"This would have been a good day to go to the beach," remarked Kevin Sweeny after the race. It was indeed a hot sunny afternoon in Bainbridge, Georgia.Unfortunately for his competitors, Sweeny spent the afternoon on the roads instead of on the beach, posting an 18:02 to win Bainbridge's fourth annual A. R. Inspirational 5K. Bainbridge High distance runner Davey Reynolds finished runner-up behind Sweeny in 18:34. Beth Sutkowy was the fastest woman in the race, placing third overall in 21:09.
Kevin Sweeny's win was his second in a row at the race; he also won the 2008 A. R. Inspirational 5K. Women's champ Beth Sutkowy was also a repeat winner, successfully defending her 2010 title. "This was the first race she ever won," explained Sweeny. Sweeny and Sutkowy are fiances, having gotten engaged at the 2010 Palace Saloon 5K; Sutkowy opened her competitive career at one of the annual Palace races.
Run on the flat streets around Bainbridge Middle School on the east side of town, the A. R. Inspirational 5K is a benefit for Courtney Regan. Mandi O'Mara, a cross-country coach and science teacher at Bainbridge High School, has directed the race for four years, but the 2011 A. R. Inspirational 5K was her valedictory race; Coach O'Mara is moving down the road to Dothan, Alabama.
Results, 2011 A. R. Inspirational 5K
- 18:02 Kevin Sweeny (M, 41)
- 18:34 Davey Reynolds (M, 16)
21:09 Beth Sutkowy (F, 27)- 22:04 Ty Smith (M, 19)
- 22:21 Gary Cato (M, 55)
- 23:33 Mitchell Massengill (M, 16)
- 23:35 Ronnie Godwin (M, 47)
- 25:24 Amber Braswell (F, 16)
- 28:49 Tim Fowler (M, 18)
- 35:05 Jeff Herbert (M, 45)
- 45:56 Kendra Herbert (F, 34)
- 52:05 Austin McElhaney (M, 12)
- 52:05 Kim McElhaney (F, 40)
| A. R. Inspirational 5K Champions, 2008-2011 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Men | Women |
| 21 March 2008 | 16:54 Kevin Sweeny | 20:32 Shana Martin |
| 27 April 2009 | 18:14 Kyle Harris | |
| 21 March 2010 | 17:07 Kevin Sweeny | 21:15 Beth Sutkowy |
| 1 May 2011 | 18:02 Kevin Sweeny | 21:09 Beth Sutkowy |
Links:
- A few more photos of the 2011 A. R. Inspirational 5K
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10100729270597723.3135865.5215641&l=05f2a942f5 - Lots of upcoming races in Bainbridge and elsewhere in the Tallahassee region
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
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