Gibson and Sura first on the trails at the Purple Heart Run

Bainbridge State College is located on the edge of Bainbridge, Georgia, just west of the Twin Lakes. The town averages just over 50 inches of rainfall annually, but in 2014 over 60 inches fell. Twin Lakes didn't become triplets or quadruplets, but it became apparent that there were a lot of brothers and sisters in the family. Some of those ponds swelled to cover the trails around the college, the trails that have formed the course for Bainbridge State's Purple Heart Run since 2013. So on Saturday morning, 28 February 2015, both the 10K and the 5K at the third annual Purple Heart Run had new courses. New routes, though, were no problem for Myles Gibson, who won the 10K cross-country run in 44:57. Nor was it a problem for Julia Sura, who successfully defended her 2014 women's title in the 10K. Neither was it a problem in the 5K, where Dustin Reynolds won in 21:59 and Laura Reina ran 26:52 to finish first in the women's standings.


Both races started shortly after 9:00 AM, heading north on the grass along College Road. A cold drizzle started falling, working on Bainbridge's 2015 rainfall total. Not quite 800 meters into the race the runners reached a clearing under transmission lines where an "S"-shaped path had been roped off. Ridge Harper was the first 10K competitor to reach the power lines, followed by Donalsonville, Georgia, master runner Myles Gibson and David Welling. By the time they had left the transmission lines to head into the woods, Gibson had cut Harper's lead in half. The man from Donalsonville overtook Harper under the trees, and at the end of the first five-kilometer loop Gibson was nearly a minute ahead. Meanwhile, Welling had caught up with Harper. During the second time around the loop, Gibson extended his lead. Behind him, Welling and Harper were locked in a back-and-forth battle for second.


Gibson reached the finish line over three minutes ahead of the next runner in a winning 44:57. Welling surged away from Harper in the final 200 meters to take second, 48:03 to 48:21. Tallahassee master runner Philip Sura, the 2014 Purple Heart 10K winner, was fourth in 49:22.


"I ran the Tallahassee Marathon three weeks ago and this was the first time since then I've felt like racing again," said Gibson after the win. "I want to run a couple of 10K races in Tallahassee this spring. The Thomasville Road Baptist Church 10K and, of course, the Springtime 10K."


First-year Florida State University student Monica Reinhard, an alumna of the Palmer Trinity School cross-country team, led the women's field in the early going of the Purple Heart 10K. Before the end of the first loop, though, Julie Genovar had taken over the women's lead. Going into the second half of the race Genovar was 50 meters ahead of the next two women, Tallahassee runners Juanita Chalmers and Julia Sura. At the second pass under the power lines, Sura and Chalmers had caught up with Genovar. With less than four kilometers to go the top three women were just a meter or two apart.


"I felt good," said Sura about that point of the race. "I had my last sip of water, then I said, 'Goodbye, Juanita.' I could hear the other girl breathing hard."


The Tallahassee master runner broke away from Chalmers and Genovar then ran home in 58:38, the first woman and eighth finisher overall. Chalmers was the women's runner-up, 11th overall in 59:22. Genovar placed third in the women's standings, finishing 13th overall in 59:47. Reinhard was the fourth woman home, 15th overall in 60:04.


Top Ten Men, 2015 Purple Heart 10K

1. 44:57 ~ Myles Gibson (M, 48)
2. 48:03 ~ David Welling (M, 30)
3. 48:21 ~ Ridge Harper (M, 37)
4. 49:22 ~ Philip Sura (M, 44)
5. 53:38 ~ Mark Tombrink (M, 27)
6. 54:49 ~ Ettore Aldrovandi (M, 53)
7. 56:11 ~ Justin Williams (M, 37)
8. 58:44 ~ David Braswell (M, 43)
9. 59:17 ~ Paul Pickles (M, 48)
10. 59:24 ~ Mike Kennett (M, 44)

Top Ten Women, 2015 Purple Heart 10K

1. 58:38 ~ Julia Sura (F, 43)
2. 59:22 ~ Juanita Chalmers (F, 32)
3. 59:47 ~ Julie Genovar (F, 29)
4. 60:04 ~ Monica Reinhard (F, 18)
5. 63:02 ~ Melanie Knight (F, 33)
6. 63:33 ~ Sonya Dudley (F, 46)
7. 66:01 ~ Donica Williams (F, 35)
8. 68:14 ~ Suzanne Angell (F, 49)
9. 68:51 ~ Wendi Brew (F, 40)
10. 69:43 ~ Lauren Chambers (F, 18)

Seminole County High sophomore cross-country runner Dustin Reynolds led the Purple Heart 5K from the start, but JD Poole was never far behind. Going around the final turn, Reynolds glanced over his shoulder and saw that Poole was less than three seconds back. After that discovery Reynolds stepped on the gas and sprinted to the finish line, getting the win in 21:59. Poole was second in 22:09. Another Seminole County High cross-country runner, sophomore Lane Odom, was third in 25:07. Tallahassee master runner Laura Reina was the first woman in the race, coming in fifth overall in 26:52. Thomas County Central sixth-grader Anna James finished runner-up in the women's standings, placing seventh overall in 27:03.


The third annual Purple Heart Run was hosted by the Bainbridge State College chapter of the Student Veterans of America, with proceeds benefiting the Red Hills Wounded Warrior Group. 40 athletes finished the 10K cross-country run, and another 35 completed the 5K.


Top Ten Men, 2015 Purple Heart 5K

1. 21:59 ~ Dustin Reynolds (M, 16)
2. 22:09 ~ JD Poole (M, 20)
3. 25:07 ~ Lane Odom (M, 15)
4. 26:17 ~ John Bickley (M, 38)
5. 26:52 ~ Filippo Aldrovandi-Reina (M, 10)
6. 27:18 ~ Quong Pham (M, 16)
7. 27:24 ~ Bradley Harris (M, 18)
8. 28:47 ~ Morris Davis (M, 58)
9. 33:05 ~ Owen Earnest (M, 8)
10. 34:13 ~ Hal Earnest (M, 40)

Top Ten Women, 2015 Purple Heart 5K

1. 26:52 ~ Laura Reina (F, 50)
2. 27:03 ~ Anna James (F, 11)
3. 33:13 ~ Meghan McGowen (F, 26)
4. 33:46 ~ Melissa Richardson (F, 40)
5. 35:00 ~ Dawn Richardson (F, 38)
6. 37:32 ~ Carah Whittaker (F, 31)
7. 37:38 ~ Samantha Hager (F, 25)
8. 37:39 ~ Bree Maxwell (F, 27)
9. 38:45 ~ Hayley Bull (F, 26)
10. 41:09 ~ Brittany Web (F, 25)

Bainbridge State College Purple Heart 10K and 5K winners, 2013 - 2015
Date	Distance	Men	Women	Finishers
26 January 2013	5K	19:15, Caleb Harris	25:13, Julie Harris
15 March 2014	10K	39:32, Philip Sura	48:05, Julia Sura	17
	5K	18:19, Greg Waddell	23:34, Amy James	29
28 February 2015	10K	44:57, Myles Gibson	58:38, Julia Sura	40
	5K	21:59, Dustin Reynolds	26:52, Laura Reina	35

Links

• Complete results of the 2015 Purple Heart 5K and 10K at gulfwinds.org
  http://www.gulfwinds.org/raceresults/2015/Purple%20Heart%202015.asp
  
  
• More photos of the 2015 Purple Heart 5K and 10K
  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10105832403937603.1073742074.5215641&l=0da105fda8
  
  
• 2014 story, “Waddell and James claim titles at BSC's Purple Heart Run”
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/03/purple-heart-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, “Harris and Harris victorious at first Purple Heart 5K”
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/purple-heart-2013.html
  
  
• Upcoming races in Bainbridge and other cities within 100 miles of Tallahassee
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1326

Waddell and James claim titles at BSC's Purple Heart Run

On Saturday morning, 15 March 2014, Bainbridge master runner Greg Waddell was the class of the field in Bainbridge State College's second annual Purple Heart 5K, winning the 3.1-mile cross-country race in 18:19. Amy James was the first female finisher, placing seventh overall in 23:34. 29 athletes finished the race around the BSC campus on the east side of Bainbridge, Georgia.


The race started on the grassy strip between the college and College Road. Half a mile later, as the runners headed into the woods on the east side of campus, J. D. Poole was in the lead. Brandon Womble trailed in second, and Greg Waddell was running in third. Waddell passed Womble, then started to run down Poole. About midway through the race Waddell caught Poole, and then the second half of the race belonged to Waddell. Opening up a gap of nearly a minute, Waddell cruised home in a winning 18:19. Poole was second in 19:11, and Bainbridge High cross-country runner Perry Waddell was third in 20:01.


Amy James led the women's field almost from the very start of the race, and her lead only got longer as she ran. By the time James finished the race she was almost half a kilometer ahead of the next runner. James was first in the women's standings with a 23:34. The next female finisher was Bainbridge master runner Paula Grollman, eighth overall in 26:03. Another Bainbridge master runner, Suzanne Angell, was the third woman finisher, ninth overall in 27:14.


2014 Purple Heart 5K Results

1. 18:19 ~ Greg Waddell
2. 19:11 ~ J.D. Poole
3. 20:01 ~ Perry Waddell
4. 20:55 ~ John Bickley
5. 22:59 ~ Brandon Womble
6. 23:12 ~ Michael Raybon
7. 23:34 ~ Amy James
8. 26:03 ~ Paula Grollman
9. 27:14 ~ Suzanne Angell
10. 27:29 ~ Zenil Patel
11. 27:41 ~ Sherie Jones
12. 28:01 ~ Justin Artz
13. 28:30 ~ Tya Bass
14. 30:02 ~ James Artz
15. 30:09 ~ Jontouras Osborn
16. 31:21 ~ Jane Harrison
17. 31:58 ~ Trvin Handford
18. 32:47 ~ Ashley Faircloth
19. 32:51 ~ Dana Raybon
20. 33:25 ~ Susan Maxwell
21. 33:28 ~ Brandon Roberts
22. 34:45 ~ Kasin Taylor
23. 34:52 ~ Madison Kuamme
24. 36:54 ~ David Warr
25. 39:41 ~ Carol Heard
26. 39:44 ~ Melissa Artz
27. 46:02 ~ Paula Chamber
28. 46:16 ~ Susan Ralph
29. 46:16 ~ Jean Krier

New this year at the Purple Heart Run was a 10K race, twice around the campus trails instead of just one circuit. Tallahassee master runner Philip Sura won the inaugural 6.2-mile event, posting a 39:32. Another Tallahassee master, Arek Sarkissian, was second in 43:52. Bainbridge runner Robert Meredith took third in 46:12.


The Purple Heart 10K and 5K is hosted by the Bainbridge College chapter of the Student Veterans of America as a benefit for the Wounded Warrior Project.


2014 Purple Heart 10K Results

1. 39:32 ~ Philip Sura
2. 43:52 ~ Arek Sarkissian
3. 46:12 ~ Robert Meredith
4. 47:37 ~ Kyle Sill
5. 48:05 ~ Julia Sura
6. 48:55 ~ Mark Tombrink
7. 49:02 ~ Mike Burns
8. 52:58 ~ Unknown
9. 55:05 ~ Frank McLeod
10. 60:40 ~ April Brown
11. 61:27 ~ Anita King
12. 61:36 ~ Abby Glass
13. 64:26 ~ Donna Graham
14. 65:46 ~ Dan Bowser
15. 70:02 ~ Lisa Bailey
16. 70:36 ~ Jean Krier
17. 76:37 ~ Bonnie Warren

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Purple Heart 5K and 10K at gulfwinds.org
  http://www.gulfwinds.org/raceresults/2014/Purple%20Heart%202014.asp
  
  
• More photos of the 2014 Purple Heart 5K and 10K
  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10104319078244423.1073741965.5215641&l=e145d68bdf
  
  
• 2013 story, "Harris and Harris victorious at first Purple Heart 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/purple-heart-2013.html
  
  
• Upcoming races in Bainbridge and other cities within 100 miles of Tallahassee
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1105

Dueno and Henning defeat field to defeat cancer

On Saturday morning, 16 March 2013 Bainbridge State College chemistry professor Dr. Eric Dueno won the college's third annual Race Against Cancer 5K, covering the 3.1-mile cross-country loop in 24:32. Nearly three minutes after master runner Dueno finished his run around the BSC campus, runner-up and first female finisher Emily Henning crossed the line with a time of 27:27. Hieu Nguyen took third overall in 28:30, while Patty Hall was the first female master, placing fourth overall in 28:51.


26 athletes finished the trail run. Proceeds from the race went toward the BSC Relay For Life team's contribution to the American Cancer Society.


Results, 2013 Bainbridge State College Race Against Cancer 5K

1. 24:32 ~ Eric Dueno (M, 44)
2. 27:27 ~ Emily Henning (F, 27)
3. 28:30 ~ Hieu Nguyen (M, 19)
4. 28:51 ~ Patty Hall (F, 44)
5. 30:39 ~ Tony Cooper (M, 36)
6. 30:49 ~ Mary Jo Boutwell (F, 34)
7. 31:43 ~ Richard Carvajal (M, 41)
8. 31:51 ~ Suzanne Angell (F, 47)
9. 31:55 ~ Chip Hall (M, 45)
10. 35:27 ~ Emma Saimbayer (F, 19)
11. 36:19 ~ Brenda Clements (F, 41)
12. 36:42 ~ Tonya Riche (F, 35)
13. 39:24 ~ Mckayla Kirkland (F, 15)
14. 40:49 ~ Melanie Parker (F, 23)
15. 40:51 ~ Chris Cedolal (M, 26)
16. 41:40 ~ Kevin Angell (M, 49)
17. 41:44 ~ Aerin Kirkland (F, 19)
18. 43:16 ~ Bonnie Warren (F, 51)
19. 43:57 ~ Ann Marie Hall (F, 9)
20. 47:25 ~ Abby Hall (F, 7)
21. 47:26 ~ Aubrey Donalson (F, 10)
22. 47:45 ~ Stephanie Edmunds (F, 25)
23. 47:52 ~ Addalynn Kirkland (F, 5)
24. 48:04 ~ Rebecca Mcnair (F, 21)
25. 101:58 ~ Leslie Hitchcock (F, 46)
26. 161:51 ~ Amanda Gossett (F, 31)

Links

• 2011 story, "Waddell and Harrell trounce the trail runners at Bainbridge College"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/05/bainbridge-college-2011.html
  
  
• Find more races that benefit the fight against cancer on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1