Friday, April 28, 2017

Scharlepp and Chunka navigate the Meridian Run

Old Tallahassee Meridian MarkerBeginning in 1824, all land in the territory (and later the state) of Florida was surveyed from the intersection of the Tallahassee Meridian (84° 16′ 37.59″ W) and the Base Parallel (30° 26′ 04.12″ N). This point didn't seem to have any particular significance; it's actually in a spot that was subject to flooding by a local creek, the Saint Augustine Branch. In 1925 a modest monument was erected on the site, but it was sometimes hidden by the tall grass. When Cascades Park was renovated the monument was replaced with an impressive mosaic showing Florida and the locations of the Base Line and Tallahassee Meridian.


For most people in Tallahassee though, daily contact with the Tallahassee Meridian comes in the form of Meridian Road, which roughly traces that line of longitude through most of city. And at 3000 North Meridian Road you'll find North Florida Christian School, which on Saturday morning, 22 April 2017, hosted the fourth annual Meridian Run 10K and 5K.


Zack Scharlepp won the 10K, covering the 6.2-mile course through Tallahassee's hilly northside in 42:14. Jackson Graham finished runner-up in 43:57, and Mark Tombrink took third in 46:47. Michael Kennett was the fastest master runner in the race, placing fourth overall in 46:54.


A few steps behind Kennett, Kate Chunka was the first woman in the 10K, finishing fifth overall in 46:56. North Florida Christian sophomore Mary Gravius was second in the women's standings and sixth overall in 52:10. Holly Gorham was the first woman master and third female finisher, coming in tenth overall in 68:25.


Top Five Men, 2017 Meridian Run 10K
  1. 42:14, Zack Scharlepp (M, 34)
  2. 43:57, Jackson Graham (M, 37)
  3. 46:47, Mark Tombrink (M, 29)
  4. 46:54, Michael Kennett (M, 43)
  5. 55:56, Robert Steinmetz (M, 61)

Top Five Women, 2017 Meridian Run 10K
  1. 46:56, Kate Chunka (F, 34)
  2. 52:10, Mary Gravius (F, 16)
  3. 68:25, Holly Gorham (F, 41)
  4. 80:34, Emma Harmon (F, 19)
  5. 83:22, Chelsea Life (F, 23)

QuanDra Shanks was the overall winner and first woman in the 5K, running 19:02. John Davis was the first man to finish the 3.1-mile race, placing second overall in 19:37.


Alese Autore was second in the 5K women's standings and third overall in 19:46, while Zenia George was the third woman and fourth overall in 19:54. Cricket Wood was the top woman master and fifth female finisher, eighth overall in 24:37.


Preston Reece, a North Florida Christian sophomore, was the second male finisher and sixth overall in 20:21. Darren Seymour was the first master runner in the field and third male finisher, seventh overall in 20:24.


Top Five Women, 2017 Meridian Run 5K
  1. 19:02, QuanDra Shanks (F, 21)
  2. 19:46, Alese Autore (F, 39)
  3. 19:54, Zenia George (F, 28)
  4. 20:06, Haleh Rush (F, 13)
  5. 24:37, Cricket Wood (F, 48)

Top Five Men, 2017 Meridian Run 5K
  1. 19:37, John Davis (M, 34)
  2. 20:21, Preston Reece (M, 16)
  3. 20:24, Darren Seymour (M, 46)
  4. 34:42, David Hicks (M, 26)
  5. 42:41, Steve Price (M, 47)

Meridian Run winners, 2014 - 2017
DateDistanceMenWomenFinishers
26 April 201410K36:34, Roger Schmidt45:57, Laura McDermott
5K19:56, Aaron Taylor26:16, Liz Ruba
25 April 201510K45:12, Michael Kennett52:11, Mona Schortmann41
5K20:14, Duane Evans22:45, Sherez Mohamed78
23 April 201610K39:03, Paul Guyas55:09, Beth Connolly
5K18:54, Dan Bauer28:13, Tiffany Starke
22 April 201710K42:14, Zack Scharlepp46:56, Kate Chunka14
5K19:37, John Davis19:02, QuanDra Shanks25


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