Ann Centner and Patrick Koon break records on Old Centerville Road

Cool air is good for long-distance running. We aren't talking liquid nitrogen temperatures or frostbite-risk conditions. Just a brisk day so that the athlete's body, a natural heat engine, can work most efficiently. But if you start a long run in the morning when the temperature is optimal, it will probably get warmer while you run. By the time you finish, it may be too hot. This is especially true in Tallahassee, Florida, which is notorious for huge temperature swings during spring and fall days.

Ann Centner

But on Saturday, 13 January 2024, the morning of the 47th annual Gulf Winds Track Club 30K (and it's 15K sister race), temperatures were not only in the 40s (Fahrenheit) at the start, but were still in 40s four hours later when the last runner crossed the line. The persistent coolth may not have helped, but it certainly didn't hurt Ann Centner, who turned a winning time of 1:59:49 for thirty kilometers--the only time a woman has ever covered the Old Centerville Road course in under two hours. Master runner Michael Tercyak was the first man in the race, placing third overall in 2:03:50. In the 15K, Leon High senior Patrick Koon posted a new course record of 47:55, winning the race for the second time in three years. Megan Noonan took the women's title in the shorter race, coming in thirteenth overall in 64:19.


Both races started at 8:00 AM from the Retreat at Bradley's Pond, north of Tallahassee in Felkel.Crawfordville, Florida's Michael Tercyak set the early pace for the 30K, leading the field to the end of the pavement and on to the clay portion of Old Centerville Road. Running together, Ann Centner and master runner Katie Sherron were never far behind. The duo caught up with Tercyak before the turn onto Sunny Hill Road, and the three athletes ran as a group to the halfway point, the turnaround on the out-and-back course.

Ann Centner and Katie Sherron

"With the colder weather and fresh legs I was able to keep it easy on the way out running 6:30-40 pace," said Centner. "Then at the turnaround I knew I had a lot left so dropped it down to 6:10."


She also dropped the competition, first Tercyak and then Sherron. With ten kilometers to go, Sherron turned onto Old Centerville Road just fifteen seconds after Centner, but Centner was moving away. After training for three marathons in 2023, it wasn't surprising that Centner felt strong all the way to the end of the 30K.


"My last couple miles were my fastest," said Centner.


Fast enough to put her across the finish line first in 1:59:49. Sherron was the first master runner in the the race, finishing runner-up in 2:02:13. Master runner Jenny Early was the third woman in the 30K, placing thirteenth overall in 2:29:28.

Michael Tercyak

Tercyak was the first man across the finish line, coming in third overall in 2:03.50. Bryan Gensits was runner-up to Tercyak in the men's standings, taking fourth overall in 2:07.22. A week earlier, Gensits had finished behind Tercyak in the Swamp Forest Trail 20-Miler. Tallahassee master runner Hong-Guo Yu was the third male finisher and fifth overall in 2:10:48.


Top Eight Women, 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K

1. 1:59:49, Ann Centner (F, 32) Tallahassee, FL
2. 2:02:13, Katie Sherron (F, 42) Tallahassee, FL
3. 2:29:28, Jenny Early (F, 40) Tallahassee, FL
4. 2:34:52, Filiz Aktan-Clark (F, 39) Tallahassee, FL
5. 2:44:52, Nikky Manausa (F, 42) Tallahassee, FL
6. 3:01:35, Signe Ulsamer (F, 46) Tallahassee, FL
7. 3:14:46, Susan Burkley (F, 46) Monticello, FL
8. 4:19:14, Shanetta Keel (F, 36) Tallahassee, FL

Top Ten Men, 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K

1. 2:03:50, Michael Tercyak (M, 40) Crawfordville, FL
2. 2:07:22, Bryan Gensits (M, 29) Albuquerque, NM
3. 2:10:48, Hong-Guo Yu (M, 55) Tallahassee, FL
4. 2:12:13, Daniel Korecky (M, 39) Tallahassee, FL
5. 2:14:32, Edward Nabong (M, 33) Tallahassee, FL
6. 2:16:33, Don Autore (M, 48) Tallahassee, FL
7. 2:19:09, Thomas Howell (M, 27) Hosford, FL
8. 2:21:26, Will Hanley (M, 49) Tallahassee, FL
9. 2:21:58, Andrew Bascom (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
10. 2:24:33, Jake Gelnovatch (M, 26) Tallahassee, FL

When the Gulf Winds Track Club 30K moved to Old Centerville Road in 2006, the 15K was added to the program. The following year, Leon High frosh Matt Mizereck won the 15K. Mizereck went on to win three high school cross-country state titles, and running the 15K became a January tradition for Leon cross-country runners. Patrick Koon continued that tradition, placing second in the race in 2021 and winning with a 48:42 in 2022, breaking a course record set by Leon's Sukhi Khosla in 2015. Koon missed the race in 2023 and Chris Haynes broke his record, running 47:59.

Patrick Koon

Was Koon looking to regain the record in 2023? He certainly ran like it. Two steps off the starting line, Koon was already leading. He had left the field well behind at two kilometers, but he didn't look back to check on the competition--he looked down to check his watch. Koon hit the turnaround in close to 24 minutes, almost a kilometer ahead of the field. But he didn't coast on the return trip to Bradley's Pond. If anything, he ran a bit faster, lengthening his lead while completing the course in 47:55, the new course record.


Will Winsor, a senior on the Leon High cross-country team, took second in 53:57. Another Leon senior, Quinn Carrasquilla, was third in 54:51. Leonardo Canete was the first master runner in the 15K, placing fourth overall in 55:29.

Megan Noonan

Megan Noonan reached the turnaround more than two minutes before anyone else in the women's field of the 15K, and she doubled that lead on the return trip, taking the women's title in 64:19. Also during the second half of the 15K, master runner and triathlete Stephanie Liles-Weyant overtook Alexis Mayfield and Madi Sims, grabbing the second women's spot and placing 23rd overall in 69:03. Mayfield, an eighth-grader on the Swift Creek Middle School cross-country team, edged Sims for third in the women's standings, 69:41 to 69:43. Mayfield and Sims were 26th and 27th overall. Sims is a junior on the Leon High cross-country team.


25 athletes finished the 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K, and another 141 completed the 15K event. Gulf Winds Track Club chip-timed the races.


Top Ten Men, 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 15K

1. 47:55, Patrick Koon (M, 19) Tallahassee, FL
2. 53:57, Will Winsor (M, 17) Tallahassee, FL
3. 54:51, Quinn Carrasquilla (M, 18) Tallahassee, FL
4. 55:29, Leonardo Canete (M, 45) Tallahassee, FL
5. 57:36, Walt Haber (M, 18) Tallahassee, FL
6. 59:50, Ethan Cole (M, 21) Tallahassee, FL
7. 60:10, Trent Parsons (M, 14) Tallahassee, FL
8. 60:11, Mark Moore (M, 15) Tallahassee, FL
9. 61:45, Gregory Noonan (M, 41) Tallahassee, FL
10. 62:52, Charlie Wilson (M, 16) Monticello, FL

Top Ten Women, 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 15K

1. 64:19, Megan Noonan (F, 39) Tallahassee, FL
2. 69:03, Stephanie Liles-Weyant (F, 51) Tallahassee, FL
3. 69:41, Alexis Mayfield (F, 12) Tallahassee, FL
4. 69:43, Madi Sims (F, 16) Tallahassee, FL
5. 70:32, Shayna Arrigo (F, 23) Tallahassee, FL
6. 73:31, Laura Reina (F, 59) Tallahassee, FL
7. 73:32, Anna Grace Lewis (F, 25) Tallahassee, FL
8. 74:57, Ruffian Tyner (F, 48) Tallahassee, FL
9. 75:58, Sarah Lester (F, 48) Tallahassee, FL
10. 76:11, Kory Skrob (F, 53) Tallahassee, FL

Gulf Winds Track Club 30K champions, 1978 - 2024
Dates	Race	Men	Women	Finishers
13 January 2024	30K	2:03:50, Michael Tercyak	1:59:49, Ann Centner	25
	15K	47:55, Patrick Koon	64:19, Megan Noonan	141
14 January 2023	30K	2:00:29, Leonardo Canete	2:32:52, Melanie Leitman	38
	15K	47:59, Christopher Haynes	65:02, Elyse Gallegos	114
15 January 2022	30K	1:53:03, Chris O'Kelley	2:05:54, Katie Sherron	35
	15K	48:42, Patrick Koon	63:14, Lillee Tang	117
16 January 2021	30K	2:03:29, Michael Nesius	2:13:40, Katie Sherron	40
	15K	51:15, Jake Rogers	61:53, Laura Dibella	86
18 January 2020	30K	1:56:45, Chris O'Kelley	2:28:05, Jamila Allen	66
	15K	51:21, Caleb Carmichael	63:08, Laura Dibella	140
19 January 2019	30K	1:46:53, Austin Whitelaw	2:33:55, Lourena Maxwell	59
	15K	56:27, Jackson Yarbrough	60:09, Ann Centner	191
20 January 2018	30K	1:43:01, Christopher Haynes	2:10:13, Katie Sherron	81
	15K	57:39, Tate Wallenfelsz	66:08, Megan Churchill	185
14 January 2017	30K	1:46:13, Stan Linton	2:15:31, Katie Sherron	56
	15K	54:46, Matthew Cashin	65:27, Sheryl Rosen	219
16 January 2016	30K	1:54:12, Charlie Johnson	2:16:21, Katie Sherron	73
	15K	52:17, Matt Mizereck	60:54, Adriana Piekarewicz	192
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	59
15 December 2001	30K	2:09:43, Tom Ratliffe	2:22:56, Carrie Weyant	31
3 February 2001	30K	2:00:29, Kevin Porter	2:02:27, Jane Johnson	43
5 February 2000	30K	1:57:47, Garth Grumme	1:53:04, Anne Van Schuppen	77
6 February 1999	30K	1:58:17, Doug Gorton	2:11:20, Jane Johnson	87
10 January 1998	30K	1:57:45, Clarence Calloway	2:04:34, Jane Johnson	79
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	50
14 January 1995	30K	1:49:45, Herb Wills	2:22:18, Nancy Stuparich	50
22 January 1994	30K	1:43:50, Herb Wills	2:07:27, Lisa Herman	51
16 January 1993	30K	1:43:54, Herb Wills	2:12:42, Carrie Hunnicutt	60
4 January 1992	30K	1:46:36, Jessie Close	2:13:46, Lynda Nilges	79
12 January 1991	30K	1:37:31, David Keen	2:06:03, Paula Johnson	92
13 January 1990	30K	1:43:57, Herb Wills	2:12:00, Paula Johnson	87
14 January 1989	30K	1:45:31, Jessie Close	2:22:07, Mary Jean Yon	98
16 January 1988	30K	1:45:24, Tom Burr	2:10:04, Mae Cleveland	102
10 January 1987	30K	1:44:45, Larry Greene	2:11:59, Karen Macharg	82
18 January 1986	30K	1:38:54, Herb Wills	2:10:48, Missy James	92
14 January 1985	30K	1:45:10, Herb Wills	2:17:56, Mae Cleveland	94
14 January 1984	30K	1:43:32, Noel Shumann	2:04:20, Barbara Balzer	99
15 January 1983	30K	1:48:18, Andrew Wills	2:18:18, Christy Orthman	100
16 January 1982	30K	1:44:41, Rick Miller	1:56:57, Laura Ledbetter	74
1981	30K
12 January 1980	30K	1:51:19, Steve Ray	2:48:31, Robyn Anderson	70
3 February 1979	30K	1:42:13, Ken Misner	2:12:44, Lynda Heimann	124
11 March 1978	30K	1:46:19, Tim Simpkins	2:22:31, Donna Glotzbach	25
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 2024 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 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K and 15K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ_8_e2QCEQU5P7swPtbbytl7XzCiHfBUZrkxEEOj_gE9Ti9bQDBMA2uc0_h0qChGTS43QFbki5sIfB/pubhtml
  
  
• More Trouble Afoot! photos of the 2024 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K and 15K
  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10121680782894133
  
  
• 2021 story, “Michael Nesius and Katie Sherron get cold-weather wins at the GWTC 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/01/gwtc-30k-2021.html
  
  
• 2020 story, “Chris O'Kelley and Jamila Allen are the newest champs on Old Centerville Road”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2020/01/gwtc-30k-2020.html
  
  
• 2019 story, “Austin Whitelaw and Lourena Maxwell were the new champions on Old Centerville at the GWTC 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2019/01/gwtc-30k-2019.html
  
  
• 2018 story, “Chris Haynes runs a CR 1:43:01 in the Gulf Winds Track Club 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2018/01/gwtc-30k-2018.html
  
  
• 2017 story, “Fast times on a sloppy road for Linton and Sherron at the GWTC 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/01/gwtc-30k-2017.html
  
  
• 2016 story, “Charlie Johnson outlasts Roger Schmidt in the long run at the GWTC 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2016/01/gwtc-30k-2016.html
  
  
• 2015 story, “Kaiser wins the GWTC 30K while Khosla and Rosen tumble records in the 15K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2015/01/gwtc-30k-2015.html
  
  
• 2014 story, “Tough mudders Molosky and McDermott win a messy GWTC 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/01/gwtc-30k-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, “A no-excuse 30K for Linton and Showman”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/gwtc-30k-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, “Johnson and Showman roll through the Red Hills in the GWTC 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/01/gwtc-30k-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, “Molosky and Griffis run top 30K times on timeless Old Centerville Road”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/01/gwtc-30k-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, “Molosky and Rosen defend titles at a muddy 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/01/molosky-and-rosen-defend-titles-at.html
  
  
• 2009 story, “2009 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K / 15K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-gulf-winds-track-club-30k-15k.html
  
  
• 2008 story, “2008 Gulf Winds Track Club 30K”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2008/01/2008-gulf-winds-track-club-30k.html
  
  
• USATF course certification map FL16079TY for the Gulf Winds Track Club 30K
  https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=FL16079TY
  
  
• USATF course certification map FL16080TY for the Gulf Winds Track Club 15K
  https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=l&id=FL16080TY
  
  
• Find upcoming races, long and short, in the Tallahassee region
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

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