Thursday, November 29, 2012

Koon and Liles precede work with a win

Bryan KoonFlorida's Director of Emergency Management, Bryan Koon, ran past his offices on Shumard Oak Boulevard Thursday morning, 29 November 2012, then continued running onto Esplanade Way and across the finish line of the FSECC 5K. Koon had just won the 12th annual 3.1-mile race in 17:06. Of course, there was still a full day of work ahead.


"The good thing is, my office is right over there," said Koon.


Koon was one of over 200 athletes participating in the Florida State Employees Charitable Campaign 5K. As you might guess from the name, many of them were state workers. For instance, the top woman finisher in the race, Stephanie Liles-Weyant, is from the Department of Health. Liles-Weyant finished 11th overall in 20:47 to claim her second straight FSECC 5K title.


Matt DobsonThe runners lined up for the start on Esplanade Way at 8:30 AM. Before the first turn, 2010 FSECC champion Matt Dobson was leading the race. Dobson continued to set the pace going up the hill on Merchants Way, reaching the Southwood Town Center about 40 meters ahead of the next athlete, master runner Bryan Koon. Peter Kaus was another 50 meters back in third. Midway through the race in Southwood's Central Park, Dobson had widened the gap to 60 meters. But Koon would write a different story for the second half of the race. He began to close on Dobson, catching him just past three kilometers. "After that," said Koon, "I just ran for my life." Koon did more than that, defeating Dobson by over 100 meters, 17:06 to 17:30. Kaus held on to third with a 17:51. Michael Martinez finished fourth in 18:20.


Stephanie LilesIn the women's competition, master runner Stephanie Liles-Weyant, the defending champion, took the lead early, running ahead of Brook Pace. Pace had won the race in 2008 and 2010, but 2012 belonged to Tallahassee triathlete Liles-Weyant, who was never challenged on her way to a 20:47 win. Pace was the second female finisher, placing 14th overall in 21:30. Crawfordville's Melissa Hooke was the third woman across the line, 17th overall in 22:26. The fourth woman in and the second woman master runner was Julie Clark (21st, 22:53).


It wasn't the 6,000 participants that had thronged the streets of Southwood seven days earlier at the Turkey Trot, but there were still 261 athletes who ran or walked the FSECC 5K. State workers in the race were able to designate their entry fee as benefiting the charity of their choice through the Florida State Employees Charitable Campaign.


Top Ten Males, 2012 FSECC 5K
  1. Peter Kaus17:06 ~ Bryan Koon (M, 40) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 17:30 ~ Matt Dobson (M, 43)
  3. 17:51 ~ Peter Kaus (M, 28)
  4. 18:20 ~ Michael Martinez (M, 46)
  5. 19:17 ~ Dan Anderson (M, 49)
  6. 19:26 ~ Paul Pagano (M, 43)
  7. 19:50 ~ Reikan Lin (M, 22)
  8. 19:58 ~ David Cox (M, 54)
  9. 20:19 ~ Mike Weyant (M, 47)
  10. 20:34 ~ Tim Unger (M, 53)

Top Ten Females, 2012 FSECC 5K
  1. Brook Pace20:47 ~ Stephanie Liles (F, 40) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 21:30 ~ Brook Pace (F, 33)
  3. 22:26 ~ Melissa Hooke (F, 34)
  4. 22:53 ~ Julie Clark (F, 51)
  5. 23:01 ~ Connie Mayo (F, 46)
  6. 23:26 ~ Martha Bademan (F, 28)
  7. 23:37 ~ Maria Merrill (F, 31)
  8. 24:20 ~ Alexandra Mosca (F,29)
  9. 24:50 ~ Krystle Cacci (F, 28)
  10. 26:00 ~ Lynn Marnie (F, 51)

Recent champions of the FSECC 5K, 2008-2012
DateMenWomen
29 NOV 201217:06, Bryan Koon20:47, Stephanie Liles
10 NOV 201116:46, Gary Droze19:50, Stephanie Liles
4 NOV 201016:38, Matt Dobson22:12, Brook Pace
5 NOV 200917:56, Kevin Sweeney21:06, Kelly Stevens
20 NOV 200818:15, Tim Unger21:31, Brook Pace


Links
#1019

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Lake and Rosen take titles as 6,000 runners take in Turkey Trot

On Thanksgiving morning Chris Lake took time out from his studies at the University of Florida School of Medicine to outrace a field of 437 runners in Gulf Winds Track Club's 37th annual Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K. It was Lake's fifth year in a row winning the 9.3-mile race through the streets of Southwood as well as his fastest Turkey Trot time yet, 49:53. No other athlete has cracked 50 minutes on the Southwood course; the last sub-50 Turkey Trot was Jessie Close's 49:12 in 1995, when the race was run from the Fairgrounds. While Lake collected his fifth Turkey Trot 15K title, Tallahassee lawyer Sheryl Rosen was grabbing her fourth. Rosen, who had won the women's division in the 15K each year from 2006 to 2008, returned to the winner's circle with a 57:27, finishing eighth overall.


Asked to describe the conditions at the start of the Thursday morning race, most runners answered, "Perfect!" It was clear, calm, and cool, optimal for distance running. Lake trailed initially; at the mile mark he was six seconds behind Caleb Carmichael, an assistant cross-country coach at the University of West Florida. Lake pulled even, and at the halfway point he and Carmichael were running side by side, far ahead of the rest of the field. With just over three miles to go, Lake made a move, something he had been practicing. "I've been trying to work on picking up the pace the last few miles in races," he explained. It was effective. Lake broke away from Carmichael and went on to win by nearly 300 yards, 49:53 to 50:47. The rest of the field was way behind; third-place runner Roger Schmidt was almost three-quarters of a mile farther back in 55:01. Maclay School coach Gary Droze was the fastest master runner in the field, finishing fourth overall in 55:34.


Sheryl Rosen led the women's field from wire-to-wire, but that's what you would expect of a runner who finished a 9.3-mile race with a 1.3-mile lead. That's how far Rosen was ahead of the women's runner up, 2010 Turkey Trot 15K champion Allison Eagen. Eagen ended the race 34th overall in 66:44. At 67:15 Karen Geletko was the third woman finisher. Jane Johnson ran 67:19 to finish as the first woman master for what may have been the 11th time--it's hard to keep track, especially when three of those top master finishes were among the four years that Johnson won the women's division outright.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2012 Turkey Trot 15K
  1. 49:53 ~ Chris Lake (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 50:47 ~ Caleb Carmichael (M, 28) Pensacola, FL
  3. 55:01 ~ Roger Schmidt (M, 21) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 55:34 ~ Gary Droze (M, 51) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 55:50 ~ Jack McDermott (M, 43) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 56:07 ~ Jacob Brewer (M, 29) Bellevue, WA
  7. 57:06 ~ Raul Portillo (M, 32) Englewood, CO
  8. 57:40 ~ Drew Farrington (M, 25) Lansing, MI
  9. 58:02 ~ John Robida (M, 32) Tampa, FL
  10. 58:53 ~ Jake Mazziotta (M, 14) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2012 Turkey Trot 15K
  1. 57:27 ~ Sheryl Rosen (F, 28) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 1:06:44 ~ Allison Eagen (F, 33) Tallahassee, FL
  3. 1:07:15 ~ Karen Geletko (F, 33) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 1:07:17 ~ Jane Johnson (F, 53) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 1:07:44 ~ Brittney Barnes (F, 24) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 1:08:22 ~ Kate Gates (F, 27) Gainesville, FL
  7. 1:08:24 ~ Mary Masterton (F, 26) Orlando, FL
  8. 1:08:24 ~ Ashley Daily (F, 25) Tallahassee, FL
  9. 1:09:42 ~ Jill Haglund (F, 27) Tallahassee, FL
  10. 1:09:55 ~ Dana Black (F, 47) Port St. Joe, FL

The Tallahassee Turkey Trot doesn't include quite as many different races as a track meet, although sometimes it seems that way. A 10K and a 5K shared the 8:30 am start of the 15K, and over 900 folks started a one-mile fun run at 8:00 am. Close to 5,000 started in the three longer races. Crawfordville's Stanley Linton won the 10K with a 33:15, finishing over a quarter mile ahead of runner-up Nate Kaiser's 35:05. Stefanie Slekis was the first woman and third finisher overall, running 36:05.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2012 Turkey Trot 10K
  1. 33:15 ~ Stanley Linton (M, 18) Crawfordville, FL
  2. 35:05 ~ Nate Kaiser (M, 33) Tallahassee, FL
  3. 36:05 ~ Tony Guillen (M, 43) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 36:13 ~ Jay Wallace (M, 48) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 37:26 ~ Bryce Van Dam (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 37:41 ~ Sean Hudson (M, 42) Tallahassee, FL
  7. 37:46 ~ Don Autore (M, 37) Tallahassee, FL
  8. 37:51 ~ Geb Kiros (M, 46) Tallahassee, FL
  9. 37:58 ~ Andrew Smyth (M, 26) Tallahassee, FL
  10. 38:17 ~ Robert Abellera (M, 20) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2012 Turkey Trot 10K
  1. 36:05 ~ Stefanie Slekis (F, 24) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 39:22 ~ Katie Showman (F, 31) Tallahassee, FL
  3. 39:38 ~ Micah Adriani (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 41:46 ~ Adriana Piekarewicz (F, 24) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 41:52 ~ Elisha Boggs (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 42:33 ~ Kristine Cox (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
  7. 43:49 ~ Angela Wable (F, 39) Tallahassee, FL
  8. 43:49 ~ Cora Atkinson (F, 18) Crawfordville, FL
  9. 44:35 ~ Alana Taylor (F, 24) Tallahassee, FL
  10. 45:37 ~ Tiffany Roddenberry (F, 28) Tallahassee, FL

Former McNeese State University distance runner Ryan Barrow won the 5K race in 16:02, comfortably ahead of runner-up Kevin Hicks' 16:17. Florida State's All-American distance runner Violah Lagat won the women's division with a third overall 16:26. Only five days before the Turkey Trot, Lagat had placed eleventh in the NCAA Women's Cross-Country Championships.


Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2012 Turkey Trot 5K
  1. 16:02 ~ Ryan Barrow (M, 24) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 16:17 ~ Kevin Hicks (M, 28) Tallahassee, FL
  3. 16:38 ~ Chase Harris (M, 15) Bainbridge, GA
  4. 16:52 ~ Taylor Buzzard (M, 18) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 16:59 ~ Alex Smyth (M, 24) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 17:28 ~ Sean Mendes (M, 20) Tallahassee, FL
  7. 17:45 ~ Connor Q Hollander (M, 18) Tallahassee, FL
  8. 18:12 ~ Calvin Vannoy (M, 22) Tallahassee, FL
  9. 18:27 ~ Carl Strickland (M, 16) Greenville, SC
  10. 18:29 ~ Jasen Fulghum (M, 29) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2012 Turkey Trot 5K
  1. 16:26 ~ Violah Lagat (F, 23) Tallahassee, FL
  2. 18:20 ~ Lily Williams (F, 18) Tallahassee, FL
  3. 18:38 ~ Jodie McGuff (F, 19) Tallahassee, FL
  4. 19:11 ~ Sarah Docter-Williams (F, 48) Tallahassee, FL
  5. 25:44 ~ Bella Dennis (F, 5) Tallahassee, FL
  6. 25:46 ~ Meg Willowby (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
  7. 25:45 ~ Paige Willowby (F, 7) Tallahassee, FL
  8. 26:03 ~ Teresea Dennis (F, 36) Tallahassee, FL
  9. 19:56 ~ Kelley Bahn (F, 20) Tallahassee, FL
  10. 20:12 ~ Michaela Ashley (F, 14) Panama City Beach, FL

The sheer number of runners was unprecedented for Tallahassee, with almost 6,000 trying to crowd into Southwood. If you’re planning on running next year, make a note to arrive early. And if you’re planning on competing with the likes of Chris Lake next year, make a note to start training now.


Links

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Molosky, Mann triumph over the Draggin' in Smaug-free Sunny Hills

Tallahassee's Vince Molosky extended his Draggin' Tail 18-mile challenge winning streak to four races at the 18th annual edition of that event on Saturday morning, 17 November 2012. Molosky covered the course through the streets of Sunny Hills, Florida in 1:47:47, finishing the 18 miles before any other runner in the race had gone even 16 miles. It was the fastest of the four Draggin' Tail wins that Molosky had collected from 2009 to 2012. Gabriel Garza was the next runner across the finish line, putting up a 2:01:46 for the rolling 18 miles. Sean Smith took third in 2:19:20. Tallahassee's Chuck Davis was the fastest master runner in the race, finishing fourth in 2:21:04. The next master runner in was Tallahassee's Mike Burns, fifth in 2:25:46.


Panama City Beach distance runner Amy Mann's 2:27:38 wasn't quite as fast as the 2:27:01 that she ran at the 2008 Draggin' Tail, but in 2012 it was good enough for sixth place overall and first female honors. Mann finished the race a comfortable 250 meters ahead of the women's runner up, Debbie Wittmer, who was eight overall in 2:28:58. Wittmer was the first master woman in the 2012 Draggin' Tail.


The number of participants at the Draggin' Tail was slightly down from the previous year, which was already lightly attended. With only 35 finishers in the 18-mile challenge, plus six 3 x 6-mile relay teams and 17 finishers in the 5K, the Draggin' Tail seems on the verge of becoming as extinct as the dragons that grace the race trophies and T-shirts. Athletes who love this event should start training for the 19th annual race (23 November 2013) and plan on bringing a friend or two.


Top Ten Men, 18th annual Draggin' Tail 18-Mile Challenge
    Vince Molosky
  1. 1:47:47 ~ Vince Molosky
  2. 2:01:46 ~ Gabriel Garza
  3. 2:19:20 ~ Sean Smith
  4. 2:21:04 ~ Chuck Davis
  5. 2:25:46 ~ Mike Burns
  6. 2:28:21 ~ Ronald Dempsey
  7. 2:31:57 ~ Shelton Ansley
  8. 2:39:43 ~ Steven Key
  9. 2:39:46 ~ Mike Dueitt
  10. 2:42:57 ~ Joshua Noel

Top Ten Women, 18th annual Draggin' Tail 18-Mile Challenge
    Amy Mann
  1. 2:27:38 ~ Amy Mann
  2. 2:28:58 ~ Debbie Wittmer
  3. 2:49:48 ~ Birgit Maier-Katkin
  4. 2:49:49 ~ Sandra Canada
  5. 2:54:42 ~ Amy Richardson
  6. 2:54:55 ~ Lisa Klekowski
  7. 3:04:23 ~ Jana Davis
  8. 3:09:51 ~ Kim Nusbaum
  9. 3:13:19 ~ Maria Matheu
  10. 3:19:24 ~ Denise Carter

3 x 6-Mile Relay Teams
  1. 2:21:12 ~ The Civil Engineers (male)
  2. 2:22:06 ~ Hammer Down (female)
  3. 2:25:45 ~ Cougar & Bait (two person)
  4. 2:44:07 ~ Three’s Company (mixed)
  5. 2:46:15 ~ 2 Dudes & a Chick (mixed)
  6. 3:12:11 ~ Team: AOC (mixed)

Recent Draggin' Tail Challenge winners, 2000-2012
DateMenWomen
17 NOV 20121:47:47, Vince Molosky2:27:38, Amy Mann
19 NOV 20111:48:35, Vince Molosky2:25:55, Michelle Patterson
18 NOV 20101:52:43, Vince Molosky2:06:10, Hadley Nyquist
21 NOV 20091:51:31, Vince Molosky2:07:43, Hadley Nyquist
22 NOV 20081:55:32, Jack McDermott2:20:45, Dana Black
17 NOV 20072:00:32, Michael Martinez2:21:27, Dana Black
18 NOV 20061:55:39, Jack McDermott2:23:50, Melinda Fountain
19 NOV 20051:55:19, Jack McDermott2:18:19, Lisa Purul
20 NOV 20041:59:57, Nathan Tarver2:31:57, Gloria Ramirez
22 NOV 20031:50:25, Mike Lilly2:20:08, Julie Clark
23 NOV 20021:46:42, Jessie Blanton1:57:44, Valerie Connaghton
17 NOV 20011:56:34, Rick Melendez2:30:11, Cheryl Lanke
18 NOV 20001:57:43, Alan Swigler2:14:38, Laurel Slyck



21 NOV 19981:49:22, Terry Williams2:23:48, Janet Register
1997Brian Corbin



25 NOV 1995

If anyone has the missing winners from 1995 to 1999, I would 
really,really like to include those names and times here! ~ HW


Links:

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Running' Turtles of Maryland say farwell to the ACC

Maryland goes to Big TenThe big college sports story today is that the University of Maryland is leaving the Atlantic Coast Conference to join the Big Ten. This isn't really sports, but it gives ACC beat writers a chance to poke fun at Maryland, and ask which 10 of the Big Ten's 14 member institutions are actually big. After that, there will be the usual speculation about how this will affect conference play in basketball and football, and far flung fantasies about which schools might take Maryland's place.


Historically, it's sad to see the Terrapins leave the ACC. Maryland was not only one of the founding members of the conference in 1953, but it had also been associated with the other founding members of the ACC since 1921 as a member of the Southern Conference. Athletically, though, not so much. Let's look at how Maryland has been doing recently in the Sports That Matter:



2012 ACC Indoor Track & Field Championships, 23-25 February 2012
Maryland men placed 9th out of 12 teams
Maryland women placed 8th out of 12 teams

2012 ACC Outdoor Track & Field Championships, 19-21 April 2012
Maryland men placed 8th out of 12 teams
Maryland women placed 9th out of 12 teams

2012 ACC Cross-Country Championships, 27 October 2012
Maryland men did not field a team
Maryland women place 11th out of 12 teams



It doesn't look like anyone would notice that the Terrapins had left. Things weren't always that way, though. From 1954 to 1980, Maryland won the ACC men's indoor title 26 times. From 1954 to 1981, the Terrapins took home 26 ACC men's outdoor titles. It would be easier to count the few years that Maryland didn't win. Maryland was less dominating in cross country during this period, but the Terrapins still grabbed 11 conference titles in men's cross-country from 1954 to 1976. Certainly, the Maryland men had their glory days in track and cross country--glory days that included the NCAA career of the great UMd alumnus, Renaldo Nehemiah. Unfortunately, those days seem to have ended three decades ago.


Three decades ago is about when women's athletics was being begrudgingly recognized by the dinosaurs who ran college sports. The first ACC women's cross-country championship was held in 1978, and the Terrapins placed second behind. They never finished that high again. The conference added an outdoor track -and-field championship for the women in 1983. Once again, Maryland was second at the inaugural meet, and could only dream of placing runner-up after that. The ACC championship for women's indoor track and field was first held in 1987. The best performance by the Lady Terps has been third, where they placed three times, but not during the 21st century.


So it's not that the University of Maryland has never been a factor in ACC track and cross country, it's that they haven't been a powerhouse for a long, long time. Most of the athletes who built that tradition are old enough to be collecting Social Security. As far as the running sports are concerned, the Terrapins aren't likely to any happier in the Big Ten, either. Yes, Jesse Owens left Ohio State a long time ago, but the Big Ten has maintained their track-and-cross-country traditions since then. Right here in Tallahassee, you can ask FAMU track coach Wayne Angel (Illinois, c/o 1982), FSU track coach Karen Harvey (Michigan, c/o 1996), or Capital City Runners proprietor and three-time Olympian Kevin Sullivan (Michigan, c/o 1998) about the level of competition in the Big Ten. They know.


Starting with the 2014-2015 seasons, Maryland's lane will be open in events at the ACC championships. There is a chance, though, that the lane would have been open anyway. Maryland has already dumped its men's cross-country program, and the men's track-and-field program is scrambling to raise money to fund its survival. As usual, budget concerns and Title IX are the reasons cited for men's track-and-field being on the chopping block. Like most schools, though, there's only one sport that you could cut at Maryland to balance the budget and achieve Title IX compliance. It's not track, and it's not cross country. But it does share a season with cross country.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

State Championship Titles of Tallahassee & Leon County High School Cross-Country Teams, 1947-2012

Following the 2009 season I first put together a list of cross-country titles won by Leon County schools since the beginning of time. Well, since 1947, which is when Florida first began holding state championships in high school cross country. Which seems late to be coming to the table, but the NCAA national championship in cross country only goes back to 1938. So now the question becomes not what's wrong with this state, but what's wrong with this country?


Rachel GivensIt seems appropriate that this list would need to be updated after 2012, the first year that Tallahassee hosted the FHSAA state cross-country championships. It wasn't Tallahassee's finest year at the state cross-country meet, but the schools in the area did represent. In the class 1A boys' race, the Tallahassee Maclay boys took home second-place hardware, scoring runner-up behind Holy Trinity. Griffith Rutherford of Tallahassee North Florida Christian (4th, 16:06.05) took home an All-State medal, as did Tallahassee Maclay's Travis Covert (8th, 16:18.45). In the class 2A girls' race, Tallahassee Maclay placed tenth, with Maclay's Kristin Sweeney (7th, 19:01.69) earning All-State decorations. Two Leon County teams cracked the top ten in class 3A, with Tallahassee Leon placing sixth with 199 points and Bradfordville Chiles taking seventh with 213. Tallahassee's fastest individual in that race was Leon sophomore Sukhi Khosla (13th, 15:58.60). The Chiles girls placed third in their class 3A race. The performance that requires this list to be revised also came from that race. Chiles senior Rachel Givens won the 2012 FHSAA-3A girls' cross-country title, running 17:48.78. Givens joins Carly Thomas as one of two Chiles girls to win the state meet. No school in Leon County has had more than two girls cross-country champions. Most schools are waiting for their first.


Congratulations to everyone. And for the returning runners--when you're putting in base mileage in July, and the weather just isn't cooperating, remember that the State Meet in November isn't that far away. And it's in our house.



CHILES HIGH SCHOOLTimberwolves

Team Titles

Boys:
FHSAA 3A State Champions, 2003
FHSAA 3A State Champions, 2005
FHSAA 3A State Champions, 2006

Girls:
FHSAA 3A State Champions, 2008
FHSAA 3A State Champions, 2009
FHSAA 3A State Champions, 2010


Individual Titles

Boys:
2003, Alex Miletich, 3A State Champion

Girls:
2009, Carly Thomas, 3A State Champion
2012, Rachel Givens, 3A State Champion



GODBY HIGH SCHOOL

Individual Titles

Boys:
2007, Joe Franklin, 2A State Champion




LEON HIGH SCHOOL

Team Titles

Boys:
FHSAA 2A State Champions 1969
FHSAA 3A State Champions 2007
FHSAA 3A State Champions 2008
FHSAA 3A State Champions 2009

Girls:
FHSAA 3A State Champions 1977
FHSAA 3A State Champions 1978
FHSAA 3A State Champions 1986
FHSAA 3A State Champions 1987
FHSAA 3A State Champions 1988


Individual Titles:

Boys:
1976 Herb Wills, 4A State Champion
1986 Doug Dickinson, 3A State Champion
1988 Ray Carter, 3A State Champion
1989 Ray Carter, 3A State Champion
2007 Matt Mizereck, 3A State Champion
2008 Matt Mizereck, 3A State Champion
2009 Matt Mizereck, 3A State Champion

Girls:
1979 Rosemary Desloge, 3A State Champion
1988 Jessica Scafidi, 3A State Champion
1989 Jessica Scafidi, 3A State Champion
1990 Jessica Scafidi, 3A State Champion



LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL

Individual Titles

Girls:
1991 Kathy Ward, 4A State Champion
1992 Kathy Ward, 4A State Champion




MACLAY SCHOOL

Team Titles

Boys:
FHSAA 2A State Champions, 1998
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 1999
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 2000
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 2001
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 2002


Girls:
FHSAA 2A State Champions, 1997
FHSAA 2A State Champions, 1998
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 1999
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 2001
FHSAA 1A State Champions, 2005


Individual Titles

Boys:
2002, Ryan Deak, 1A State Champion
2008, Patrick Swain, 1A State Champion
2009, Patrick Swain, 1A State Champion



NORTH FLORIDA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Individual Titles

Boys:
1989, Robert Boyd, 1A State Champion

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Tony Guillen cracks course record in pursuit of sausage dogs

Tony GuillenTallahassee master runner Tony Guillen turned a course-record 17:55 to win the fourth annual Bradley's Country Store Family Fun Days 5K on Saturday morning, 17 November 2012. Guillen finished with a lead of nearly 300 meters, but runner-up and 2010 Bradley's 5K champ Cole Tessier didn't enjoy such a comfortable margin. Tessier had to outkick master runner Geb Kiros for second place, 18:17 to 18:19.


Rachel RumanaRachel Rumana, a cross-country runner on the Holy Comforter Episcopal School team, was the first female in the 3.1-mile race, placing 14th overall in 24:11. 120 meters behind Rumana, Sondra Lee took 17th in 24:37, finishing as the second female and first female master.


The race had 55 recorded finishers, all running the out-and-back course on Old Centerville Road with visions of Bradley's sausage dogs jogging in their heads. The Marzuq Shrine produced the event, a sort of sister race to their annual Mother's Day 5K in the spring. Unlike most road races, there is no T-shirt for finisher's or registrants at Marzuq's fall 5K, but each finisher gets a Bradley's sausage dog--which, conveniently enough, only come in one delicious size.


Cole Tessier and Geb KirosTop Ten Men, 2012 Bradley's Family Fun Day 5K
  1. 17:55 ~ Tony Guillen (M, 43)
  2. 18:17 ~ Cole Tessier (M, 29)
  3. 18:19 ~ Geb Kiros (M, 46)
  4. 19:11 ~ Duane Evans (M, 45)
  5. 20:01 ~ Alan Pearson (M, 15)
  6. 20:26 ~ Jaryd Walton (M, 16)
  7. 21:49 ~ Greg Kitchens (M, 30)
  8. 22:10 ~ Kyle Shaw (M, 31)
  9. 22:26 ~ Hank Jackson (M, 51)
  10. 23:05 ~ Mike Shank (M, 44)

Sondra LeeTop Ten Women, 2012 Bradley's Family Fun Day 5K
  1. 24:11 ~ Rachel Rumana (F, 13)
  2. 24:47 ~ Sondra Lee (F, 44)
  3. 26:07 ~ Sheila Evans (F, 24)
  4. 26:29 ~ Jamila Allen (F, 23)
  5. 26:44 ~ Allyse Franklin (F, 20)
  6. 26:52 ~ Cindy Goodson (F, 49)
  7. 29:07 ~ Rachel Shank (F, 14)
  8. 31:37 ~ Hayley Folmar (F, 26)
  9. 32:04 ~ Ella Shuwar Parisi (F, 51)
  10. 33:07 ~ Bev De Mello (F, 54)


Bradley's Country Fun Days 5K winners, 2009-2012
DateMenWomen
21 NOV 200919:51, Garth Gumme26:04, Sarrah Troncoso
20 NOV 201019:07, Cole Tessier19:15, Stephanie Liles-Weyant
19 NOV 201118:00, Joel Piotrowski23:27, Grace Jackson
17 NOV 201217:55, Tony Guillen24:11, Rachel Rumana


Links

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

James Taylor and Kelly Brennan cruise at Allen Beal 5K

James Taylor"I haven't been able to race much lately," said James Taylor. "I've had drill on the weekends."


The master runner from Perry, Florida didn't need to worry about being rusty, though. At Tallahassee's second annual Allen Beal Memorial 5K on Veterans Day, 12 November 2012, Taylor finished at the front of a field of 115 athletes, recording a 19:12 on a 3.1-mile course through the hills of Myers Park and the downtown area. About 80 meters behind Taylor, Peter Falcone placed second in 19:31, while Chuck Lang and Charlie Lang were third and fourth respectively in 19:43 and 19:56. Kelly Brennan was the fastest woman finisher, placing seventh overall in 21:34. Top woman master honors went to Paula O'Neill, the fifth woman finisher and 23rd runner overall in 24:15.


2012 Allen Beal Memorial 5KThe race started on South Gadsden Street at East College Avenue, from where the runners quickly descended to Franklin Boulevard--one of the lowest points in town if flooding is any indication. After that, the race climbed into the Myers Park neighborhood, making it all the way up to the Old Fort, built on high ground during a fit of Civil War anxiety. Heading up Lafayette Street, less than 800 meters into the race, James Taylor found himself in the lead.


Peter Falcone"I was wondering where all the runners were," Taylor said after the race.


114 runners were behind him, with the closest, Peter Falcone, already 40 meters back. Taylor maintained that margin over Falcone through the streets of Myers Park, then widened the gap on the climb to the finish line on Gadsden Street at Park Avenue.


Kelly Brennan and Lindsey PfauThere was more of a battle for the women's title. Kelly Brennan and Lindsey Pfau turned off of Lafayette into the Myers Park area racing side by side, leaving the rest of the women's field well behind. Neither could gain an advantage over the other, though, until the four-kilometer mark, just before leaving Myers Park, where Brennan opened a gap. From there, Brennan raced home, building up a lead of more than 100 meters and defeating Pfau 21:34 to 22:06. Shannon Colavecchio moved up through the field to take the third woman's spot in 23:36.  At 24:05, Swift Creek Middle School cross-country runner Arianna Neely was the fourth female finisher. In a duel of master runners, Paula O'Neill outran Fran McLean 24:15 to 24:46 for the fifth female position.

Shannon Colavecchio
Part of Tallahassee's VetFest, the annual race was first held in 2011 as the Tallahassee Veterans Day 5K. It was renamed this year in honor of the late Allen Beal, retired United States Army first sergeant and VetFest's first parade Grand Marshall in 2010. The race course also changed slightly from the first year, but no one reported that there were any fewer hills. Whatever changes are in store for the third year of the race, you can count on the date of the event--Veterans Day 2013.


Top Ten Men, 2012 Allen Beal Memorial 5K
  1. Chuck Lang19:12 ~ James Taylor (M, 48)
  2. 19:31 ~ Peter Falcone (M, 20)
  3. 19:43 ~ Chuck Lang (M, 47)
  4. 19:56 ~ Charlie Lang (M, 14)
  5. 20:03 ~ Stephen Veliz, II (M, 13)
  6. 20:26 ~ David Cox (M, 54)
  7. 21:46 ~ Kevin Powells (M, 47)
  8. 21:51 ~ Franz Roeder (M, 13)
  9. 21:58 ~ Sam Littlefield (M, 36)
  10. 22:03 ~ Ryan Hovatter (M, 30)

Top Ten Women, 2012 Allen Beal Memorial 5K
  1. Arianna Neely21:34 ~ Kelly Brennan (F, 23)
  2. 22:06 ~ Lindsey Pfau (F, 23)
  3. 23:36 ~ Shannon Colavecchio (F, 35)
  4. 24:05 ~ Arianna Neely (F, 12)
  5. 24:15 ~ Paula O'Neill (F, 51)
  6. 24:46 ~ Fran McLean (F, 55)
  7. 25:08 ~ Sharon Rudd (F, 33)
  8. 25:57 ~ Birgit Maier-Katkin (F, 50)
  9. 26:04 ~ Emily Fox (F, 22)
  10. 26:30 ~ Stefanie Walters (F, 33)

Links:

14 November 2012 Tallahassee 100-Mile Race Calendar

This is the Tallahassee vicinity road-race schedule for 14 November 2012. If that's more than a week ago, the latest schedule is always available via this link:


This is a listing of upcoming races within 100 miles of Tallahassee, Florida, roughly the area in the map below. If a race isn't listed, I probably haven't heard of it, so post a comment and let me know about it.
Map
17 NOVEMBER 2012
  • 4th annual Marzuq Shrine / Bradley's Country Fun Day 5K. 8:00am ET. Bradley's Country Store, 10655 Centerville Road, Moccasin Gap, Florida 32309. 2011 story. 2010 story. Keiff Lindsey, romanroch@hotmail.com
  • Bulldog4th annual John Johnson Bulldog Trot 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM ET. John Johnson Elementary School, 1947 West Street, Bainbridge, Georgia 39819. Entry form and flyer. April Aldridge, aaldridge@dcboe.com, or Tammi Enfinger, tenfinger@dcboe.com
  • BARC Humane Society 5K. 8:00 AM ET. 1605 Azalea Drive, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. Chelsea Bartholomew, cbbartholomew@valdosta.edu or 678-428-0733.
  • 18th annual Draggin' Tail 18-Mile Run, Relay, & 5K. 8:00 am CT. St Theresa's Catholic Church, 2056 Sunny Hills Boulevard, Sunny Hills, Florida. 2011 story. 2010 story. Marty Kirkland 850-265-8439 or Joe Edgecombe joeruns@yahoo.com or 850-763-5005.
  • 2nd annual Pecan 5K. 8:30 AM CT. Johnny Williams Memorial Park 5474 11th Street Malone, Florida 32445. Event page on Facebook. malone5kruns@yahoo.com
  • Raider Run 5K and one-mile fun run. 9:00 AM CT 5K / 10:00 AM CT one mile. Houston Academy, 901 Buena Vista Drive, Dothan, Alabama 36303.
  • 2nd annual Wild Hog Jog 5M, 5K, and Chicken Crawl one mile. 9:00AM CT. Gulf Coast State College, 5230 West Highway 98, Panama City, Florida. Event web site. Online registration at active.com. Kris Retherford, k.retherford@retherfordcontracting.net or 850-527-2861.
  • EagleFest Dash For Cash 8K, 5K, and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM CT. Providence Christian School, 4847 Murphy Mill Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303. Event web page. Online registration at OneStopRace.com. pcseaglefest@aol.com or 334-702-8933.
  • Turkey Trot 10K, 5K, and one-mile fun run. 9:00 AM CT. Fort Rucker Physical Fitness Facility Bldg 4605, Andrews Avenue, Fort Rucker, Alabama 36362. Entry form and flyer. Kristi Fink, kristina.l.fink.naf@mail.mil or 334-255-0308.
22 NOVEMBER 2012
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 37th annual Tallahassee Turkey Trot 15K / 10K / 5K. 8:00 am ET. State Office Satellite Complex at SouthWood, Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, FL. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Event web site. David Yon, david@radeylaw.com or 850-425-6671 or 850-668-2236
  • Valdosta Thanksgiving Day 5K. 8:00am ET. Valdosta Early College Academy, Azalea Drive and College Street, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. 2011 story. 2010 story. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at RunSignUp.com. A Course/Line, LLC, acourseline@earthlink.net or 229-630-1455.
24 NOVEMBER 2012
  • Pilgrim Chase Trail Run 5K. 9:00 am CT. Westgate Park, 801 Recreation Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web page. Larry Dykes, drcprez@yahoo.com or 334-792-6021.
  • Swine Time 5K. 8:30am ET. Swine Time Fairgrounds, New Street, Climax Georgia. 2011 story. Entry form and flyer. Paul Fryer, pfryer1@gmail.com or 229-246-8560 or Chip Ariail, dariail@dcboe.com or 229-243-9120.
1 DECEMBER 2012
  • Gulf Winds Track Club Ten-Mile Challenge / Five-Mile Run. 8:00 am ET. Hawks Rise Elementary School, 205 Meadow Ridge Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32312-1565. USATF certified courses FL10078EBM (ten mile) and FL10077EBM (five mile). 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web page. Event page on Facebook. Reid Vannoy, reidv@comcast.net or 850-591-7891.
  • Fourth annual Run for the Redfish Half-Marathon / 5K / one-mile fun run. 8:00am CT. Pier Park, Margaritaville, 16230 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach 32413. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web site.
  • 25th annual Jingle Bell Jog 10K / 5K / One-Mile. 8:00am ET (10 km) / 9:00am et (5 km). Phoebe Health Works, 311 West 3rd Avenue, Albany, GA 31701. 2010 story. USATF certified courses GA09042WC (10 km) and GA09041WC (5 km). Event web site. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at active.com. 229-312-2200.
7 DECEMBER 2012
  • Jingle Jog one-mile fun run. 5:00 PM ET. Lighthouse Park, St. George Island, Florida. Event web page.
8 DECEMBER 2012
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 32nd annual Tallahassee Ultra Distance Classic 50K/50M. 7:00 am ET. Wakulla Springs State Park, 550 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, Florida. USATF certified course FL08072EBM. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web site. Gary Griffin, runlong@nettally.com
15 DECEMBER 2012
  • Gulf Wind Track Club's second annual Tannenbaum Trail 6K Cross Country Run. 9:00AM ET. Apalachee Regional Park Trail, 7550 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida. 2011 story. Brian Corbin, brirun@comcast.net, or Herb Wills, hwills@gmail.com
  • Beaches and Bells Holiday 5K and 1K fun run. 9:00am CT 5K / 9:00am CT 1K. Aaron Bessant Park, 600 Pier Park, Panama City Beach, FL, 32417. Online registration at active.com.
  • 2nd annual Chomp Cancer 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Fort White Community Center, 17579 SW State Road 47, Fort White, Florida. Event web site. Online registration at active.com.
  • Wiregrass Habitrot Elves on the Trail 5K. 9:00 AM CT. Kiwanis Pavilion at Westgate Park, 801 Recreation Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303. Amy Schutz, aschutz@wiregrasshabitat.org or 334-792-8453.
29 DECEMBER 2012
  • Last Gasp 5K Trail Run. 9:00AM CT. Westgate Park, 801 Recreation Road, Dothan, Alabama 36303. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web page. Larry Dykes, drcprez@yahoo.com or 334-792-6021.
5 JANUARY 2013
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 29th annual Bowlegs 5K Run for Scholarship. 9:00am ET. FAMU / FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32310-6046. USATF certified course #FL95008DL. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. Larry Giunipero, lgiunip@cob.fsu.edu or 850-878-5569, or Bill Hillison, bhillis@garnet.acns.fsu.edu or 850-893-4557.
12 JANUARY 2013
19 JANUARY 2013
  • 9th annual Kiwanis River Run 10K / 5K. 9:00am ET. Earle May Boat Basin, 100 Boat Basin Circle, Bainbridge, Georgia 39817. 2012 story. 2011 story. 10K is on USATF certified course GA05001WC. Lance Wilson, lance.wilson096@cottonstates.com or 229-400-5854.
  • 17th annual Museum of Aviation Foundation Marathon / Half-Marathon / 5K. 8:00 AM ET Marathon / 8:15 AM ET Half-Marathon / 8:30 AM ET 5K. Museum of Aviation, Hwy 247 and Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, Georgia. USATF certified courses #GA10005WC (Marathon), #GA09003WC (Half Marathon), #GA09005WC (5K). Event web page. Museum of Aviation Foundation at museumevents@museumofaviation.org or 478-923-6600, or John Hunter, Race Director, at hunterjh@cox.net or 478-335-3426.
26 JANUARY 2013
  • The 31st annual Hog Wild Run 15K and 5K. 2:00pm CT. The Depot Off Main, 120 Museum Avenue, Dothan, Alabama 36303. 2012 story. 2011 story. 15K course map. Event web page. Larry Dykes, drcprez@yahoo.com or 334-792-6021.
2 FEBRUARY 2013
3 FEBRUARY 2013
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 39th annual Tallahassee Marathon and Half-Marathon. 7:30 am ET. Mike Long Track, Florida State University, Chieftain Way at Spirit Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event page on Facebook. Event web site. Tallahasseemarathon@gmail.com
16 FEBRUARY 2013
2 MARCH 2013
  • Thomasville Road Baptist Church 10K, 5K, & one-mile fun run. 8:00AM ET one mile / 8:30am ET 10K and 5K. Thomasville Road Baptist Church, 3131 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32309. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. USATF certified course FL09035EBM (10K). USATF certified course FL09036EBM (5K). Grea Bevis, greabevis@yahoo.com
  • 7th annual Albany Marathon and Half-Marathon. 7:00 am ET. Veteran's Park, 112 North Front Street, Albany, GA 31701. USATF certified course GA07003WC (Marathon), GA07002WC (half-Marathon). 2011 story. Event web site. Printable entry form. Online registration at active.com. info@albanymarathon.com or 229-317-4760.
  • Red Pepper Run 5K. 8:00am ET. The Blue Parrot, 68 West Gorrie Drive, St. George Island, Florida 32328. 2011 story. Susan Bassett, 850-323-0092.
9 MARCH 2013
  • Shamrock Scurry 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00AM ET one mile / 8:30AM ET 5K. Killearn United Methodist Church, 2800 Shamrock South, Tallahassee, Florida 32309. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web page. USATF certified course #FL10021EBM. Course map. Connie Clark, rclarke54@comcast.net or 850-933-2429.
  • 35th annual Winston Howell 10,000 Meter Road Race. 9:00am CT. National Guard Armory, Highway 52 and 167, Hartford, AL 36344. 2011 story. USATF certified course #AL96005JD. Event web site. Cary Hatcher at hatch@alaweb.com or 334-588-2343.
10 MARCH 2013
  • 4th annual Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranches, Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K. 7:40am ET. Florida Sheriff's Youth Ranch, 1813 Cecil Webb Place, Live Oak, FL 32060. USATF certified course FL10028EBM (Marathon & half-Marathon), Event web page. Online registration at active.com. Chris Carusone, 941-799-7184.
16 MARCH 2013
  • Capital City Youth Services Celtic 5K. 2:00 PM ET. College Avenue and Adams Street, Downtown Tallahassee, Florida. 2012 story.
23 MARCH 2013
30 MARCH 2013
6 APRIL 2013
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 38th annual Springtime 10K, Publix 5K & Target 1-Miler. 7:45am ET one-mile / 8:10am ET 10K and 5K. Leon County Courthouse, 301 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32301. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Event web site. Entry form and flyer. Online registration at active.com. Judy Alexander, jalexander98@comcast.net or 850-383-1361.
13 APRIL 2013
  • 2nd annual Bainbridge Half Marathon. 7:00AM ET. Memorial Hospital, 1500 E. Shotwell Street, Bainbridge, Georgia. 2012 story. Event web site.
20 APRIL 2013
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 38th annual Palace Saloon 5K. 8:00am ET. James Messer Fields Park, Jackson Bluff Road and Dupree Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304. USATF certified course FL99027DL. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Event web site.
27 APRIL 2013

  • Rose36th annual Rose City Run 10K and one mile kids' run. 8:00 am ET 10K / 9:30 am ET one mile. North Broad Street and Monroe Street, Thomasville, GA. USATF certified course GA92011WN (10K). 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. Event web site. rcr@ymcathomasville.org or 229-226-9878.
  • Ronald McDonald House Red Shoe Run 10K, 5K, and one-mile fun run. 8:00am ET one mile/8:30am ET 10K and 5K. Southwood Capital Office Complex, Esplanade Way, Tallahassee, Florida. 2012 story. Kathy Anderson, kanderson@rmhctallahassee.org or 850-222-0056x23.
4 MAY 2013
  • 12th annual Tallahassee Tails & Trails 10K, 5K, and one-mile fun run. 8:30 AM ET. Tallahassee-Leon County Animal Service Center, 1125 Easterwood Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32311. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Event web site.
18 MAY 2013
  • 6th annual Missionette 5K / 10K Extraordinary Run. 8:00 am ET. Family Worship Center of Cairo, 1400 South Broad Street, Cairo, GA 39828. USATF certified course GA09001WC (10K) and GA09002WC (5K). 2010 story. Katina Stewart 229-378-0970.
27 MAY 2013
  • USA Flag7th annual Memorial Day 5K Night Race. 7:00 pm ET. Bainbridge Middle School tennis courts, Miluli Avenue at South Boulevard Drive, Bainbridge, Georgia 39819. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Stacy Warren, tsmwarren3@att.net
  • 5thUSA Flag annual Valdosta Memorial Day 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Valdosta Early College Academy, 1605 Azalea Drive, Valdosta, Georgia. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. A Course/Line, LLC, acourseline@earthlink.net or 229-630-1455.
1 JUNE 2013
  • Gulf Winds Track Club's 16th annual Potluck Bash 4-Mile Run. 6:00 pm ET. Forestmeadows Athletic Center, 4750 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. David Yon, david@radeylaw.com or 850-425-6671.
4 JULY 2013
  • 5th annual Valdosta Independence Day 5K. 7:15am ET. 3200 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, Georgia 31602. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. A Course/Line, acourseline@earthlink.net or 229-630-1455.
21 SEPTEMBER 2013
  • Race of the South 10K / 5K / one-mile fun run. 7:30 AM ET 10K and 5K, 9:00 AM ET one mile. Moultrie YMCA, 601 26th Avenue Southeast, Moultrie, Georgia 31768. 2012 story. 2010 story. Event web page. Leslie Peretti, leslieymca@hotmail.com or 229-985-1154.

25 OCTOBER 2013
  • PumpkinheadYMCA Trick or Trot 5K Night Race and one-mile fun run. 6:00 PM ET one mile / 6:30 PM ET 5K. YMCA at Southwood, 3196 Merchants Row Boulevard suite 200, Tallahassee, Florida. 2012 story. 2011 story. Entry form and flyer. Tasha Everette, teverette@capitalregionymca.org

26 OCTOBER 2013
  • 34th annual Boston Mini-Marathon. 8:00 am ET. Commercial Bank, 124 West Jefferson Street, Boston, GA 31626. 2012 story. 2011 story. 2010 story. 2009 story. Brad Johnson, bradjohnson@bankcb.com or 229-498-8500 (day) / 229-226-4679 (evening).
11 NOVEMBER 2013

  • USA Flag3rd annual Allen Beal Memorial Veterans' Day 5K. 8:30 AM ET. Vietnam War Memorial, South Calhoun Street at Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, Florida. 2012 story. 2011 story.
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