Kelly and Sweeny set records in third annual Hospice Half

Lately it seems like there is a new half marathon in south Georgia each year. The Boston (mini) Marathon is the grand-daddy of these, of course. Having been around since 1979, the race is older than many of the athletes running it. But in 2012 the Red Nose Run Half Marathon popped up in Thomasville, and before that the Hospice Half Marathon arose in Dasher in 2011. The Hospice Half is still around, and was back for a third running on Saturday morning, 16 February 2013. Valdosta Middle School cross-country coach Ryan Kelly won the 13.1-mile race, setting a new event record of 1:20:45. Half a kilometer back, Kevin Sweeny was the runner-up as well as the fastest master in the race, running 1:22:52. Tallahassee master runner Jack McDermott was third in 1:23:36, and Tyler Thurman of Lowndes High School was fourth at 1:29:46.


Not about to be upstaged by the men, Beth Sweeny of St. Augustine, Florida set a new Hospice Half Marathon women's record, winning the women's division in 1:32:23. Sweeny finished the race over a mile ahead of the next woman, Laura McDermott of Tallahassee. Ten-year-old Valdosta runner Kelsey Morse was the third female finisher, clocking 1:41:46.


107 athletes finished the half marathon, the most ever in the three-year history of the race. The event benefits  the patients and families cared for by Hospice of South Georgia and the Langdale Hospice House..


Top Ten Males, 2013 Hospice Half Marathon

1. 1:20:45 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 34) Lake Park, GA
2. 1:22:52 ~ Kevin Sweeny (M, 43)
3. 1:23:36 ~ Jack McDermott (M, 43) Tallahassee, FL
4. 1:29:46 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
5. 1:31:25 ~ Michael Kennett (M, 39) Tallahassee, FL
6. 1:32:18 ~ John Coleman (M, 37) Lake City, FL
7. 1:34:55 ~ Mark Ruse (M, 48) Valdosta, GA
8. 1:35:23 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 45)
9. 1:36:29 ~ Chance Roe (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
10. 1:36:56 ~ Scott Douglas (M, 37)

Top Ten Females, 2013 Hospice Half Marathon

1. 1:32:23 ~ Beth Sweeny (F, 28) St. Augustine, FL
2. 1:40:30 ~ Laura McDermott (F, 33) Tallahassee, FL
3. 1:41:46 ~ Kelsey Morse (F, 10) Valdosta, GA
4. 1:43:05 ~ Stephanie Harley (F, 30) Valdosta, GA
5. 1:43:17 ~ Elizabeth Smith (F, 34) Valdosta, GA
6. 1:46:15 ~ Elizabeth Smith (F, 40)
7. 1:48:59 ~ Mackenzie Morse (F, 13) Valdosta, GA
8. 1:50:04 ~ Mackenzie Page (F, 13) Ray City, GA
9. 1:52:17 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 45)
10. 1:52:26 ~ Katelin Stecz (F, 13) Kalamazoo, MI

Hospice Half Marathon champions, 2011-2013
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
19 FEB 2011	1:25:36 ~ Masked Avenger	1:43:03 ~ Brandi Faircloth	72
17 FEB 2012	1:23:09 ~ Stan Darsh	1:37:58 ~ Amy Sharon	76
16 FEB 2013	1:20:45 ~ Ryan Kelly	1:32:23 ~ Beth Sweeny	107

Links

• Complete results of the 2013 Hospice Half Marathon
  
  
  
• 2011 story, "Avenger, Faircloth dash through Dasher to Hospice Half victories"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/02/hospice-half-2011.html
  
  
• Hospice Half Marathon web site
  http://www.hospicehalfanddash.com/
  
  
• If there's another new half marathon, you'll find it on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1