Alec Munger and Kelly Lunceford take care of beeswax in Hahira

In 2017 a Berrien County High cross-country runner, Morgan Bolmer, won the Hahira, Georgia Honeybee 5K. In 2018 a Lowndes High harrier took a turn. LHS sophomore Alec Munger won the 3.1-mile race on Saturday morning, 6 October 2018, running 17:29. Kelly Lunceford of Valdosta, Georgia was the first woman in the race, placing fifteenth overall in 20:51.


Sometimes success comes through specialization. Jefferson County, Florida didn't build an agricultural empire by growing watermelon, but by producing watermelon seeds. Likewise, Gadsden County, Florida achieved greatness not by simply producing tobacco, but by growing shade tobacco, a variety specifically used for the outer wrapper of cigars. Hahira, Georgia didn't just produce honey or honey bees, the Lowndes County village made its mark through raising queen bees.


As well as these endeavors served their communities, the industries are all gone now. But Monticello, Florida still has an annual Melon Run 5K as a reminder of the great days of watermelon seed production. Hahira still has a Honeybee 5K. Quincy, Florida, however, doesn't even have a Tobacco Trot or a Stogie Run.


Munger's 17:29 wasn't a Honeybee 5K record, but it was the fastest time at the race since 2010, when Scott Gardner won the race in 16:46. Ryan Kelly, a three-time winner of the Honeybee 5K and the cross-country coach at Valdosta High, took second in the race, running 18:08. Gene Davis of Hahira placed third in 18:20. Valdosta's Rick Mazurkiewicz was the fastest master runner in the Honeybee 5K, coming in eleventh overall in 20:25.


Daun Carauna, a junior on the Lowndes High cross-country team, was second in the women's standings and 38th overall in 23:11. Martha Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta was the first woman master and third female finisher, 43rd overall in 23:23.


220 athletes finished the 2018 Honeybee 5K. A Course/Line, LLC, of Valdosta, Georgia timed the race and provided finish line services.


Top Ten Men, 2018 Hahira Honeybee 5K

1. 17:28.2, Alec Munger (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
2. 18:08.0, Ryan Kelly (M, 39) Lake Park, GA
3. 18:19.6, Gene Davis (M, 34) Hahira, GA
4. 19:19.0, Caleb Starling (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
5. 19:24.9, Andrew Caruana (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
6. 19:30.8, Gabriel Ponce (M, 18) Adel, GA
7. 19:44.4, Daniel Carver (M, 34) Hahira, GA
8. 19:58.2, Brandon Vigil (M, 34) Valdosta, GA
9. 20:15.2, Sam Trimble (M, 16) Lake Park, GA
10. 20:19.2, Austin Bruhl (M, 15) Hahira, GA

Top Ten Women, 2018 Hahira Honeybee 5K

1. 20:51.0, Kelly Lunceford (F, 29) Valdosta, GA
2. 23:10.3, Daun Caruana (F, 16) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:22.3, Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 51) Valdosta, GA
4. 23:35.2, Alexandra Sayre (F, 16) Valdosta, GA
5. 23:37.7, Meshea Hardena (F, 29) ,
6. 24:11.5, Brandy Van Jura (F, 39) Hahira, GA
7. 24:25.1, Kiley Matheson (F, 15) Valdosta, GA
8. 24:28.0, Maryann Rowe (F, 16) Nashville, GA
9. 25:39.7, Madison Wagenaar (F, 15) Valdosta, GA
10. 25:43.1, Carragen Young (F, 16) Valdosta, GA

Known Honeybee 5K Champions, 2001 - 2018
Date	Men	Women
2 October 1999
6 October 2001	17:21, Rich Sumrall
4 October 2003	16:31, John Seppala	23:14, Amy Mark
2 October 2004	16:30, John Seppala	22:13, Sundonia Williams
8 October 2005	16:47, John Seppala	20:41, Susan Fischer
7 October 2006	16:54, John Seppala	20:43, Susan Fischer
6 October 2007	16:54, John Seppala	18:57, Jana Grygarova
4 October 2008	17:02, John Seppala	21:13, Heidi Gonzalez
3 October 2009	16:51, John Seppala	20:12, Ashley Powell
9 October 2010	16:46, Scott Gardner	20:08, Ashley Powell
8 October 2011	17:49, Masked Avenger	19:46, Mary Alice Smoot
6 October 2012	18:37, Ryan Kelly	21:52, Gretchen Bielmyer
5 October 2013	18:39, Ryan Kelly	22:27, Debbie Allen
4 October 2014	19:26, Nick Rosatti	19:51, Mary Alice Smoot
3 October 2015	18:16, Ryan Kelly	22:44, Katie Lancaster
1 October 2016	19:14, David Burnett	21:42, Meredith Foskey
7 October 2017	18:58, Morgan Bolmer	20:43, Rebecca Chandler
6 October 2018	17:29, Alec Munger	20:51, Kelly Lunceford

Links

• Complete results of the 2018 Honeybee 5K, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTaeJuFwnD1WFmfiXpypx4cqwu32pIkML3wGN6e4BkibVr-SFZRXCDSUp9TwfbXQ0JfOohHzFVU9Msy/pubhtml
  
  
• 2017 story, “Berrien County's Bolmer and Chandler each taste sweet victory at the Honeybee 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/10/honeybee-2017.html
  
  
• 2015 story, “A honey of a run in Hahira for Kelly and Lancaster”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2015/10/honeybee-2015.html
  
  
• 2014 story, “Harriers Rosatti and Smoot win Hahira's Honeybee 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/10/honeybee-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, “Ryan Kelly and Debbie Allen are victors at Hahira's 2013 Honeybee 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/10/honeybee-2013.html
  
  
• 2011 story, “Avenger and Smoot lead the swarm at Honeybee 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/10/honeybee-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, “Gardner stings Seppala at Honeybee 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/10/honeybee-2010.html
  
  
• Find the next insect-themed race in the region on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

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