For many runners, the Run For Lawson 10K would be enough. 6.2 grueling miles of cross-country running over the hills and meadows of Welaunee Plantation is quite a test. For Chris Lake, though, the 10K was just a stepping stone to an even longer race.
"I'm getting ready for the half-marathon in Jacksonville next week," explained Lake.
Lake showed off some of that preparation on Saturday morning, 28 September 2013, winning the 10K cross-country race at the third annual Run For Lawson in 35:50. The time set a new record for the race and put Lake at the front of a field of 172 finishers in the 10K.
The race started and finished at 8:30 AM behind Holy Comforter Episcopal School on a hilltop, making for a fast start and a tough finish. A 5K race also started at the same time; the 5K runners did one loop around the course and the 10K runners continued around for a second loop. On the first time around, Chris Lake got out in front of everyone, whether they were running the 10K or the shorter 5K. Jack Redwing and Roger Schmidt led the pursuit, followed by Tony Guillen, the defending champion. Lake edged farther ahead through the first loop and into the second half of the race. Redwing and Schmidt continued to run together till the last mile. Schmidt made a move, leaving Redwing behind. Then, with the end of the race approaching, Schmidt took a wrong turn. By the time Schmidt recovered, Redwing had an insurmountable advantage, and had even made up some ground on Lake. Lake was home first in 35:50, though, with Redwing taking second in 36:38. Roger Schmidt was third with a 37:37. Tony Guillen was the first master runner in the race, coming in fourth at 38:44. Each of the top four athletes beat Guillen's winning time in 2012, the old course record.
Jillian Heddaeus led the women's field through the first half of the 10K race. Early in the second loop Renee Cox overtook Heddaeus, moving into the lead. Heddaeus stayed close, though, and it got even closer when Cox took a wrong turn at the same spot where Schmidt had gone astray. Cox recovered quickly, though, and raced to the finish line ahead of Heddaeus, winning the women's title in 45:53, a new course record for women. Heddaeus was right behind in 45:57. Gray Kinch was the third female finisher, running 47:20. Lisa Rutledge was the first female master, finishing tenth in the women's field with a 49:39.
Top Ten Men, 2013 Run For Lawson 10K
- 35:49.2 ~ Chris Lake (M, 26)
- 36:37.9 ~ Jack Redwing (M, 27) Tallahassee, FL
- 37:36.4 ~ Roger Schmidt (M, 22) Tallahassee, FL
- 38:44.6 ~ Tony Guillen (M, 44) Tallahassee, FL
- 40:01.8 ~ Paul Guyas (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
- 42:02.4 ~ Michael Kennett (M, 39) Tallahassee, FL
- 42:23.3 ~ Charlie Lang (M, 15) Tallahassee, FL
- 42:27.4 ~ Camilo OrdoƱez (M, 34) Tallahassee, FL
- 42:44.1 ~ Reikan Lin (M, 23) Tallahassee, FL
- 42:46.9 ~ Geb Kiros (M, 47) Tallahassee, FL
Top Ten Women, 2013 Run For Lawson 10K
- 45:52.6 ~ Renee Cox (F, 26) Tallahassee, FL
- 45:56.8 ~ Jillian Heddaeus (F, 30) Tallahassee, FL
- 47:19.3 ~ Gray Kinch (F, 14) Tallahassee, FL
- 47:53.9 ~ Brook Pace (F, 34) Tallahassee, FL
- 48:38.6 ~ Joti Kerhav (F, 17)
- 48:46.9 ~ Andrea Duffy (F, 37) Monticello, FL
- 49:12.5 ~ Urska Dobersek (F, 30) Tallahassee, FL
- 49:30.4 ~ Martha Bademan (F, 29) Tallahassee, FL
- 49:38.5 ~ Lisa Rutledge (F, 52) Tallahassee, FL
- 52:58.5 ~ Sydne Kilberg (F, 19)
Gary Droze is the only champion that the Run For Lawson 5K has ever had. The Maclay School coach won the race in 2011 and 2012, then added a third title in 2013 with a winning 18:20 for the 3.1 miles. Runner-up Michael Martinez was half a minute back in 18:52. Likewise on the female side, Maclay School freshman Molly McCann had a string of two straight victories in the Run For Lawson 5K going into this year's race. McCann extended her streak to three with a winning 21:23, a new Run For Lawson 5K record for women. Lindsay Pfau was next in 21:52, and Holy Comforter Episcopal School cross-country runner Katherine Resavage was the third female finisher, posting a 22:27. 315 athletes finished the 5K.
Finish line and timing services for both races were provided by
racetimesports.com of Altamonte Springs, Florida.
Top Ten Men, 2013 Run For Lawson 5K
- 18:19.8 ~ Gary Droze (M, 52) Tallahassee, FL
- 18:51.1 ~ Michael Martinez (M, 47) Tallahassee, FL
- 19:34.1 ~ Evan Wilson (M, 17) Tallahassee, FL
- 20:14.6 ~ Steve Rosenau (M, 56)
- 20:57.6 ~ Russell Mick (M, 36) Tallahassee, FL
- 21:13.8 ~ Cody Higgins (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
- 22:21.6 ~ Craig Willis (M, 62) Tallahassee, FL
- 22:29.7 ~ Harrison Obrecht (M, 14)
- 22:31.6 ~ Tad David (M, 44) Tallahassee, FL
- 22:31.2 ~ Joseph Ashebo (M, 12)
Top Ten Women, 2013 Run For Lawson 5K
- 21:22.1 ~ Molly McCann (F, 14) Tallahassee, FL
- 21:51.8 ~ Lindsey Pfau (F, 24) Tallahassee, FL
- 22:26.3 ~ Katherine Resavage (F, 12)
- 22:59.2 ~ Clara McClure (F, 17)
- 23:52.3 ~ Emily Culley (F, 12) Tallahassee, FL
- 24:49.6 ~ Brittney Barnes (F, 25) Tallahassee, FL
- 25:07.7 ~ Alex Vezina (F, 25) Tallahassee, FL
- 24:59.1 ~ Lindsey Poole (F, 17)
- 25:31.6 ~ Meghan Kennedy (F, 33) Tallahassee, FL
- 25:27.3 ~ Natalie Laywell (F, 12) Tallahassee, FL
Run For Lawson champions, 2011-2013 |
Date | Distance | Men | Women | Finishers |
8 October 2011 | 5K | 17:29, Gary Droze | 22:22, Molly McCann | 393 |
6 October 2012 | 10K | 39:32, Tony Guillen | 52:00, Allison Thumm | 123 |
5K | 18:29, Gary Droze | 22:00, Molly McCann | 335 |
28 September 2013 | 10K | 35:50, Chris Lake | 45:53, Renee Cox | 174 |
5K | 18:20, Gary Droze | 21:23, Molly McCann | 317 |
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