Alec Munger repeats in a big way at Valdosta's Memorial Day 5K

In 2018, Alec Munger won Valdosta, Georgia's tenth annual Memorial Day 5K by a hundred meters. If the race had been on a standard track rather than the roads, the second runner would have been just coming off the final turn while Munger was on the opposite end of the homestretch, crossing the finish line. So that's a big lead, right?


Well, try 800 meters. Because on Monday morning, 27 May 2019, Munger returned to win the eleventh annual Memorial Day 5K in Valdosta by well over 800 meters, running 17:18. Remember that standard track? The Lowndes High sophomore cross-country runner would have lapped the entire field twice. Kelly Lunceford of Valdosta won the women's division by 250 meters in the same race, which is a huge margin even if you compare it to Alec Munger's. Lunceford came in eighth overall in 22:31.


Quitman, Georgia athlete Chad Northcutt took second in the 5K, running 20:59. For the second year in a row, Lowndes High cross-country coach Rick Mazurkiewicz was the top master runner, third overall in 21:07. Just behind Mazurkiewicz, Tallahassee master runner Michael Kennett edged fourteen-year-old Aaron Munger for fourth, 21:20 to 21:22.


Tracey Cole of Pinetta, Florida was the first woman master and second female finisher, placing twelfth overall in 23:44. Valdosta's Jamie Brown placed third in the women's standings and nineteenth overall in 25:39.


2019 was the second year that the Valdosta Real Estate Memorial Day 5K was sponsored by United Country Real Estate and directed by Rob McGhin. 91 athletes finished the race.


Top Ten Men, 2019 Valdosta Real Estate Memorial Day 5K

1. 17:17:8, Alec Munger (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
2. 20:58:3, Chad Northcutt (M, 34) Quitman, GA
3. 21:06:5, Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 52) Valdosta, GA
4. 21:19:1, Michael Kennett (M, 45) Tallahassee, FL
5. 21:21:7, Aaron Munger (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
6. 21:40:2, Blake Jaramillo (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
7. 21:50:2, William Carter (M, 54) Perry, FL
8. 23:01:9, Gage Stenact (M, 15) Hahira, GA
9. 23:07:1, Phil Wynn (M, 35) Valdosta, GA
10. 23:37:4, Connor Lites (M, 14) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, 2019 Valdosta Real Estate Memorial Day 5K

1. 22:30:7, Kelly Lunceford (F, 29) Valdosta, GA
2. 23:43:3, Tracey Cole (F, 40) Pinetta, FL
3. 25:38:3, Jamie Brown (F, 35) Valdosta, GA
4. 25:49:5, Tanijz Turno (F, 18) Lake Park, GA
5. 26:12:8, Addie Gregory (F, 11) Quitman, GA
6. 27:14:3, Maggie Gregory (F, 15) Quitman, GA
7. 27:42:0, Kyleigh Leisey (F, 15) Hahira, GA
8. 27:51:5, Victoria Garcia (F, 14) Valdosta, GA
9. 28:14:8, Selena Curfman (F, 14) Hahira, GA
10. 28:24:7, Linda Smidt (F, 55) Naylor, GA

Valdosta Memorial Day 5K Champions, 2009 - 2019
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
25 May 2009	16:34, Chris Rice	20:47, Ashley McGee	86
31 May 2010	16:50, Chris Rice	21:38, Jordan Helton	79
30 May 2011	17:10, Chris Rice	21:06, Alice Smoot	102
28 May 2012	18:33, Masked Avenger	21:38, Alison Peters	53
27 May 2013	18:05, Ryan Kelly	23:21, Debbie Green	87
26 May 2014	17:26, Dylan Rogers	22:01, Makenzee Page	92
25 May 2015	17:54, Ryan Kelly	22:44, Debbie Green	73
30 May 2016	18:05, Matthew Baun	22:25, Debbie Green	99
29 May 2017	17:31, Andrew Elam	20:23, Rebecca Chandler	136
28 May 2018	18:11, Alec Munger	21:51, Sandra Griffin	83
28 May 2018	17:18, Alec Munger	22:31, Kelly Lunceford	97

Links

• Complete results of the 2019 Valdosta Real Estate Memorial Day 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTqLetfIrd3XbIWK9UhWyYhiIGbBrQCJUyfWP8bu6xK3vmkK9aiS_KyVREPWKwduZCJccdzYOb6YVlt/pubhtml
  
  
• 2018 story, “Munger and Griffin each make a happy return to Valdosta's Memorial Day 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2018/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2018.html
  
  
• 2017 story, “Elam, Chandler race to victory in Valdosta on Memorial Day”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2017.html
  
  
• 2016 story, “Baun and Green are swift in the streets on Memorial Day”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2016/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2016.html
  
  
• 2015 story, “Kelly and Green deserve decoration at Valdosta's Memorial Day 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2015/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2015.html
  
  
• 2014 story, “Rogers and Page rule the roads in Valdosta on Memorial Day”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, “Kelly and Green lead the charge at Valdosta's Memorial Day 5K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/06/valdosta-memorial-day-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, “Avenger and Peters mark Memorial Day with wins”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, “Memorial Day three-peat for Rice in Valdosta”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, “Blazers Rice and Helton race to victory in Valdosta”
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/06/valdosta-memorial-day-5k-2010.html
  
  
• Upcoming races in Valdosta and other cities in the Trouble Afoot! region
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

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