Patrick Wallace and Martha Mazurkiewicz celebrate the return of the Saint John Road Race with wins

After being absent from the streets of Valdosta, Georgia during 2020 and 2021, the annual Saint John Road Race returned on Saturday, 29 October 2022. Patrick Wallace, the ace of the Valdosta High cross-country team, won the five-kilometer race by nearly 200 meters, running 18:08. Valdosta master runner Martha Mazurkiewicz was the first woman and the first master runner in the 5K, placing fourteenth overall in 23:39.


The date of the Saint John Road Race fell right in the middle of post-season competition for Georgia High School Cross-Country. Thus, three days before the Saint John, Patrick Wallace had been racing in Norman Park, leading his Valdosta High team with a ninth-place, 18:09 performance in the boys' 5K at the GHSA 7A Region 1 Championship Meet. Seven days after the Saint John, the sophomore was scheduled to race in the 7A State Championship Meet in Carrollton. Nevertheless, Wallace found time to race on the streets of his hometown, turning in a winning 18:08. Nor was Wallace the only high school harrier in the race. Valdosta High senior Montgomery Fann took second in the Saint John with an 18:44. Another Valdosta High senior, Burnis Williams, placed third in 18:54. David Boatwright, a Valdosta High sophomore, was fourth in 19:11. The first male master runner in the 5K was Rick Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta, fourteenth in the men's standings and fifteenth overall in 23:40.


The top master runner, though, was the first woman in the race--Martha Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta. Kelly Lunceford of Valdosta was the women's runner-up, 21st overall in 25:17. Valdosta master runner Tamara Martin placed third in the women's standings and 24th overall in 26:01.


106 athletes finished the 2022 Saint John Road Race 5K. A Course/Line, LLC, of Valdosta, Georgia timed the race and provided finish line services.


Top Ten Men, 2022 Saint John Road Race

1. 18:07.5, Patrick Wallace (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
2. 18:43.8, Montgomery Fann (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
3. 18:53.3, Burnis Williams (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
4. 19:10.7, David Boatright (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
5. 20:09.2, Juan Pablo Ledesma (M, 11) Valdosta, GA
6. 20:18.0, Christopher Keegan (M, 38) Valdosta, GA
7. 20:54.5, Carter McGhin (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
8. 21:23.2, Michael Vins (M, 37) Valdosta, GA
9. 21:39.8, Will Meisenzahl (M, 12) Valdosta, GA
10. 21:42.3, Christopher Wallace (M, 12) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, 2022 Saint John Road Race

1. 23:38.9, Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 54) Lake Park, GA
2. 25:22.7, Kelly Lunceford (F, 33) Valdosta, GA
3. 26:00.8, Tamara Martin (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
4. 26:13.6, Abbey Lineback (F, 34) Hahira, GA
5. 26:43.6, Meshea Hardeman (F, 33) Hahira, GA
6. 27:04.9, Bailey Hamilton (F, 10) Valdosta, GA
7. 27:07.0, June Richards (F, 32) Valdosta, GA
8. 27:12.0, Suzie Puckett (F, 51) Valdosta, GA
9. 27:28.9, Sierra Goff (F, 25) Hahira, GA
10. 28:15.7, Sara Rae (F, 12) Valdosta, GA

Winners of the Saint John School 5K Road Race, 2004 - 2022
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
30 October 2004	16:17 John Seppala	20:26 Susan Fischer
29 October 2005	16:10 Andy Minnicks	18:32 Melissa Daugherty
28 October 2006	16:26 Brandon Young	19:27 Melissa Daugherty	329
27 October 2007	16:38 D. J. Smith	19:06 Jana Grygarova	328
25 October 2008	17:23 Corey Stejback	19:57 Ashley Rall-McGee	286
31 October 2009	17:55 Marc Kaiser	19:42 Ashley McGee	338
30 October 2010	16:09 Chris Rice	21:03 Brandi Faircloth	326
29 October 2011	17:44 Austin Wallace	21:27 Amy Sharon	296
27 October 2012	15:54 Jesse Prince	21:29 Kelsey Morse	288
26 October 2013	17:13, Joshua Hall	20:46, Mackenzie Morse	598
25 October 2014	21:02, George Powell	22:33, Debbie Green	150
31 October 2015	18:27, Max Steele	22:20, Debbie Green	213
29 October 2016	18:59, Dan Butzin	21:48, Alice Smoot	157
28 October 2017	17:36, Justin Tracy	21:30, Elizabeth Smith	173
27 October 2018	16:57, Alec Munger	22:51, Alice Smoot	172
26 October 2019	17:36, Morgan Bolmer	22:56, Pollyanna Bass	108
31 October 2020	Virtual Race
2019	No Race
29 October 2022	18:08, Patrick Wallace	23:39, Martha Mazurkiewicz	106

Links

• Complete results of the 2022 Saint John School 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTfT_4NorlO4NSnBEnQdKLzs1yHrLlLdFkhmztrLFJpKbzC43SdTbQK-wHKeruSBSKoXdIn2yl6vmNM/pubhtml
  
  
• 2019 story, “Morgan Bolmer and Pollyanna Bass ring up wins at the Saint John Road Race”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2019/10/st-john-2019.html
  
  
• 2018 story, “Alec Munger and Alice Smoot headline the Saint John Road Race”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2018/10/st-john-2018.html
  
  
• 2015 story, “Steele and Green treat themselves on Hallowe'en at the St John Road Race”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2015/11/st-john-2015.html
  
  
• 2012 story, “Jesse Prince is the first to break 16:00 at the St. John 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/10/st-john-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, “Wallace takes a time out from trails to win St John 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/11/st-john-2011.html
  
  
• Saint John Road Race
  https://www.stjohnroadrace.org/
  
  
• Find an upcoming race to run in Valdosta or any other city within 100 miles of Tallahassee
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#2892

Easy wins for Buztin and Mazurkiewicz at Breathe Easy 5K

14 May 2016 was just seven days after Valdosta, Georgia athlete Dan Butzin finished second in the Julep Jog 5K in Hahira. It was also the Saturday morning that Butzin returned to competition on the Lowndes County roads, this time winning the second annual Breathe Easy 5K on the streets around Valdosta State University. Butzin covered the 3.1-mile course in 18:15. Valdosta master runner Martha Mazurkiewicz was the first woman in the race and second overall in 22:57.


Rodney Elam was the top male master runner in the Breathe Easy 5K, coming in third overall in 18:15. Master runner Justin Naylor was fourth overall in 23:30, and nine-year-old Jamil Williams was fifth in 25:01. Williams came back later in the morning and won the one-mile fun run in 7:35.


Cassie O'Neal took second in the women's standings, placing eighth overall in 27:12. Ashley Horton was the third female finisher, coming in twelfth overall in 29:40.


73 athletes finished the second annual Breathe Easy 5K, another nine completed the one-mile fun run. The Valdosta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta hosted the event, with proceeds benefiting asthma education efforts, the Georgia Department of Public Health South Health District Children’s Medical Services, and the Chapter's book scholarship program for area high school seniors.


Top Ten Men, 2016 VSU ΔΣΘ Breathe Easy 5K

1. 18:14:45 ~ Dan Butzin (M, 31)
2. 23:06:13 ~ Rodney Elam (M, 52)
3. 23:29:52 ~ Justin Naylor (M, 42)
4. 25:00:70 ~ Jamil Williams (M, 9)
5. 25:01:52 ~ Mizell Williams (M, 37)
6. 25:46:35 ~ Tony Wilkey (M, 17)
7. 27:43:20 ~ Devin Davis (M, 27)
8. 28:24:87 ~ Tim Wright (M, 25)
9. 29:32:85 ~ Greg Harris (M, 46)
10. 30:24:17 ~ Jason Barnes (M, 40)

Top Ten Women, 2016 VSU ΔΣΘ Breathe Easy 5K

1. 22:57:00 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 48)
2. 27:11:03 ~ Cassie O'Neal (F, 27)
3. 29:39:85 ~ Ashley Horton (F, 26)
4. 29:49:06 ~ Courtney Wilcox (F, 29)
5. 31:59:81 ~ Brandi Wadswath (F, 32)
6. 32:24:70 ~ Davina Lee (F, 43)
7. 33:19:63 ~ Carol Stajakovich (F, 55)
8. 33:20:31 ~ Sarah Fretti (F, 28)
9. 35:04:13 ~ Jessica Vaquerano (F, 20)
10. 35:20:77 ~ Ansley Haslain (F, 27)

Links

• Complete results of the 2016 Delta Sigma Theta Breathe Easy 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1344_IM0vgtMa1b3jIzbzRhotwnvL0GiPP6WFq0HWVsM/pubhtml
  
  
• Photos of the 2016 Breathe Easy 5K
  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.629892693829206.1073741877.128612380623909
  
  
• Catch your breath in one of these upcoming races on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1697

Kelly heads the herd at Elks 5K

Two weeks after racking up a record-setting win at the third annual Hospice Half Marathon, Valdosta Middle School cross-country coach was back on the roads, back racing, and back winning. This time it was a victory at the Valdosta Elks Lodge's Aidmore 5K on Saturday morning, 2 March 2013 at McKey Park in Valdosta, Georgia. Finishing about 250 meters ahead of runner-up Tyler Thurman, Coach Kelly won the inaugural event in 18:21. Thurman, a Lowndes High School distance runner, covered the 3.1-mile course in 19:23. Behind Thurman, Valdosta's Rick Mazurkiewicz was the third finisher overall and the fastest master finisher, running 20:38. Placing fifth overall in 23:08, Martha Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta was the first woman as well as the first woman master.


21 athletes finished the first year event hosted by Elks Lodge #728.


Results, 2013 Valdosta Elks Aidmore 5K

1. 18:21 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 34) Lake Park, GA
2. 19:23 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
3. 20:38 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 45) Valdosta, GA
4. 23:01 ~ Joshua Brewer (M, 14) Tifton, GA
5. 23:08 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
6. 23:47 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 13) Ray City, GA
7. 24:09 ~ Audrey Williams (F, 22) Valdosta, GA
8. 24:10 ~ Duane Baron (M, 13) Conyers, GA
9. 24:22 ~ Debbie Green (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
10. 26:36 ~ Bob Bowen (M, 70) Nashville, GA
11. 26:43 ~ Beth Ford (F, 44) Valdosta, GA
12. 29:04 ~ Norman Case (M, 37) Valdosta, GA
13. 29:04 ~ Caitlin Marqua (F, 23) Valdosta, GA
14. 31:09 ~ Ronnie Metts (M, 68) Hahira, GA
15. 31:13 ~ Brian Flaherty (M, 31) Nashville, GA
16. 32:20 ~ Amy Burton (F, 35) Valdosta, GA
17. 33:07 ~ Laroy Whitlock (M, 12) Quitman, GA
18. 33:19 ~ Laron Whitlock (M, 12) Quitman, GA
19. 33:29 ~ Brittney Wilkerson (F, 25) Valdosta, GA
20. 34:12 ~ Katie Thomas (F, 26) Valdosta, GA
21. 43:27 ~ Unknown Participant

Links

• Upcoming races in the region hosted by Elks, Moose, and Lions, as well as just plain human beings
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

In Valdosta, McLeod and Mazurkiewicz ring out the old year with new wins

With just two weeks left in 2012, runners in Valdosta, Georgia learned that they would have one more chance to race before the New Year--a 5K on a two-loop closed course around the grounds of Lowndes High School. So at 9:00 PM, just three hours before 2013, fifty athletes set out to get in another 3.1 miles of racing in 2012. Fitzgerald's Mark McLeod was the fastest; the alumnus of the South Georgia College cross-country team ran 17:58 to add one more win to his 2012 total. Valdosta Middle School cross-country coach Ryan Kelly took the runner-up spot in 18:11.  At 19:05, third place went to Tyler Thurman, a junior-year cross-country runner at Lowndes High School. Valdosta's David Burnett was fourth in 19:14, and Matthew Baun of St. John Catholic was fifth in 19:35. Baun recently finished fifth in the seventh annual Georgia Middle School State Cross-Country Championships. The fastest master in the field was Tom Phillips of Valdosta, sixth overall in 20:58. The first woman and top woman master was Martha Mazurkiewicz, 15th overall in 24:56.


Top Ten Males

1. 17:58 ~ Mark McLeod (M, 20) Fitzgerald, GA
2. 18:11 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 34) Lake Park, GA
3. 19:05 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
4. 19:14 ~ David Burnett (M, 36) Valdosta, GA
5. 19:35 ~ Matthew Baun (M, 13) Valdosta, GA
6. 20:58 ~ Tom Phillips (M, 49) Valdosta, GA
7. 21:36 ~ Randy Ory (M, 51) Atlanta, GA
8. 23:07 ~ Milo Mirate (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
9. 23:07 ~ Michael Baun (M, 56) Valdosta, GA
10. 23:36 ~ Rick Register (M, 49) Lake Park, GA

Top Ten Females

1. 24:56 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
2. 25:13 ~ Debbie Green (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
3. 26:26 ~ Angel Godwin (F, 39) Valdosta, GA
4. 26:30 ~ Mackenzie Rogers (F, 8) Valdosta, GA
5. 26:40 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 34) Lake Park, GA
6. 26:45 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 13) Ray City, GA
7. 26:49 ~ Brooke Meindl (F, 11) Valdosta, GA
8. 26:54 ~ Mandy Leviton (F, 37) Valdosta, GA
9. 30:51 ~ Tonya Davis (F, 31) Valdosta, GA
10. 30:56 ~ Galen Mirate (F, 57) Valdosta, GA

Links

• Complete results of Valdosta's 2012 New Year's Eve 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdHJQTV8xNHpCakhIbzdrMkxkVmk4d0E
  
  
• Tom Durham's photos of Valdosta's 2012 New Year's Eve 5K
  http://tdurham.zenfolio.com/p653599517
  
  
• The latest list of upcoming races in Valdosta and other cities in the Trouble Afoot! region
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1