish line, putting up a 2:01:46 for the rolling 18 miles. Sean Smith took third in 2:19:20. Tallahassee's Chuck Davis was the fastest master runner in the race, finishing fourth in 2:21:04. The next master runner in was Tallahassee's Mike Burns, fifth in 2:25:46.


Panama City Beach distance runner Amy Mann's 2:27:38 wasn't quite as fast as the 2:27:01 that she ran at the 2008 Draggin' Tail, but in 2012 it was good enough for sixth place overall and first female honors. Mann finished the race a comfortable 250 meters ahead of the women's runner up, Debbie Wittmer, who was eight overall in 2:28:58. Wittmer was the first master woman in the 2012 Draggin' Tail.


The number of participants at the Draggin' Tail was slightly down from the previous year, which was already lightly attended. With only 35 finishers in the 18-mile challenge, plus six 3 x 6-mile relay teams and 17 finishers in the 5K, the Draggin' Tail seems on the verge of becoming as extinct as the dragons that grace the race trophies and T-shirts. Athletes who love this event should start training for the 19th annual race (23 November 2013) and plan on bringing a friend or two.


Top Ten Men, 18th annual Draggin' Tail 18-Mile Challenge

1. 1:47:47 ~ Vince Molosky
2. 2:01:46 ~ Gabriel Garza
3. 2:19:20 ~ Sean Smith
4. 2:21:04 ~ Chuck Davis
5. 2:25:46 ~ Mike Burns
6. 2:28:21 ~ Ronald Dempsey
7. 2:31:57 ~ Shelton Ansley
8. 2:39:43 ~ Steven Key
9. 2:39:46 ~ Mike Dueitt
10. 2:42:57 ~ Joshua Noel

Top Ten Women, 18th annual Draggin' Tail 18-Mile Challenge

1. 2:27:38 ~ Amy Mann
2. 2:28:58 ~ Debbie Wittmer
3. 2:49:48 ~ Birgit Maier-Katkin
4. 2:49:49 ~ Sandra Canada
5. 2:54:42 ~ Amy Richardson
6. 2:54:55 ~ Lisa Klekowski
7. 3:04:23 ~ Jana Davis
8. 3:09:51 ~ Kim Nusbaum
9. 3:13:19 ~ Maria Matheu
10. 3:19:24 ~ Denise Carter

3 x 6-Mile Relay Teams

1. 2:21:12 ~ The Civil Engineers (male)
2. 2:22:06 ~ Hammer Down (female)
3. 2:25:45 ~ Cougar & Bait (two person)
4. 2:44:07 ~ Three’s Company (mixed)
5. 2:46:15 ~ 2 Dudes & a Chick (mixed)
6. 3:12:11 ~ Team: AOC (mixed)

Recent Draggin' Tail Challenge winners, 2000-2012
Date	Men	Women
17 NOV 2012	1:47:47, Vince Molosky	2:27:38, Amy Mann
19 NOV 2011	1:48:35, Vince Molosky	2:25:55, Michelle Patterson
18 NOV 2010	1:52:43, Vince Molosky	2:06:10, Hadley Nyquist
21 NOV 2009	1:51:31, Vince Molosky	2:07:43, Hadley Nyquist
22 NOV 2008	1:55:32, Jack McDermott	2:20:45, Dana Black
17 NOV 2007	2:00:32, Michael Martinez	2:21:27, Dana Black
18 NOV 2006	1:55:39, Jack McDermott	2:23:50, Melinda Fountain
19 NOV 2005	1:55:19, Jack McDermott	2:18:19, Lisa Purul
20 NOV 2004	1:59:57, Nathan Tarver	2:31:57, Gloria Ramirez
22 NOV 2003	1:50:25, Mike Lilly	2:20:08, Julie Clark
23 NOV 2002	1:46:42, Jessie Blanton	1:57:44, Valerie Connaghton
17 NOV 2001	1:56:34, Rick Melendez	2:30:11, Cheryl Lanke
18 NOV 2000	1:57:43, Alan Swigler	2:14:38, Laurel Slyck
21 NOV 1998	1:49:22, Terry Williams	2:23:48, Janet Register
1997	Brian Corbin
25 NOV 1995
If anyone has the missing winners from 1995 to 1999, I would  really,really like to include those names and times here! ~ HW

Links:

• Complete results of the 2012 Draggin' Tail at gulfwinds.org
  http://www.gulfwinds.org/raceresults/2012/Draggin%20Tail%202012.asp
  
  
• Photos of the 2012 Draggin' Tail 18-Mile Challenge
  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.374132416010553.90619.112939732129824
  
  
• 2011 story, "Molosky and Patterson are Draggin' slayers in Sunny Hill"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/11/draggin-tail-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, "Molosky, Nyquist up to the challenge at Draggin' Tail"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/11/draggin-tail-2010.html
  
  
• Draggin' Tail Runners on Facebook
  https://www.facebook.com/DragginTailRunners
  
  
• Find upcoming long runs in the region with and without mythical beasts
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1