On Saturday morning, 12 April 2025, right after Gulf Winds Track Club's 50th Palace Saloon 5K,
Stan Linton was throwing around the word "perfect" a lot.
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| Stan Linton |
"It was perfect conditions for the race," declared Linton. "And perfect weather to hang out after the race. You don't often get both of those."
"Record" was also on his lips.
"It was a record today for the most people and the nicest weather," said Linton. "I mean, if you can have a record for weather."
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| 14:34! |
The record foremost on Linton's mind, though, was the Palace Saloon 5K course record. After having that time in his crosshairs each of the seven times he ran the Palace, Linton got that record, winning the 2025 race in 14:34.
Katie Sherron was the first woman in the Palace, coming in tenth overall in 17:08.
Before the Palace, Linton was open about his goal of a fast time in the race. Sadio Fenner was among the Palace entries that Linton shared his plans with. A former University of Nebraska distance runner, Fenner was coming off an 8:56.73 steeplechase win at the Florida Relays a week earlier.
"He told me how fast he was going to go out," recalled Fenner. "I wanted no part of that."
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| Sadio Fenner |
So although Linton started the race with over 2,000 other athletes, he was all alone when he hit the mile mark in 4:40. Fenner, running second, was already about 150 meters back. Linton continued his solo pursuit of a record time. Conditions favored him on the second mile.
"There was a great tailwind on Dupree Street," said Linton.
He covered that second mile in 4:42. The third mile, though, opened with the only significant uphill on the course--the Jackson Bluff Road climb to the crest of Michelob Ridge. Once over the ridge, the course descended to the Budweiser Creek bridge, right before the finish line at the Palace Saloon. Linton used the downhill as best he could. His split for the third mile was 4:45, putting him over 14:00 for three miles. He didn't have much time left to cover the final meters.
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| Ryan Ziskinder |
"On the final hill, between the downhill and the slight tailwind I almost ran a personal best on the last 800 meters," said Linton.
Charging over the bridge, past the bar, and over the finish line, Linton crossed the timing pad in a winning 14:34. It was the fastest mark on the current course, and fastest on any USATF-certified Palace Saloon 5K course. It was also Linton's fastest 5K road time ever.
"It was almost better than my personal best for 5K on the track," said Linton.
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| Katie Sherron |
And it was Linton's sixth Palace win, more than any other athlete. The winningest runner at Palace before Linton was Rick Miller, who amassed five wins from 1982 to 1989.
Sadio Fenner took second in 15:35.
Ryan Ziskinder, the 2024 Palace champion, placed third in 16:11. It was Ziskinder's fourth straight year in the top three at Palace. Logan Haley, a frosh on the Suwannee High cross-country team, was fourth in 16:36.
Brent Moody the first master runner in the race, coming in seventh overall in 17:05--only just ahead of
Christian Minor (8th, 17:06) and master runner
Leonardo Canete (9th, 17:08).
Also clocked at 17:08 was the first woman in the race, master runner
Katie Sherron.
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| Erin Phelps |
"P.R. day!" exclaimed Sherron. "43 years old and my fastest ever 5K!"
Sherron got ahead of the rest of the women's field early and was never challenged for the lead after that, going on to win the women's title by almost 250 meters.
Erin Phelps, the 2025 Springtime 10K women's champ, was the second woman in the race, placing 28th overall in 18:01.
Madeline Frank was the third woman and 36th overall in 18:14. Laney Williams, a frosh distance runner on the Florida State University Track Club, was the fourth woman and 48th overall in 18:41. Another FSU Track Club member, Ella Raesly, edged
Acadia Hassell for fifth in the women's standings, 19:36 to 19:37. The two were 65th and 67th overall. Hassel is a cross-country runner at Montford Middle School.
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| Madeline Frank |
In 2012, shortly after moving to Tallahassee, Sherron discovered the Palace Saloon 5K. That year she ran her first Palace in 19:25, finishing as the fifth woman and 41st overall. She has come back to the race every year since, making thirteen in a row. During that streak she has only gotten swifter, notching three women's titles. What keeps Sherron coming back to the Palace?
"My kids like the race," said Sherron. "There's always bagels and good snacks."
Yes, it is true that a lot of people are drawn to the Palace each year for post-race...bagels.
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| Happy Palace Saloon 5K finishers |
2,150 athletes finished the 2025 Palace Saloon 5K, the most ever. Gulf Winds Track Club chip-timed the race.
Top Ten Men, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2025 Palace Saloon 5K
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14:34, Stan Linton (M, 31) Crawfordville, FL
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15:35, Sadio Fenner (M, 24) Colorado Springs, CO
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16:11, Ryan Ziskinder (M, 22) Palm City, FL
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16:36, Logan Haley (M, 15) Live Oak, FL
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16:59, Kyle Kraeft (M, 35) Tallahassee, FL
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17:01, Abel Adams (M, 15) Tallahassee, FL
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17:05, Brent Moody (M, 40) Tallahassee, FL
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17:06, Christian Minor (M, 38) Tallahassee, FL
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17:08, Leonardo Canete (M, 46) Tallahassee, FL
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17:12, Michael Avola (M, 20) Tallahassee, FL
Top Ten Women, Gulf Winds Track Club's 2025 Palace Saloon 5K
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17:08, Katie Sherron (F, 43) Tallahassee, FL
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18:01, Erin Phelps (F, 25) Tallahassee, FL
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18:14, Madeline Frank (F, 28) Tallahassee, FL
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18:41, Laney Williams (F, 18) Boca Raton, FL
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19:36, Ella Raesly (F, 18) Orlando, FL
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19:37, A. Hassell (F, 12) Tallahassee, FL
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19:41, Maggie Whisler (F, 19) Gainesville, FL
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19:46, Megan Noonan (F, 41) Tallahassee, FL
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19:57, Samantha Fish (F, 21) Tallahassee, FL
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20:11, Janellys Santana (F, 22) Tallahassee, FL
| Palace Saloon 5K Champions, 1975 - 2025 |
|---|
| Date | Men | Women | Finishers |
|---|
| 12 April 2025 | 14:34, Stan Linton | 17:08, Katie Sherron | 2150 |
| 20 April 2024 | 15:27, Ryan Ziskinder | 17:18, Ann Centner | 1254 |
| 15 April 2023 | 14:54, Stanley Linton | 17:08, Jennifer Lima | 878 |
| 23 April 2022 | 14:49, Stanley Linton | 17:39, Katie Sherron | 468 |
| 9 October 2021 | 14:45, Stanley Linton | 17:40, Katie Sherron | 284 |
| 13 April 2019 | 14:39, David Barney | 17:38, Ann Centner | 864 |
| 21 April 2018 | 15:15, Justin Garrard | 18:05, Ani Veltcheva | 815 |
| 15 April 2017 | 15:16, Stanley Linton | 17:58, Ani Veltcheva | 1043 |
| 16 April 2016 | 15:53, Nick Merrett | 18:13, Ani Veltcheva | 1048 |
| 11 April 2015 | 15:29, Tyler Udland | 17:54, Lauren Poulos | 1314 |
| 12 April 2014 | 15:52, Chris Lake | 17:45, Amy Hines | 1303 |
| 20 April 2013 | 15:46, Stanley Linton | 17:49, Sheryl Rosen | 1389 |
| 14 April 2012 | 16:07, Josh Myers | 17:20, Lindsay Zeiler | 1190 |
| 16 April 2011 | 15:48, Chris Lake | 18:24, Lindsay Zeiler | 1064 |
| 10 April 2010 | 15:45, Chris Lake | 17:42, Christina Woytalewicz | 1214 |
| 11 April 2009 | 16:21, John Robida | 18:11, Lisa Johnson | 1022 |
| 12 April 2008 | 15:25, Nick Sunseri | 18:46, Lisa Johnson | 782 |
| 14 April 2007 | 16:12, J. P. Cook | 17:14, Breeda Willis | 537 |
| 15 April 2006 | 16:04, Justin Cross | 18:33, Stephanie Liles | 456 |
| 16 April 2005 | 16:06, Lee Willis | 16:31, Breeda Willis | 318 |
| 10 April 2004 | 16:39, Shawn Patterson | 18:29, Breeda Willis | 299 |
| 12 April 2003 | 16:26, Martin Littlefield | 19:21, Tricia Snyder | 257 |
| 13 April 2002 | 17:22, Chris Stanley | 21:03, Allison Eagen | 189 |
| 14 April 2001 | 16:51, Art Remillard | 19:05, Kate Wallace | 219 |
| 15 April 2000 | 15:39, Paul Spangler | 17:19, Anna Pichrtova | 217 |
| 17 April 1999 | 15:45, Robert Pautienus | 17:22, Sarah Docter-Williams | 261 |
| 18 April 1998 | 16:18, Jason Carter | 17:29, Sarah Docter-Williams | 238 |
| 19 April 1997 | 15:53, Gary Droze | 17:37, Sarah Docter-Williams | 169 |
| 6 April 1996 | 15:55, Gary Droze | 17:59, Jane Johnson | 134 |
| 8 April 1995 | 16:01, Tim Simpkins | 17:48, Jane Johnson | 188 |
| 2 April 1994 | 14:56, Robin Rogers | 17:51, Lisa Herman | 252 |
| 3 April 1993 | 15:30, Andy Palmer | 19:37, Carrie Hunnicutt | 270 |
| 11 April 1992 | 15:48, Gary Droze | 17:45, Paula Johnson | ? |
| 13 April 1991 | 15:10, Gary Droze | 18:20, Vikki Saga | 371 |
| 14 April 1990 | 14:57, David Keen | 18:38, Vikki Saga | |
| 15 April 1989 | 15:23, Rick Miller | 19:05, Yvonne Gsteiger | |
| 9 April 1988 | 15:30, Rick Miller | 17:55, Karen MacHarg | |
| 11 April 1987 | 15:03, Jacob Hoesly | 17:33, Karen MacHarg | |
| 12 April 1986 | 14:36, Paul Waldron | 18:44, Paige Dempsey | |
| 9 March 1985 | 15:39, Rick Miller | 17:52, Margaret Coomber | |
| 18 February 1984 | 15:32, Greg Doss | 16:34, Kristy McDermott | |
| 16 April 1983 | 14:52, Rick Miller | 16:38, Darien Andreu | |
| 20 March 1982 | 14:48, Rick Miller | ????? | |
| 21 March 1981 | 15:02, Dennis Lunne | 18:16, Janice Gage | |
| 8 March 1980 | 14:59, George West | 19:37, Marty Graham | |
| 10 March 1979 | 14:55, Tom Herron | 17:37, Kathy Moore | |
| 25 February 1978 | 14:30, George West | 17:45, Laura Ledbetter | |
| 15 January 1977 | George West | ????? | |
| 14 August 1976 | 14:37, George West | 18:05, Janice Gage | |
| 15 November 1975 | 18:17, David Price | 19:56, Janice Gage | |
Multiple wins by men: Stan Linton (6), Rick Miller (5), George West (4), Gary Droze (4),
Chris Lake (3)
Multiple wins by women: Janice Gage (3), Sarah Docter-Williams (3), Breeda Willis (3),
Ani Veltcheva (3), Katie Sherron (3), Karen MacHarg (2), Vikki Saga (2),
Jane Johnson (2), Lisa Johnson (2), Lindsay Zeiler (2), Ann Centner (2)
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Links:
- Complete results of Gulf Winds Track Club's 2025 Palace Saloon 5K at gulfwinds.org
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vThYw4aY2bElKkQwbrfkKL9SHwQsMcpTSyaxIm2Lz_NAyJq-BOgggBc-ANlGq9sjvn_kWNdLrXvXPtZ/pubhtml
- More Trouble Afoot! photos of Gulf Winds Track Club's 2025 Palace Saloon 5K
- Trouble Afoot! coverage of Gulf Winds Track Club's Palace Saloon 5K, 2009 - 2024
- 2024 story, “Ryan Ziskinder and Ann Centner lead the way at the 49th Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2024/04/palace-2024.html
- 2023 story, “Seminole alums Stan Linton and Jennifer Lima reign at the Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2023/04/palace-2023.html
- 2022 story, “Stan Linton ran 14:49, Katie Sherron 17:39 to repeat at the Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2022/04/palace-2022.html
- 2021 story, “Stan Linton races 14:45, Katie Sherron 17:40 at the Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2021/10/palace-2021.html
- 2019 story, “David Barney and Ricardo Estremera rocket 14:39 at one of the fastest Palace Saloon 5K races ever”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2019/04/palace-2019.html
- 2018, “Justin Garrard flies to the Palace in 15:15, Ani Veltcheva in 18:05”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2018/04/palace-2018.html
- 2017, “Linton goes 15:16 and Veltcheva 17:58 at the Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/04/palace-2017.html
- 2016, “Merrett and Veltcheva come to town to take the Palace”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2016/04/palace-2016.html
- 2015, “Udland goes 15:29 and Poulos 17:54 for Palace Saloon 5K wins”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2015/04/palace-2015.html
- 2014, “Lake and Hines rule at the 40th annual Palace”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/04/palace-2014.html
- 2013, “Linton and Rosen lead a record crowd to the Palace Saloon”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/04/palace-2013.html
- 2012, “Myers, Zeiler win the Battle of Jackson Bluff at Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/04/palace-2012.html
- 2011, “Lake grabs his second Palace win, Zeiler her first”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/04/palace-2011.html
- 2010, “Lake, Woytalewicz run into Palace Saloon 5K history”
http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/04/2010-palace-saloon-5k.html
- 2009, “Robida outruns a thousand to win the Palace Saloon 5K”
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2009/04/robida-outruns-thousand-to-win-palace.html
- Seventeen years of champions at Gulf Winds Track Club's Palace Saloon 5K, 2007 - 2024
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2025/04/palace-winners-2007-2024.html
- 2024 Palace Saloon 5K USATF course certification map FL24006JK
https://www.certifiedroadraces.com/certificate/?type=m&id=3162
- A huge list of upcoming races, but none like the Palace Saloon 5K
https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
#3182
After hosting the annual Wine Run 5K from 2021 to 2024, Horse Creek Winery switched to a different race series for 2025--the Miles For Mimosas 5K, held at the Sparks, Georgia vineyard for the first time on Saturday morning, 12 April 2025. Adel, Georgia athlete Gary Rowan won the inaugural race, running 21:09. Tia O'Leary, also from Adel, was the first woman in the race, coming in fifth overall in 25:41.
37th annual Memorial Day Gate-to-Gate 4.4-Mile Run. 7:30 AM CT. Unity Park, Chinquain Drive and Eglin Boulevard, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. USATF certified 4.4-mile course #
Monticello Kiwanis' 46th annual Melon Run 5K. 8:15 AM ET. First United Methodist Church Family Ministry Center, 325 West Walnut Street, Monticello, Florida 32344. 2023 
50th annual Billy Bowlegs 5K Night Race. 7:30 AM CT. Fort Walton Beach High School, 400 Hollywood Blvd, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547. 2023 
26th annual Celebrate Freedom 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM CT 5K / 9:15 AM CT one mile. Jay's Bray-Hendricks City Park, 5259 Booker Lane, Jay, Florida 32565. 2023 story. 2022 
Amelia Island Firecracker 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Omni Amelia Island Resort at Racquet Park, 102 Racquet Park Drive, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034. Online registration at 
41st annual Bridge of Lions 5K. 7:30 AM ET. 
27th annual Gulf Winds Track Club Mile at the Breakfast On The Track. 7:45 AM ET. Maclay School track, 3737 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. 2024 
Hahira Honeybee Festival 5K. 8:00 AM ET. Hahira Community Center, 216 Randall Street, Hahira, Georgia 31632. 2023 
Gulf Winds Track Club's 46th annual Pine Run at Tall Timbers 20K. 7:30 AM ET. Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32312. 2024 
18th annual Rejoice Run 5K and Mom's Mile (formerly Joyce's Jog). 7:30 AM ET one mile / 8:00 AM ET 5K. Historic Donalsonville Fire Station, 220 South Woolfork Avenue, Donalsonville, Georgia 39845. 2024 
45th annual Boston Half-Marathon and 5K. 8:00 AM ET half marathon / 8:15 AM ET 5K. Commercial Bank, 124 West Jefferson Street, Boston, Georgia 31626. 2024 
13th annual BFD Catfish Crawl 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM CT. M and B Train Park, North Main Street and Railroad Avenue, Blountstown, Florida 32424. 2024 
Gulf Wind Track Club's 13th annual Tannenbaum Trail 6K Cross Country Run. 9:00 AM ET. 
37th annual Shamrock Scurry 5K and one-mile fun run. 8:00 AM ET one mile / 8:30AM ET 5K.
