A tale of three Parkruns

In the Tallahassee, Florida region, April and October are the busiest months for road racing. July is probably the low point of the year. Maybe it's the weather, but other than Independence Day racing, you aren't going to see many opportunities to compete. Saturday, 30 July 2022 was typical, with Valdosta, Georgia's third annual Super Dad 5K the only race within 100 miles of Florida's Capital City. If you were willing to travel a little farther, though, there were three Florida Parkruns that day--in Gainesville, Clermont, and Pensacola.


Parkruns are weekly, community-based races, usually (if not always) five kilometers long. The events are free and supported by volunteers. Don't expect swag. I doubt there's insurance. But Parkruns are timed, and obsessive about recording those times. Athletes can track their progress because the Parkrun courses don't change. If you want to race but your wallet is a bit light, a Parkrun may be what you're looking for--especially if you already have a drawer full of finisher medals and a closet bulging with event T-shirts.


In Gainesville, the Parkrun venue is a five-kilometer loop on paved trail in Depot Park, about 150 miles from Tallahassee. The 30 July 2022 race was the 138th Parkrun on the course. John Black won the race by just over 100 meters, running 22:38. Brynn Baker was the first female finisher, placing eighth overall in 27:47--her best time yet in the Depot Park event. Gainesville Parkruns are Saturdays at 7:30 AM ET.


In Clermont, the Parkrun is also every Saturday morning at 7:30 AM ET. The Clermont course is out-and-back along Lake Minneola on the paved South Lake Trail. The 5K is USATF-certified (FL15121EBM), and Ani Veltcheva set a single-age world record for twelve-year-old girls there at Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #173, running 17:17. Veltcheva's time equalled the women's course record, set by Kate Bazely the previous year at Parkrun #124. That record still stands. Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #389 was Saturday morning, 30 July 2022, when Julio Rojas threw down a winning 17:00. It was his best time at Clermont and his 30th Clermont Parkrun--he was doing the race as a cross-country runner at Lake Minneola High and is still doing the race as a harrier for Lake Sumter College. Claire Reburn was the first female finisher, placing seventeenth overall in 21:16. An eighth-grader, Reburn runs cross-country for Foundation High. 129 athletes finished Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #389.


Andrew Imre won Parkrun #116 in Pensacola on Saturday morning, 30 July 2022, finishing just a few steps ahead of runner-up Caleb Carmichael. The two went 21:43 and 21:46. Kimberly Stewart was the first woman in the race, placing fiftteenth overall in 28:01. 89 athletes finished the race, somewhat above average for this particular Parkrun. The five-kilometer course is on the University of West Florida's Rec Plex North, touring one-and-a-half loops of grass and trail--a cross-country experience.


All threee of these races will be back at their venues on Saturday morning, 6 August 2022, and each Saturday after that. If you're in the neighborhood and want to run, register online, then print out your bar code and take it to the race. You won't get a trophy, a shirt, a medal, or even a race bib. You will get a run and a time.

Top Parkrun Performers, 30 July 2022
Top Ten Men
Place	Depot Park Parkrun #138 Gainesville, FL	Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #389 Clermont, FL	Rec Plex North Parkrun #116 Pensacola, FL
1	22:38, John Black (VM 35-39)	17:00, Julio Rojas (SM 18-19)	21:43, Andrew Imre (JM 15-17)
2	24:14, Patrick Musgrave (SM 30-34)	17:07, Jeremy Arguelles (VM 40-44)	21:46, Caleb Carmichael (VM 35-39)
3	24:32, Trevin Houk (VM 50-54)	17:14, Matt Wilder (VM 35-39)	21:54, Casey Delong (SM 20-24)
4	24:41, Andrew Nicholas Wilson (VM 45-49)	17:52, Matthew Raucci (JM 15-17)	23:39, James Johnson (VM 40-44)
5	25:34, Andrew Rainey (SM 25-29)	18:34, Anthony Aseere (VM 45-49)	24:46, Tyler Doll (JM 15-17)
6	26:44, Jeff Bunkin (VM 55-59)	18:59, Connor Carroll (JM 15-17)	24:56, Justin Briggs (VM 35-39)
7	27:29, Rahul Razdan (VM 55-59)	19:15, Justin Macenhill (VM 50-54)	25:27, Noah Imre (SM 18-19)
8	28:23, Zhida Zheng (VM 40-44)	19:17, Benjamin Kazel (SM 18-19)	25:30, Donovan Carmichael (JM 11-14)
9	29:01, Casey Williams (SM 20-24)	19:23, Guy Whitby-Smith (VM 40-44)	26:07, Mark Casson (VM 50-54)
10	29:19, David Voelker (JM 11-14)	19:31, Sebastian Tideswell (SM 18-19)	26:23, Dickie Rackley (VM 50-54)
Top Ten Women
Place	Depot Park Parkrun #138 Gainesville, FL	Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #389 Clermont, FL	Rec Plex North Parkrun #116 Pensacola, FL
1	27:47, Brynn Baker (JW 11-14)	21:16, Claire Reburn (JW 11-14)	28:01, Kimberly Stewart (VW 35-39)
2	28:32, Alexis Gushiken (SW 30-34)	21:35, Breanna Peine (JW 15-17)	28:01, Avery Briggs (VW 35-39)
3	28:39, Alison Ivey (VW 40-44)	22:00, Fiona Tideswell (VW 45-49)	31:09, Heather Tucker (VW 45-49)
4	29:07, Dari Smith (VW 60-64)	22:49, Sarah Raucci (JW 15-17)	31:40, Claire McNeill (JW 15-17)
5	29:12, Kaitlin Sovich (SW 30-34)	22:59, Anne McFarlane (VW 60-64)	31:46, Allison Miller (VW 45-49)
6	29:50, Du Meyer (VW 45-49)	23:01, Madison McCormack (JW 15-17)	32:16, Cyprienne Gryskiewicz (VW 40-44)
7	29:57, Maria Baroco (SW 20-24)	23:31, Alana-Savannah Drage (JW 10)	33:53, Sheila Owens (VW 55-59)
8	30:01, Sarafina Musto (SW 25-29)	23:47, Heather Barackman (VW 45-49)	34:04, Melissa Kanet (VW 35-39)
9	30:02, Leanne Dietrich (JW 11-14)	24:34, Theresa Castellano (SW 30-34)	34:48, Laura Baltazar (VW 35-39)
10	30:04, Larett Dietrich (VW 40-44)	24:51, Maria Robinson (VW 50-54)	37:14, Catherine Suriano (VW 55-59)

Links

• Three Florida Parkruns
  • Clermont: https://www.parkrun.us/clermontwaterfront/
  • Gainesville: https://www.parkrun.us/depotpark/
  • Pensacola: https://www.parkrun.us/recplexnorth/


• “Schoolgirl Ani Veltcheva cranks a 17:17 5K in Clermont”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/03/clermont-parkrun-2017-03-18.html
  
  
• If there's a Parkrun in the Tallahassee region, you'll find it on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#2867

Lake-Sumter State College Lakehawks considering a run at cross-country

You may see some Lakehawks from Lake-Sumter State College racing in the fields and trails during the 2018 cross-country season. The school is moving toward adding the sport this year. The Lakehawk Athletic Department writes:

“Lake-Sumter State College is looking to add both men's and women's cross country teams in the fall of 2018.
“Lake-Sumter State College is soliciting support for the addition of Men's and Women's Cross Country to be fielded at the South Lake Campus in Clermont, FL.”

Although the Lakehawks would like to take the field during 2018, their participation is contingent on coming up with $40,000 to start a program. This is different from Daytona State College, Florida Gateway College, and Seminole State College, each of which are definitely committed to start competing in 2018. Chipola College, Florida State College, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, and Tallahassee Community College fielded cross-country teams during the 2017 season.


A Lake-Sumter men's team would be especially interesting, because it would be the bring the total number of NJCAA men's teams up to four--the minimum needed for a sanctioned state championship in cross-country. Tallahassee Community College started a men's program during the 2017 season, and the Daytona State men and Seminole State men plan to join them in 2018.


Florida's junior college women already held a NJCAA Region 8 Cross-Country Championship in 2016, with Chipola College, Pasco-Hernando State College, South Florida State College, and Tallahassee Community College competing west of Tallahassee at Apalachee Regional Park. Florida State College-Jacksonville joined the field at the 2017 championship. Florida Gateway College, Seminole State College, and Daytona State College have plans to race in 2018, making eight teams. Lake-Sumter would swell the field to nine.


Here's hoping that Central Florida running clubs and distance running fans will come up with the funds to launch a Lake-Sumter State College cross-country program!


Links

• LakeHawkSports.com, “LSSC Looking to Add Cross Country”
  http://lakehawksports.com/general/2017-18/releases/20180307fbiaj8
  
  
• “Daily Commercial, 16 March 2018 'Lake-Sumter State College adding cross country programs'”
  http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/20180316/lake-sumter-state-college-adding-cross-country-programs
  
  
• “Seminole State College athletics is adding cross-country”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2018/02/seminole-state-college-xc.html
  
  
• “Daytona State will join Florida's cross-country resurgence in 2018”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/06/dsc-adds-xc.html
  
  
• “Florida Gateway College has a future in cross-country”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/06/fgc-adds-wxc.html
  
  
• “Florida State College at Jacksonville restores women's cross-country”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/06/fscj-adds-wxc.html
  
  
• “The TCC Eagles will compete in men's cross-country in 2017”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2017/05/tcc-xc-men.html
  
  
• “Tallahassee Community College Lady Eagles cross country history starts 26 August 2016”
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2016/07/tcc-xc-schedule-2016.html
  
  
• Find upcoming races in the Tallahassee region on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#2222

Schoolgirl Ani Veltcheva cranks a 17:17 5K in Clermont

18 March 2017 was the 173rd Saturday since 27 April 2013 that there was a 5K parkrun on the South Lake Trail in Clermont, Florida. Dustin Ross edged master runner Richard Berry for the win that morning, 17:04 to 17:05. A few seconds later, Ani Veltcheva of Gainesville, Florida crossed the finish line third overall in 17:17. The Abraham Lincoln Middle School student had just set a new single-age world record for twelve-year-old girls.


The previous record was 17:32.4, set by Lauryn Heskin in Garden City, New York on 16 April 2016. Veltcheva had been taking aim at that mark for months. She first came close at the Matanzas 5K in Saint Augustine, Florida on 21 January 2017, running 17:44. Veltcheva followed that run with a 17:35 at the Run For The Cookies 5K in Tallahassee on 11 February 2017, a a 17:34 at the Five Points Of Life 5K in Gainesville on 25 February 2017, and a 17:35 at the Superhero 5K in Palm Coast on 4 March 2017. Consistent performances in the 17:30s seemed to indicate that she could go faster. But as the spring progressed, the Florida temperatures were rising, even as the deadline of Veltcheva's April birthday approached.


But with a little over a month to spare, Veltcheva ran 17:16.8 at the Clermont Waterfront Parkrun. The record was hers.

Ani Veltcheva

Just behind Veltcheva, master runner Bill Vanos finished third in the men's column and fourth overall in 17:18, a few steps ahead of Jake Rhyner (5th, 17:19). Master runner Yolimar Bolivar was the second woman in the race, placing fifteenth overall in 23:25. Master runner Anne McFarlane was third in the women's standings and sixteenth overall in 23:40. 68 athletes finished the race.


The Clermont Waterfront Parkrun course is certainly attractive to an athlete chasing a record. The USATF-certified 5K route follows the South Lake Trail along the shores of Lake Minneola. There are no discernible hills; the difference in elevation between the highest point on the course and lowest is less than three meters. There are two turnarounds during the race, but the rest of the course is innocent of corners, following the gentle curve of the lake shore. Athletes pursuing a world best or a personal best can race on the course any Saturday morning at 7:30 AM in one of the weekly Clermont Waterfront parkruns.


Top Ten Men, Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #173

1. 17:04, Dustin Ross (M, 25-29)
2. 17:05, Richard Berry (M, 40-44)
3. 17:18, Bill Vanos (M, 45-49)
4. 17:19, Jake Rhyner (M, 30-34)
5. 17:33, Benjamin Drew (M, 25-29)
6. 19:51, Colton Cardewell (M, 11-14)
7. 20:19, David Tisdale (M, 45-49)
8. 20:41, Jackson Babington (M, 11-14)
9. 21:12, Aiden Roeder (M, 10)
10. 21:21, Josh Castleman (M, 40-44)

Top Ten Women, Clermont Waterfront Parkrun #173

1. 17:17, Ani Veltcheva (F, 11-14)
2. 23:25, Yolimar Bolivar (F, 40-44)
3. 23:40, Anne McFarlane (F, 55-59)
4. 23:54, Claudena Coulter (F, 45-49)
5. 26:11, Sally Schade (F, 50-54)
6. 26:55, Alexis Hill (F, 15-17)
7. 27:59, Marcia Insley (F, 50-54)
8. 28:37, Camille Chenier (F, 50-54)
9. 28:48, Frances Post (F, 60-64)
10. 28:58, Carrie Roeder (F, 40-44)

Links

• Complete results of the Clermont Waterfront Parkrun 5K #173
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qqUBGA5Qt8RM2w0oBvL06AblVIdOJy3RVFMblMWtgjQ/pubhtml
  
  
• The Clermont Waterfront Parkrun
  http://www.parkrun.us/clermontwaterfront/
  
  
• USATF course certification map #FL15121EBM for the Clermont Waterfront Parkrun
  http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=FL15121EBM
  
  
• Single-age 5K world records as of 28 March 2017
  https://web.archive.org/web/20170329005349/http://www.arrs.net/SA_R5K.htm
  
  
• Find an upcoming event where you can assault a record using the Trouble Afoot! racing calendar
  https://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1926