At the fourth annual Hospice Half Marathon in Dasher, Georgia, on 15 February 2014, Ryan Kelly won the 13.1-mile race, just like in 2013. Kevin Sweeny was the runner-up and top master, just like in 2013. Beth Sweeny won the women's title and set a new women's record for the event, just like in 2013.There were differences, of course. Ryan Kelly's time this year was 1:21:44. Kevin Sweeny ran a 1:22:32. Beth Sweeny's new record was 1:30:28.
And there was the train.
About 20 kilometers into the race, the course crossed a railroad track. The leaders arrived at the crossing about the same time as a freight train. Ryan Kelly made it across, but Sweeny was stuck waiting for the train to go by."Longest 51 seconds of my life," recalled Sweeny.
The tracks were clear by the time the rest of the field arrived. Scott Gordon, racing in Dasher for a second week in a row, finished third in 1:27:20. On the women's side, Lake Park's Alison Thornhill was runner-up behind Beth Sweeny, placing 11th overall in 1:47:48. Mercer University freshman cross-country runner Aubrey Suddarth was third in the women's standings, 13th overall in 1:51:04. The first woman master was Valdosta's April Scruggs, fourth for the women and 14th overall in 1:51:51.
The Hospice Half Marathon benefits the patients and families cared for by Hospice of South Georgia and the Langdale Hospice House. 84 athletes finished this year's race.
Top Ten Men, 2014 Hospice Half Marathon
- 1:21:43.1 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
- 1:22:31.6 ~ Kevin Sweeny (M, 44) St Augustine, FL
- 1:27:19.7 ~ Scott Gordon (M, 30) Tallahasee, FL
- 1:30:58.4 ~ Aaron Williams (M, 29) Valdosta, GA
- 1:31:24.7 ~ Paulino Cruz (M, 25) Moultrie, GA
- 1:34:47.3 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
- 1:41:35.5 ~ Colin Prinsloo (M, 27) Valdosta, GA
- 1:44:57.3 ~ Deon Prinsloo (M, 49) Valdosta, GA
- 1:46:32.5 ~ Kyle Baxter (M, 29) Valdosta, GA
- 1:49:47.0 ~ Darren McCall (M, 30) Valdosta, GA
Top Ten Women, 2014 Hospice Half Marathon
- 1:30:27.6 ~ Beth Sweeny (F, 29) St Augustine, FL
- 1:47:47.0 ~ Alison Thornhill (F, 33) Lake Park, GA
- 1:51:03.9 ~ Aubrey Suddarth (F, 19) Valdosta, GA
- 1:51:50.1 ~ April Scruggs (F, 45) valdosta, GA
- 1:52:23.2 ~ Alesha Waller (F, 30) Lake City, FL
- 1:53:12.4 ~ Jennifer Hummel (F, 40) Valdosta, GA
- 1:55:24.8 ~ Hayley Belcher (F, 20) Smiths, AL
- 1:57:08.0 ~ Brittany Folsom (F, 28) Hahira, GA
- 1:57:16.6 ~ Melanie Ellis (F, 40) Valdosta, GA
- 1:57:38.6 ~ Gina Purvis (F, 54) Valdosta, GA
| Hospice Half Marathon champions, 2011-2014 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Men | Women | Finishers |
| 19 February 2011 | 1:25:36, Masked Avenger | 1:43:03, Brandi Faircloth | 72 |
| 17 February 2012 | 1:23:09, Stan Darsh | 1:37:58, Amy Sharon | 76 |
| 16 February 2013 | 1:20:45, Ryan Kelly | 1:32:23, Beth Sweeny | 107 |
| 15 February 2014 | 1:21:44, Ryan Kelly | 1:30:28, Beth Sweeny | 84 |
Links
- Complete results of the 2014 Hospice Half Marathon, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdG10RlFTR3RUcUVtcE5TMTNGaVZtZVE
- 2013 story, "Kelly and Sweeny set records in third annual Hospice Half"
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/02/hospice-half-2013.html
- 2011 story, "Avenger, Faircloth dash through Dasher to Hospice Half victories"
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/02/hospice-half-2011.html
- Sweeny and Sweeny's engagement race
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-palace-saloon-5k.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
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