Former Marianna High (c/o 1999) cross-country great Cedric Gillette took advantage of some real cross-country season cool weather to romp to a 20:13 victory in the Trailblazer 5K on Saturday morning, 1 October 2011. The 3.1-mile race started and finished at the Washington-Holmes Technical Center on the west side of Chipley, Florida. Well behind Gillette was the runner-up and fastest master of the morning, Marianna's Mark McCarra. The first woman as well as the first woman master was Val Lichner of Graceville, Florida, who edged out Ashley Merritt for the top spot, 25:25 to 25:29.Gillette took the early lead, with Tyler Williams leading the pursuit. Gillette, though, was in no danger of being caught, and was already 20 seconds ahead after the first kilometer. Williams faded, giving up the second spot to McCarra. Gillette cruised on to win in 20:13, with McCarra following him across the line in 20:50. Williams hung on to finish third while master runner Jimmy Sims took fourth in 22:56. In the women's race, Lichner set the early pace with Merritt not far behind. By halfway through the race Lichner and Merritt had left the rest of the women's field behind, making it a two-woman race. The margin waxed and waned, but while Lichner never broke contact, Merritt never challenged for the lead. Lichner crossed the finish line just four seconds ahead; close, but good enough for the title.
About 25 runners completed the race, which was run on the same 3.1-mile course used for Chipley's Hot Trot 5K. However, the cool October morning was a startling contrast to the sweltering June Hot Trot--the courses may have been the same, but the two races were entirely different. Chipley boy scout Jay Padgett organized the Trailblazers 5K as his Eagle Scout project--similar to Trey's Eagle Trot 5K last year in Bainbridge.
Links:
- The Trailblazers 5K was listed on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
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