Taking firm command of the race in the first kilometer, University of West Florida freshman Robert Abellera won the second annual Fallen Heroes 5K in 18:27, finishing over 200 meters ahead of runner-up Ronald Penn (19:20). Dr. Michael LaBossiere was the top master runner, placing eighth overall in 21:27. The first female finisher was Karima Anderson who ran 23:50 for 27th overall. K. Johnson (33rd, 24:47) was the second woman and the top woman master. The race was held in Maclay Gardens State Park on Saturday morning, 4 September 2010.
It was a new month and a new location for the race. Last year the North Florida chapter of Operation One Voice had held the event on the first Saturday of August in Tom Brown Park; in 2010 they moved it to the first Saturday of September in Maclay. Despite the move, around 140 runners found their way to the race and across the finish line. The change of dates didn't make for cool weather, but it wasn't quite as hot--the morning air almost promised that someday summer would come to an end.Abellera, an alumnus of the Florida State University School cross-country team, led the race almost from the outset, with early challenges by Stephen Robbins and Wil Luca (3rd, 19:37). Luca and Robbins were unable to maintain the pace set by Abellera and fell back. Ronald Penn, running more within himself, passed them mid-race and went on to take second.
Links:
- Complete results of the 2010 Fallen Heroes 5K at gulfwinds.org
http://www.gulfwinds.org/raceresults/2010/Fallen%20Heroes%202010.htm - Photos of the 2010 Fallen Heroes 5K
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2934612&l=2a71f7fafa&id=5215641 - 2009 Fallen Heroes Run
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2009/08/2009-fallen-heroes-run-tallahassee.html - Operation One Voice, North Florida Chapter
http://home.comcast.net/~oovtally/site/?/home/ - Find your next Tallahassee-area race here
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
Nice race summary, Herb. I had hoped to volunteer at this race but then realized my son was playing his first Pop Warner game ever at the exact same time! This race supports such a great cause; I am glad that it went so well.
ReplyDeleteMaclay Gardens works well for an event of this size, but it can't handle many more runners and their vehicles. If the Fallen Heroes 5K grows, it may have to move again.
ReplyDeleteHerb.