Kaiser wins the GWTC 30K while Khosla and Rosen tumble records in the 15K

Goldilocks wouldn't care for the Gulf Winds Track Club 30K. Like the porridge she sampled in the three bears' cottage, some years the weather is too hot and some years it's too cold. Like the bears' beds she tried out, some years the clay roads are too hard and some year's they're too soft--it depends on when it rained last. Nevertheless, some years everything at the 30K is just right. The 38th annual GWTC 30K on Saturday morning, 17 January 2015, fell in one of those "just right" years, with near perfect weather and road conditions. Taking advantage of the "just right" day on Old Centerville and Sunny Hill Roads, Nate Kaiser won the 18.6-mile race in 1:53:19, while Katie Sherron took the women's title with a 2:22:32, finishing 19th overall. In the concurrently run 15K, Leon High senior Sukhi Khosla won with a new course record of 50:11. Sheryl Rosen picked up her third women's win of 2015 in the 15K, placing 12th overall in 58:37.


The 30K and 15K started near the Retreat at Bradley's Pond, just north of Tallahassee. Nearly 300 runners made the first turn from Bradley Road onto Centerville Road; 165 would finish the 15K and another 107 the 30K. Chasing the fastest 15K runners, Five-time GWTC 30K champion Vince Molosky led the long race. At 7-1/2 kilometers the 15K runners turned around to head back to Bradley's Pond, and Molosky was alone out front. The nearest pursuit was half a kilometer back--Tallahassee runners Nate Kaiser, Geb Kiros, and Adam Greenstein. Another hundred meters behind that group, Patrick Whitehead of Albany, Georgia, ran in fifth.


Molosky made it to the halfway point, the turnaround on Sunny Hill Road, still in command of the 30K. There are two halves of a race though. Nate Kaiser caught Molosky early in the second half of the 30K, and by the 20K mark Kaiser was 70 meters ahead. That gap was widening. Patrick Whitehead was still over half a kilometer back at that point, but he was gaining on Molosky.


"I caught him with about two miles to go," said Whitehead.


No one caught Kaiser, however. In his GWTC 30K debut, Kaiser won the race in 1:53:19. Whitehead was second in 1:56:51 and Molosky was third in 1:58:55. Once a contender for second, Adam Greenstein was fourth in 2:02:02. Peter Kaus placed fifth in 2:03:47. Geb Kiros was the fastest master runner in the race, sixth overall in 2:04:54.


Katie Sherron had won the women's division at the 30K two of the last three years. Seven kilometers into the 2015 race, she was 300 meters ahead of the next woman, Jillian Heddaeus, and looking likely to make it three out of four. Sherron made it to the halfway mark still leading the women's field, and her second half was as strong as her first. Over the last 10 kilometers Sherron doubled her lead and finished atop the women's standings in 2:22:32. Heddaeus hung on to take the second women's spot, 22nd overall in 2:28:31. 2014 30K women's winner Laura McDermott was narrowing the gap on Heddaeus late in the race, but never enough to pose a challenge. The third woman finisher, McDermott was 23rd overall in 2:30:01. Nancy Stedman was the first woman master and sixth female finisher, placing 33rd overall in 2:39:34.


Top Ten Men, 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K

1. 1:53:19 ~ Nate Kaiser (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
2. 1:56:51 ~ Patrick Whitehead (M, 28) Albany, GA
3. 1:58:55 ~ Vince Molosky (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
4. 2:02:02 ~ Adam Greenstein (M, 23)
5. 2:03:47 ~ Peter Kaus (M, 30) Tallahassee, FL
6. 2:04:54 ~ Geb Kiros (M, 48) Tallahassee, FL
7. 2:12:34 ~ Jack McDermott (M, 45) Tallahassee, FL
8. 2:16:53 ~ Mark Tombrink (M, 27)
9. 2:18:21 ~ Paul Guyas (M, 37) Tallahassee, FL
10. 2:18:42 ~ Jon Mason (M, 41)

Top Ten Women, 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K

1. 2:22:32 ~ Katie Sherron (F, 33) Tallahassee, FL
2. 2:28:31 ~ Jillian Heddaeus (F, 31) Tallahassee, FL
3. 2:30:01 ~ Laura McDermott (F, 35) Tallahassee, FL
4. 2:34:40 ~ Hilary Joyner (F, 39)
5. 2:34:40 ~ Nikky Manausa (F, 33)
6. 2:39:34 ~ Nancy Stedman (F, 53) Tallahassee, FL
7. 2:42:25 ~ Jane Skalski (F, 30) Tallahassee, FL
8. 2:42:33 ~ Katie Clark (F, 40)
9. 2:43:44 ~ Emma Spencer (F, 33)
10. 2:43:51 ~ Tiffany Roddenberry (F, 30)

Race day dawned on about as close to a winter morning as North Florida ever sees, with frost glazing the grass along the road. It was the kind of cool air in which the heat engine that powers a runner works most efficiently. You could see that in the front of the 15K field. Sukhi Khosla and Hunter Scott started the race in long sleeves, knit caps, and gloves, but by three kilometers the two Leon High seniors had abandoned the cold weather gear. Khosla was on a mission. The holder of four Florida high school running titles and the winner of the last two GWTC 15K races, Khosla wanted the course record. He had missed it by one second in the 2014 race, a rainy day when the unpaved half of the course had been a muddy morass. This year the footing was excellent. Taking advantage of the conditions Khosla posted a winning 50:11, trimming nearly a minute off of Will Stanford's 2009 course record of 51:05. Hunter Scott was second in 51:51 and Dan Baur third in 53:43. Zach DeVeau ran a strong second half, moving up to edge Leon sophomore Matt Cashin for fourth, 55:28 to 55:32. Jesse Espinoza was the fastest master in the 15K, coming in sixth overall in 56:27.


Sheryl Rosen is a four-time women's champ at the GWTC 30K, with wins in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. In 2014 she took a break from the long race and finished second to Seeley Gutierrez in the 15K. In 2015 Rosen was back in the 15K and finishing second to no one. The Tallahassee lawyer ran 58:37, placing 12th overall, taking the first women's spot, and setting a new course record for women. It was also nearly two minutes faster than Rosen had run two months earlier on a fully-paved 15K course at the Tallahassee Turkey Trot. Stephanie Liles-Weyant was the women's runner-up and top woman master, coming in 23rd overall in 62:47. Renee Cox was third in the women's standings, 30th overall in 67:04.


When everything is "just right," a lot of athletes leave the race happy. That includes out-of-town visitors, like Albany, Georgia, runner Patrick Whitehead.


"Gorgeous course," said Whitehead after the race. "I hope to run it again."


Next January he can.


Top Ten Men, 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 15K

1. 50:11 ~ Sukhi Khosla (M, 18)
2. 51:51 ~ Hunter Scott (M, 18)
3. 53:43 ~ Dan Baur (M, 28)
4. 55:28 ~ Zach Deveau (M, 27)
5. 55:32 ~ Matthew Cashin (M, 15)
6. 56:27 ~ Jesse Espinoza (M, 48)
7. 58:00 ~ Adam Wallenfelsz (M, 17)
8. 58:08 ~ Danny Moore (M, 17)
9. 58:23 ~ Jake Mazziotta (M, 16)
10. 58:29 ~ James McClure (M, 15)

Top Ten Women, 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 15K

1. 58:37 ~ Sheryl Rosen (F, 30)
2. 62:47 ~ Stephanie Liles-Weyant (F, 42)
3. 67:04 ~ Renee Cox (F, 27)
4. 71:06 ~ Sarrah Carroll (F, 32)
5. 71:16 ~ Zoe Sheldon (F, 15)
6. 71:26 ~ Caroline Willis (F, 15)
7. 71:45 ~ Grace Lockhart (F, 16)
8. 71:51 ~ Gray Kinch (F, 15)
9. 74:49 ~ Jane Johnson (F, 55)
10. 76:52 ~ Sarah Dugas (F, 36)

Gulf Winds Track Club 30K Champions, 1978 - 2015
Dates	Race	Men	Women	Finishers
17 January 2015	30K	1:53:19, Nate Kaiser	2:22:32, Katie Sherron	107
	15K	50:11, Sukhi Khosla	58:37, Sheryl Rosen	165
11 January 2014	30K	1:57:29, Vince Molosky	2:34:23, Laura McDermott	55
	15K	51:06, Sukhi Khosla	61:27, Seeley Gutierrez	169
12 January 2013	30K	1:48:22, Stanley Linton	2:16:41, Katie Showman	150
	15K	52:57, Sukhi Khosla	64:19, Kristin Sweeney	200
14 January 2012	30K	1:51:30, Charlie Johnson	2:17:38, Katie Showman	150
	15K	53:29, Stanley Linton	60:42, Pasca Cheruiyot	176
15 January 2011	30K	1:51:48, Vince Molosky	2:17:15, Heather Griffis	103
	15K	53:03, Stephen Cox	59:55, Lisa Johnson	169
16 January 2010	30K	1:56:14, Vince Molosky	2:14:22, Sheryl Rosen	90
	15K	51:50, Matt Mizereck	63:45, Lisa Johnson	101
17 January 2009	30K	1:54:06, Vince Molosky	2:11:41, Sheryl Rosen	87
	15K	51:05, Will Stanford	61:49, Lisa Johnson	96
12 January 2008	30K	2:00:29, Vince Molosky	2:17:24, Sheryl Rosen	77
	15K	54:23, Matt Mizereck	63:13, Lisa Johnson	126
13 January 2007	30K	2:01:23, Justin Dickieson	2:04:21, Sheryl Rosen	70
	15K	58:18, Matthew Mizereck	73:40, Anna Busby	50
21 January 2006	30K	2:03:36, Michael Douma	2:09:27, Stephanie Liles	65
	15K	58:51, Chris Holland	60:30, Sarah Docter-Williams	59
22 January 2005	30K	1:56:18, Art Remillard	2:13:50, Jane Johnson	38
16 January 2004	30K	1:56:00, Timothy Bolton	2:09:27, Jane Johnson	69
18 January 2003	30K	2:02:28, Larry Mengelkoch	2:07:46, Jane Johnson
15 December 2001	30K	2:09:43, Tom Ratliffe	2:22:56, Carrie Weyant
3 February 2001	30K	2:00:29, Kevin Porter	2:02:27, Jane Johnson
5 February 2000	30K	1:57:47, Garth Grumme	1:53:04, Anne Van Schuppen
6 February 1999	30K	1:58:17, Doug Gorton	2:11:20, Jane Johnson
10 January 1998	30K	1:57:45, Clarence Calloway	2:04:34, Jane Johnson
7 January 1997	30K	1:54:26, Tracy Burch	2:00:28, Jane Johnson
13 January 1996	30K	1:46:14, John Viitanen	2:12:30, Eileen Telford
14 January 1995	30K	1:49:45, Herb Wills	2:22:18, Nancy Stuparich
22 January 1994	30K	1:43:50, Herb Wills	2:07:27, Lisa Herman
16 January 1993	30K	1:43:54, Herb Wills	2:12:42, Carrie Hunnicutt
4 January 1992	30K	1:46:36, Jessie Close	2:13:46, Lynda Nilges
12 January 1991	30K	1:37:31, David Keen	2:06:03, Paula Johnson
13 January 1990	30K	1:43:57, Herb Wills	2:12:00, Paula Johnson
14 January 1989	30K	1:45:31, Jessie Close	2:22:07, Mary Jean Yon
16 January 1988	30K	1:45:24, Tom Burr	2:10:04, Mae Cleveland
10 January 1987	30K	1:44:45, Larry Greene	2:11:59, Karen Macharg
18 January 1986	30K	1:38:54, Herb Wills	2:10:48, Missy James
14 January 1985	30K	1:45:10, Herb Wills	2:17:56, Mae Cleveland
14 January 1984	30K	1:43:32, Noel Shumann	2:04:20, Barbara Balzer
15 January 1983	30K	1:48:18, Andrew Wills	2:18:18, Christy Orthman
16 January 1982	30K	1:44:41, Rick Miller	1:56:57, Laura Ledbetter
1981	30K
12 January 1980	30K	1:51:19, Steve Ray	2:48:31, Robyn Anderson
3 February 1979	30K	1:42:13, Ken Misner	2:12:44, Lynda Heimann
11 March 1978	30K	1:46:19, Tim Simpkins	2:22:31, Donna Glotzbach
In 1978 the race was run on Apalachicola National Forest roads, starting and finishing near Hilliardville. From 1979 to 1981 the race was run on Natural Bridge Road. From 1982 to February 2001 the race was run in the Saint Marks National Wildlife Refuge. From December 2001 to 2005 the race was run at Natural Bridge. From 2006 to 2015 the GWTC 30K was run on Old Centerville Road and Sunny Hill Road, starting and finishing at Bradley's Retreat in Felkel.

Links

• Complete results of the 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K and 15K at gulfwinds.org
  http://www.gulfwinds.org/raceresults/2015/GWTC%2030K-15K%202015.asp
  
  
• More photos of the 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K and 15K
  
  • Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10105655431935913.1073742060.5215641&l=a1a2963c0e
  • Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10105658154395083.1073742061.5215641&l=0e7d4202d3
    
  
  
• Fred Deckert's photos of the 2015 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K and 15K
  
  • 15K: https://picasaweb.google.com/112560881455823075870/GWTC15K_15
    
  • 30K: https://picasaweb.google.com/112560881455823075870/GWTC30K_15
    
  
  
• 2014 story, "Tough mudders Molosky and McDermott win a messy GWTC 30K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/01/gwtc-30k-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, "A no-excuse 30K for Linton and Showman"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/gwtc-30k-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "Johnson and Showman roll through the Red Hills in the GWTC 30K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/01/gwtc-30k-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, "Molosky and Griffis run top 30K times on timeless Old Centerville Road"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/01/gwtc-30k-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, "Molosky and Rosen defend titles at a muddy 30K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/01/molosky-and-rosen-defend-titles-at.html
  
  
• 2009 story, "2009 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K / 15K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-gulf-winds-track-club-30k-15k.html
  
  
• 2008 story, "2008 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2008/01/2008-gulf-winds-track-club-30k.html
  
  
• USATF course certification map FL06013DL for the Gulf Winds Track Club 30K
  http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=FL06013DL
  
  
• USATF course certification map FL06014DL for the Gulf Winds Track Club 15K
  http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=FL06014DL
  
  
• Find upcoming races, long and short, in the Tallahassee region
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1281