Davison, Merritt battle to Rebel Run 5K victories in Marianna

[ From a report by Mark McCarra. Thanks, Mark! ]


Mississippi has Vicksburg, Atlanta has Sherman's March, and northern Virginia is carpeted with Civil War battlefields, but Florida was never a major theater of war in the Rebellion of 1861-1865. Loyal Floridians thus embrace what Civil War history we have. Lake City celebrates the Battle of Olustee, and Tallahassee the Battle of Natural Bridge. And the Panhandle treasures its memories of the Battle of Marianna. Marianna, Florida marked the 147th anniversary of the 27 September 1864 battle with the Marianna Day festival, which included re-enactments, a parade, and educational exhibits. And for the first time, this year's Marianna Days included a 5K "Rebel Run" road race on Saturday, 24 September 2011. The inaugural Rebel Run 5K title went to Marianna firefighter Davin Davison in 20:40, just ahead of runner-up and top master Mark McCarra in 20:47. The women's race was not nearly as close, with Ashley Merritt running 26:03 and finishing nearly 700 meters ahead of the next woman. Lori Kibler was the fastest female master in the race, posting 36:05 for the 3.1-mile distance.


Davison shared the lead with Buddy Baxter for the first kilometer, but the second kilometer was all Davison's, and he passed the mile mark alone in 5:53, 25 seconds up on the field. During the third kilometer Davison continued to lead, but Mark McCarra had moved into second and was starting to close the gap, moving to within 18 seconds of Davison at the halfway point. McCarra continued to gain on Davison, but never quite caught the firefighter, who held on to win 20:40 to 20:47.


The 2011 Rebel Run 5K started and finished at the Marianna Citizen's Lodge and included a tour through the hilly campus of Chipola College. The 25 runners were serenaded at the finish by Civil War period fife music performed by a reenactor.


Links:

• Marianna Days Reenactments
  http://www.mariannareenactment.info/
  
  
• Upcoming races in the area, historical and otherwise, at Trouble Afoot!
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1