A third win for Kelly and record run for Page at Run 4 Missions

For the fourth year in a row, the Baptist Campus Ministry of Valdosta State University continued to buck the trend of metric races in general and five kilometer road races in particular. Their expression of non-conformity came in the form of the fourth annual Run 4 Missions four miler, staged on the streets of Valdosta, Georgia, on Saturday morning, 24 January 2015. And for the third year in a row, Ryan Kelly of Lake Park, Georgia, showed his support for the BCM's departure from convention by winning the four-mile race.


Kelly's time in his "three-peat" win was 23:19, putting him over half a minute ahead of the 23:58 posted by the runner-up, Lowndes High senior Nathan Crews. Crews had also finished second to Kelly in the 2014 Run 4 Missions. Peter Akiti, runner-up in the 2013 Run 4 Missions, placed third in 25:16. Rick Mazurkiewicz had been in that 2013 race with Akiti, taking the top master spot. He was the top master again in 2015, placing fourth overall in 25:50.


Makenzee Page placed sixth overall in 26:48, finishing atop the women's standings and setting a new women's Run 4 Missions record of 26:48. Page's time was over a minute under the previous record of 28:10, set by Valdosta master runner Alice Smoot at the first Run 4 Missions in 2012. Smoot herself was in the 2015 race, part of a close three-way battle for the top woman's master spot among Smoot, Debbie Green, and Melanie Ellis. Ellis came out on top in that struggle, the second woman and 14th overall in 28:38. Green took the third woman's spot, finishing 15th overall in 28:43. Smoot was the fourth woman finisher, coming in 16th overall in 28:58.


116 athletes finished the fourth annual Run 4 Missions Four-Mile Run. Timing and finish line services were provided by A Course / Line, LLC of Valdosta, Georgia.


Top Ten Men, 2015 Run 4 Missions

1. 23:18.9 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 36) Lake Park, GA
2. 23:57.8 ~ Nathan Crews (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
3. 25:15.1 ~ Peter Akiti (M, 20) Valdosta, GA
4. 25:49.1 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
5. 26:46.9 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 19) Valdosta, GA
6. 26:57.5 ~ Randy Maples (M, 46) Valdosta, GA
7. 27:07.8 ~ Patrick Muller (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
8. 27:17.3 ~ Steve Plymale (M, 65) Valdosta, GA
9. 28:00.8 ~ Caleb Harlon (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
10. 28:02.2 ~ Garrett Stout (M, 21) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, 2015 Run 4 Missions

1. 26:47.3 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 15) Ray City, GA
2. 28:37.2 ~ Melanie Ellis (F, 41) Valdosta, GA
3. 28:42.5 ~ Debbie Green (F, 48) Valdosta, GA
4. 28:57.5 ~ Alice Smoot (F, 57) Valdosta, GA
5. 29:23.9 ~ Amrie Lissie (F, 18) Valdosta, GA
6. 31:02.1 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 47) Valdosta, GA
7. 32:15.7 ~ Nancy Elam (F, 51) Valdosta, GA
8. 32:31.0 ~ Lauren Bewley (F, 33) Valdosta, GA
9. 33:34.0 ~ Misty Watkins (F, 32) Valdosta, GA
10. 33:52.4 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 36) Lake Park, GA

Valdosta BCM Run 4 Mission champions, 2012-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
21 January 2012	22:50, Parker Childree	28:10, Alice Smoot	140
19 January 2013	23:48, Ryan Kelly	31:08, Audrey Williams	100
18 January 2014	23:32, Ryan Kelly	28:49, Mackenzie Morse	86
24 January 2015	23:19, Ryan Kelly	26:48, Makenzee Page	116

Links

• Complete results of the 2015 Run 4 Missions four-mile road race
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1FdyXD8W-tTHkXJQjsB8BwHnZQeq8jSAKhLqOTdkX1tg/pubhtml
  
  
• 2014 story, "Kelly and Morse take four"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/01/missions-2014.html
  
  
• 2013 story, "Mission accomplished for Ryan Kelly and Audrey Williams"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/missions-2013.html
  
  
• Find your next Valdosta road race on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1289

Another feather in the cap for Kelly and Page at Soaring Eagle 5K

At the 2015 Soaring Eagle 5K, defending champions and course record holders Ryan Kelly and Makenzee Page didn't run as fast as they had the previous year. They didn't have to. On Saturday morning, 17 January 2015, Kelly won the fourth annual race in the streets of Adel, Georgia, covering the 3.1 miles in 18:00. Makenzee Page finished on top of the women's standings for the second year in a row, finishing fifth overall in 20:55. 86 athletes finished the race hosted by the Adel Community Christian Academy.


Kelly especially did not have to run any faster than 18:00; he crossed the finish line more than 300 meters ahead of the next runner. Lowndes High sophomore cross-country runner Daniel Swilley took the runner-up spot, while another cross-country runner, Cook High junior Nick Rosatti, placed third, running 19:47. Valdosta's Rick Mazurkiewicz was the top master runner in the Soaring Eagle 5K, finishing fourth overall in 19:54.


The women's competition was closer up front, but Lowndes High frosh Makenzee Page still finished with a convincing 20:55 to 21:02 winner over women's runner-up Allison Thornhill. Page and Thornhill were fifth and sixth in the overall standings. The third woman finisher and first woman master was Martha Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta, 11th overall in 24:18.


Timing and finish line services for the fourth annual Soaring Eagle 5K were provided by A Course / Line, LLC of Valdosta, Georgia.


Top Ten Men, 2015 Soaring Eagle 5K

1. 17:59.9 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 36) Lake Park
2. 19:13.4 ~ Daniel Swilley (M, 16) Valdosta
3. 19:46.8 ~ Nick Rosatti (M, 18) Hahira
4. 19:53.4 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 47) Valdosta
5. 21:09.9 ~ Steve Plymale (M, 65) Valdosta
6. 22:47.9 ~ Russell Jones (M, 61) Valdosta
7. 22:58.0 ~ Rob McGhinn (M, 35) Valdosta
8. 23:01.8 ~ Billy Taylor (M, 66) Valdosta
9. 24:51.7 ~ Rodney Elam (M, 51) Valdosta
10. 25:25.3 ~ Kevin Langley (M, 44) Tifton

Top Ten Women, 2015 Soaring Eagle 5K

1. 20:54.1 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 15) Ray City
2. 21:01.1 ~ Allison Thornhill (F, 34) Valdosta
3. 24:17.9 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 47) Valdosta
4. 24:20.3 ~ Nancy Elam (F, 51) Valdosta
5. 26:30.4 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 36) Lake Park
6. 27:17.9 ~ Beth Ford (F, 46) Valdosta
7. 27:49.3 ~ Gina Purvis (F, 55) Tifton
8. 28:37.6 ~ Lexi Metts (F, 11) Hahira
9. 30:00.0 ~ Angela Pezent (F, 40) Adel
10. 33:14.8 ~ Heather Williams (F, 23) Valdosta

Soaring Eagle 5K champions, 2012 - 2015
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
14 January 2012	18:54, Masked Avenger	26:45, Kala Hobbs	51
26 January 2013	19:57, Sean McConnell	23:26, Erin Foote	46
25 January 2014	17:46, Ryan Kelly	20:30, Makenzee Page	61
17 January 2015	18:00, Ryan Kelly	20:55, Makenzee Page	86

Links

• Complete results of the 2015 Soaring Eagle 5K, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sw3KHEAmv5hGvxq-GtAiyrTPS0sD7LdtsTgWajDMSPE/pubhtml
  
  
• 2013 story, "Wingfooted McConnell and Foote win at Soaring Eagle"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/02/soaring-eagle-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "Avenger and Hobbs fly away with Soaring Eagle 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/01/soaring-eagle-2012.html
  
  
• Races dedicated to birds, mammals, insects, and reptiles on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1282

New year, new records for Elam and Page

“Ring out the old, ring in the new.” At the Valdosta, Georgia, New Year's Eve 5K on Wednesday evening, 31 December 2014, this meant ringing out the defending champion, Ryan Kelly, and ringing in a new winner, Lowndes High junior Andrew Elam. It meant ringing out the old course record of 17:58 for the two loops around Lowndes High and ringing in Andrew Elam's new record of 16:59. It also meant ringing in a lot of new runners, as six of the top seven athletes in the third annual event were high school harriers.


Joining Andrew Elam in the youth brigade was runner-up Dylan Rogers, another Lowndes High junior, who ran 17:04. A third Lowndes High junior, Chance Roe, placed third in 17:32. The wave of youngsters was interrupted by Valdosta High coach Ryan Kelly, who took fourth in 17:38. It was a brief interruption, though, as Lowndes High senior Nathan Crews followed in fifth at 18:33, Lowndes High junior Daniel Swilley placed sixth in 18:52, and Valdosta High frosh Quin McGlamery came in seventh at 19:55. Only after all those prep athletes had crossed the line did the first master runners appear--in eight and ninth place, race director Todd Smoot edged Rick Mazurkiewicz for the top master spot, 20:03 to 20:10.


There was a new course record of 20:52 to ring in on the women's side, but no new record holder and no new champion. Instead, 2013 winner Makenzee Page lowered her own record by more than a minute and a half while finishing on top of the New Year's Eve 5K women's standings for the second year in a row. Page placed tenth overall. Women's runner-up Melanie Ellis was the first woman master in the race, finishing 13th overall in 22:32.


69 athletes finished the third annual Valdosta, Georgia, New Year's Eve 5K.


Top Ten Men, Valdosta's 2014 New Year's Eve 5K

1. 16:58.1 ~ Andrew Elam (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
2. 17:03.4 ~ Dylan Rogers (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
3. 17:32.0 ~ Chance Roe (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
4. 17:37.7 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 36) Lake Park, GA
5. 18:32.6 ~ Nathan Crews (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
6. 18:51.5 ~ Daniel Swilley (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
7. 19:55.0 ~ Quin McGlamery (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
8. 20:02.5 ~ Todd Smoot (M, 52) Valdosta, GA
9. 20:09.1 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
10. 21:11.6 ~ Milo Mirate (M, 19) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, Valdosta's 2014 New Year's Eve 5K

1. 20:51.8 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 15) Ray City, GA
2. 22:31.5 ~ Melanie Ellis (F, 41) Valdosta, GA
3. 22:39.7 ~ Amber Elam (F, 25) Birmingham, AL
4. 22:50.2 ~ Debbie Green (F, 48) Valdosta, GA
5. 23:53.2 ~ Brandi Al-Taher (F, 38) Valdosta, GA
6. 24:18.1 ~ Melissa Roe (F, 36) Valdosta, GA
7. 24:31.9 ~ Destiny Roe (F, 15) Valdosta, GA
8. 24:53.6 ~ Joi Jones (F, 19) Valdosta, GA
9. 24:59.7 ~ Nancy Elam (F, 51) Valdosta, GA
10. 25:02.7 ~ Lauren Bewley (F, 33) Valdosta, GA

Valdosta, Georgia, New Year's Eve 5K winners, 2012 - 2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
31 December 2012	17:58, Mark McLeod	24:56, Martha Mazurkiewicz	50
31 December 2013	18:04, Ryan Kelly	22:30, Makenzee Page	75
31 December 2014	16:59, Andrew Elam	20:52, Makenzee Page	69

Links

• Complete results of Valdosta's 2014 New Year's Eve 5K (Courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC)
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HDiu1Fay-arLMV60JV2tCUlTrqez93R3as9Hch37rJE/pubhtmlhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HDiu1Fay-arLMV60JV2tCUlTrqez93R3as9Hch37rJE/pubhtml
  
  
• 2013 story, "Kelly and Page headline a New Year's Runnin' Eve in Valdosta"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/01/valdosta-nye-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "In Valdosta, McLeod and Mazurkiewicz ring out the old year with new wins"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/valdosta-nye-2012.html
  
  
• Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "Ring Out, Wild Bells"
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ring_Out,_Wild_Bells
  
  
• Find upcoming races in the region during the new year using the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1274

Kelly and Page rise to the occasion at Bun Run

Finishing more than 700 meters ahead of the next runner, Ryan Kelly won the fifth annual 5K Break Bread Bun Run on Saturday morning, 12 July 2014. Kelly not only scored his second straight win at the event, the Lake Park, Georgia, athlete also scored a modest payday, picking up $100 for breaking the event record. His time for the 3.1-mile run through the Wood Valley neighborhood of Valdosta, Georgia, was 18:19, bettering the 18:21 run by Mark McLeod at the 2012 Bun Run.


Valdosta's Greg George finished runner-up in the race at 20:11. Rick Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta was the third finisher and top master in the field, running 20:39. Recent Valdosta Middle School alumnus Quin McGlamery took fourth with a 21:19.


Right behind McGlamery at 21:20, Makenzee Page finished atop the women's standings, placing fifth overall. Mary Alice Smoot, an incoming freshman at the University of Tampa, was second on the women's side, coming in seventh overall in 22:47. Melanie Ellis of Valdosta was the third woman in the race and the first woman master, 11th overall in 23:27.


49 athletes finished the race, which was contested over a new course through Wood Valley. The consensus was that the new route was no less hilly than the previous one. Wood Valley is located on the verge of the Withlacoochee River, a bit of geography that helps to explain why it is one of the hilliest neighborhoods in Valdosta. Area runner aren't afraid of a challenge, though, and have shown up since 2010 during the hottest month of the year to tackle the slopes of Wood Valley. The Break Bread Bun Run is staged by First Presbyterian Church of Valdosta, with proceeds going to benefit Valdosta's Break Bread Together program, which provides one meal a day (five days a week) to area senior citizens who are low income, who are home-bound and who, without caregivers, are unable to prepare meals for themselves.


Top Ten Men, 2013 Break Bread Bun Run 5K

1. 18:18.9 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
2. 20:11.0 ~ Greg George (M, 26) Valdosta, GA
3. 20:38.2 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
4. 21:18.8 ~ Quin McGlamery (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
5. 21:43.7 ~ Rob McGhin (M, 34) Valdosta, GA
6. 22:50.8 ~ Wesley Heruska (M, 38) Hahira, GA
7. 23:01.0 ~ Keith Madsen (M, 28) Valdosta, GA
8. 23:01.8 ~ Ken Smith (M, 49) Valdosta, GA
9. 23:29.7 ~ Jeff Fountain (M, 50) Alexandria, VA
10. 25:20.5 ~ Darren McCall (M, 31) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, 2013 Break Bread Bun Run 5K

1. 21:19.1 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 22:46.6 ~ Mary Alice Smoot (F, 18) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:26.3 ~ Melanie Ellis (F, 41) Valdosta, GA
4. 23:31.3 ~ Debbie Green (F, 48) Valdosta, GA
5. 25:58.7 ~ Nancy Elam (F, 51) Valdosta, GA
6. 26:01.6 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 36) Lake Park, GA
7. 26:12.4 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
8. 27:19.8 ~ Cassey Fullard (F, 13) Alma, GA
9. 28:06.7 ~ Breanna Madsen (F, 26) Valdosta, GA
10. 29:07.8 ~ Beth Ford (F, 45) Valdosta, GA

Break Bread Bun Run 5K champions, 2010-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
24 July 2010	18:28, Scott Gardner	24:16, Nicole Kump	49
23 July 2011	18:47, Masked Avenger	23:07, Minerva Arreguin	78
21 July 2012	18:21, Mark McLeod	21:11, Alice Smoot	56
20 July 2013	18:54, Ryan Kelly	22:30, Alison Peters	71
12 July 2014	18:19, Ryan Kelly	21:20, Makenzee Page	49

Links:

• Complete results of the 2014 Break Bread Bun Run 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gU_PUKEbBzRdusnCn-V-n_429YT41oY0RKtRKrOJJB4/pubhtml
  
  
• Course map, 2014 Break Bread Bun Run 5K
  https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWbQx-8lcduHrQ0AlVIWv4XDZzP0KQefM318SP7ZiEsngdpznhok3cLbZ0j849hPqfHR5cZgUO3HkgXwY0TXfjTMdwittEOVq3pCJq1myNw9pC0rGim-6ypdkbmGDIwnAv6uJ5pNLf4M/s1600/Break+Bread+Bun+Run+5K+map+20140712.jpg
  
  
• 2013 story, "Kelly and Peters break away at Break Bread Bun Run"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/07/bun-run-2013-.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "McLeod and Smoot kick some buns in Valdosta's Wood Valley"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/07/bun-run-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, "Avenger and Arreguin emerge from the Wood Valley Hills as Bun Run Champs"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/07/bun-run-2011.html
  
  
• 2010 story, "Gardner conquers Valdosta's Wood Valley hills to win the Bun Run 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/07/break-bread-2010.html
  
  
• Break Bread Bun Run
  http://www.breakbreadbunrun.com/
  
  
• Find another baked good race on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1172

Elam and Page lead runners on Old Glory's birthday

On 14 June 1777 the Continental Congress adopted the flag of the United States. Gradually, that date evolved into Flag Day. Various local observances came first. Flag Day went national when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it as such in 1916. Congress finally followed suit in 1949.


The Flag Day 5K in Valdosta, Georgia, is one of the more recent Flag Day traditions, established in 2013. The second annual race, though, couldn't have been better if it had 237 years of history behind it. Knocking off defending champion Ryan Kelly, Lowndes High rising junior Andrew Elam won Valdosta's most recent Flag Day 5K on Saturday morning, 14 June 2014. Elam ran 17:36 for the 3.1-mile race, finishing about 60 meters ahead of Kelly's 17:49. Valdosta High rising sophomore Matthew Baun, coming off a win at the previous week's Fire Up 5K, was third in 17:58. Lowndes High rising senior Nathan Crews was fourth in the Flag Day 5K, running 18:44. Each of the top four athletes bettered Ryan Kelly's 2013 event record of 19:00.


Makenzee Page also set a new event record on the women's side. Running 21:22, Page won the women's title, placing sixth overall and breaking Alison Peters' 2013 event record of 22:47. Kelsey Morse (7th, 21:57) and Mackenzie Morse (9th, 22:08), second and third in the women's standings, also finished faster than the old record.


Rob Sheridan of Valdosta was the fastest master in the Flag Day 5K field, finishing 11th overall in 22:46. Sheridan's time was under Jim Hall's 2013 male master mark of 26:19. It was also faster than Debbie Green's overall master record for the event, 23:47. Green was no longer the fastest master ever at the Flag Day 5K, but she did successfully defend her title as top woman master, placing twelfth overall in 22:51--a new Flag Day 5K record for master women.


54 athletes finished Valdosta's 2014 Flag Day 5K. The race started at 7:30 AM ET from American Legion Post 13 on Williams Street.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Valdosta Flag Day 5K

1. 17:35.9 ~ Andrew Elam (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
2. 17:49.0 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
3. 17:57.8 ~ Matthew Baun (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
4. 18:43.3 ~ Nathan Crews (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
5. 20:27.8 ~ Steven Johnson II (M, 18) Norman Park, GA
6. 22:03.5 ~ Steven Johnson (M, 36) Norman Park, GA
7. 22:09.1 ~ Wesley Heruska (M, 38) Hahira, GA
8. 22:45.4 ~ Rob Sheridan (M, 53) Valdosta, GA
9. 23:02.7 ~ Quentrell Taylor (M, 13) Valdosta, GA
10. 23:08.0 ~ Rusty Jones (M, 61) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, 2014 Valdosta Flag Day 5K

1. 21:22.0 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 21:56.9 ~ Kelsey Morse (F, 11) Valdosta, GA
3. 22:07.1 ~ Mackenzie Morse (F, 14) Valdosta, GA
4. 22:51.0 ~ Debbie Green (F, 48) Valdosta, GA
5. 25:11.2 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
6. 25:18.5 ~ Gina Purvis (F, 55) Tifton, GA
7. 25:25.6 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 36) Lake Park, GA
8. 28:09.7 ~ Brooke Reese (F, 14) Jesup, GA
9. 28:16.4 ~ Beth Ford (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
10. 28:56.8 ~ Pollyanna Bass (F, 42) Pavo, GA

Valdosta Flag Day 5K winners, 2013-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
15 June 2013	19:00, Ryan Kelly	22:47, Alison Peters	18
14 June 2014	17:36, Andrew Elam	21:22, Makenzee Page	54

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Valdosta Flag Day 5K, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdDJwVXk1MFpZV1hlUXhlLXhValZRc1E
  
  
• 2013 story, "Chequered flags on Flag Day for Kelly and Peters"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/06/flag-day-2013.html
  
  
• Find the next Red, White, and Blue race in the region on the Trouble Afoot! race calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1158

Rogers and Page rule the roads in Valdosta on Memorial Day

Youth led the way at Valdosta's sixth annual Memorial Day 5K on Monday morning, 26 May 2014. One specific youth, Lowndes High rising sophomore Dylan Rogers, led everyone, winning the 3.1-mile race in 17:26. Not far behind him, two other Lowndes High cross-country runners battled for second--graduating senior Jadon Long and rising junior Andrew Elam. Long slid in ahead of Elam, 17:35 to 17:37. Valdosta High rising sophomore Matthew Baun followed them across the finish line, placing fourth in 17:44. Ryan Kelly was the first finisher to have voted in a presidential election, coming in fifth in 17:58. The race's fastest master runner was Rick Mazurkiewicz of Valdosta, ninth in 20:24.


Incoming freshman Makenzee Page kept the youth theme going on the women's side. Running 22:01, more than four minutes faster than she clocked in the 2013 Memorial Day 5K, Page was the first female in the race, placing 16th overall. Ali Thornhill was runner-up in the women's standings, placing 17th overall in 22:14. Melanie Ellis of Valdosta was the third woman finisher and top woman master, 21st overall in 23:13.


92 athletes finished the 2014 Valdosta Memorial Day 5K. The runners also donated 113 pounds of food to Second Harvest of South Georgia.


Top Ten Men, Valdosta's 2014 Memorial Day 5K

1. 17:25.4 ~ Dylan Rogers (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
2. 17:34.3 ~ Jadon Long (M, 18) Hahira, GA
3. 17:36.2 ~ Andrew Elam (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
4. 17:43.8 ~ Matthew Baun (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
5. 17:58.0 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
6. 18:14.3 ~ Chance Roe (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
7. 19:27.9 ~ Elijah Boyd (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
8. 20:04.7 ~ Liam Bickerstaff (M, 18) Hahira, GA
9. 20:24.0 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
10. 20:27.4 ~ Brandon Smith (M, 24) Hahira, GA

Top Ten Women, Valdosta's 2014 Memorial Day 5K

1. 22:00.2 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 22:13.3 ~ Ali Thornhill (F, 34) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:12.2 ~ Melanie Ellis (F, 41) Valdosta, GA
4. 23:30.2 ~ Debbie Green (F, 48) Valdosta, GA
5. 24:08.6 ~ Brianna Prinsloo (F, 27) Hahira, GA
6. 24:27.5 ~ Melissa Roe (F, 36) Valdosta, GA
7. 25:00.5 ~ Nancy Elam (F, 50) Valdosta, GA
8. 25:25.6 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
9. 25:31.4 ~ Melanie Hall (F, 40) Tifton, GA
10. 25:34.3 ~ Gina Purvis (F, 55) Tifton, GA

Valdosta Memorial Day 5K Champions, 2009-2014
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

Links

• Complete results of Valdosta's 2014 Memorial Day 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdF9qY0ozTHJ4RGdoWmhjOHhpMjJ2OHc
  
  
• 2013 story, "Kelly and Green lead the charge at Valdosta's Memorial Day 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/06/valdosta-memorial-day-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "Avenger and Peters mark Memorial Day with wins"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/05/valdosta-memorial-day-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, "Memorial Day three-peat for Rice in Valdosta"
  http://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
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1148

Elam and Page win this go-round of the Racing With Rotary 5K

Valdosta, Georgia, Rotary's annual Racing With Rotary 5K got a new home and a new winner this year. After four years in Kinderlou Forest, the Rotary staged the 10 May 2014 edition of the race from McKey Park. Lowndes High sophomore Andrew Elam and two-time defending champ Ryan Kelly ran together for nearly three miles, then Elam rushed ahead of Kelly to get the win, 17:52 to 17:55. Valdosta's Rick Mazurkiewicz was the next runner over the finish line, third overall in 20:52. Marzurkiewicz was the top master runner in the race. Valdosta High cross-country alumnus Milo Mirate placed fourth in 21:16.


Makenzee Page of Ray City, Georgia, was fifth overall in 21:51, winning the women's title at yet another south Georgia race. It was almost exactly two minutes faster than Page had run a year earlier in the 2013 Racing With Rotary 5K. Valdosta master runner Debbie Green was second in the women's standings, coming in ninth overall in 23:53.


35 athletes finished the 2014 Racing With Rotary 5K. Proceeds from the race benefit the Georgia Rotary Student Program and other local Rotary charities.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Racing With Rotary 5K

1. 17:51.5 ~ Andrew Elam (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
2. 17:54.2 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
3. 20:51.2 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
4. 21:15.6 ~ Milo Mirate (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
5. 21:52.2 ~ Thom Amiot (M, 26) Valdosta, GA
6. 22:27.8 ~ Wesley Heruska (M, 38) Hahira, GA
7. 23:20.5 ~ Rusty Jones (M, 61) Valdosta, GA
8. 24:28.4 ~ Lars Leader (M, 61) Valdosta, GA
9. 24:48.1 ~ Rob Sheridan (M, 53) Valdosta, GA
10. 26:14.9 ~ Jim Hall (M, 64) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, 2014 Racing With Rotary 5K

1. 21:50.3 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 23:52.3 ~ Debbie Green (F, 48) Valdosta, GA
3. 25:40.8 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 35) Lake Park, GA
4. 25:48.5 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
5. 25:56.0 ~ Jazz Garmon (F, 21) Tifton, GA
6. 28:20.3 ~ Tammy Hatton (F, 41) Lakeland, GA
7. 29:46.7 ~ Haley Jernigan (F, 17) Alapaha, GA
8. 29:51.2 ~ Maggie Harper (F, 14) Nashville, GA
9. 30:09.0 ~ Julee Lincoln (F, 31) Valdosta, GA
10. 30:41.0 ~ Pollyanna Bass (F, 42) Pavo, GA

Racing With Rotary 5K champions, 2009-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
16 May 2009	18:41, Masked Avenger	23:18, Kirsten Kielma	57
15 May 2010	16:55, Austin McDonald	21:05, Alice Smoot	71
14 May 2011	18:30, Masked Avenger	21:13, Alice Smoot	40
12 May 2012	17:37, James Marino	21:15, Amber Elam	70
11 May 2013	18:16, Ryan Kelly	22:03, Kelsey Morse	58
10 May 2014	17:52, Andrew Elam	21:51, Makenzee Page	35
The 2009 Racing With Rotary 5K was staged on the VSU campus. The 2010-2013 races were run in Kinderlou Forest. The 2014 race was run from McKey Park.

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Racing With Rotary 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18mujE-PJ6eAoipMy2mbQh3_TuKC9B2iCYeSCPxERBDo/pubhtml
  
  
• 2013 story, "Kelly and Morse speed through the Kinderlou hills at sunrise"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/05/sunrise-rotary-2013.html
  
  
• 2010 story, "McDonald and Smoot win 5K in Kinderlou Forest"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/05/sunrise-rotary-2010.html
  
  
• Future races in the Tallahassee region
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1137

David Burnett and Makenzee Page make the cut at Scissors 5K

Finishing over half a kilometer ahead of the next runner, David Burnett won the fifth annual Don't Run With Scissors 5K in Valdosta, Georgia, on Saturday morning, 15 March 2014. Burnett's time in the 3.1-mile road race was 19:00. Derek Cummings placed second behind Burnett, running 21:14. Bryan Whitford was third overall in 21:27.


Winning the women's division, Makenzee Page of Ray City, Georgia, finished fourth overall in 21:36. Ten-year-old Mackenzie Rogers was second in the women's standings, coming in 13th overall in 24:21. Misty Watkins was the third woman finisher, 27th overall in 27:22.


Michael Baun was the fastest master runner in the 2014 Don't Run With Scissors 5K, placing 12th overall in 23:46. The top woman master in the race was Linda Wood. Wood was the woman finisher, coming in 35th overall in 28:06.


235 athletes finished the fifth annual Don't Run With Scissors 5K. The race was hosted by Valdosta's Sallas Mahone Elementary School, starting and finishing at the school. Sallas Mahone Elementary uses proceeds from the event to support the school's visual art programs.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Don't Run With Scissors 5K

1. 18:59.1 ~ David Burnett (M, 37) Valdosta, GA
2. 21:14.0 ~ Derek Cummings (M, 35)
3. 21:26.9 ~ Bryan Whitford (M, 27)
4. 21:50.1 ~ Milo Mirate (M, 18)
5. 22:49.1 ~ Bryce Jackson (M, 13)
6. 22:51.7 ~ Matt Prothro (M, 20)
7. 22:58.9 ~ Thomas Cargile (M, 31)
8. 23:14.8 ~ Darren McCall (M, 31)
9. 23:19.1 ~ Jimmy Carlson (M, 13)
10. 23:23.6 ~ Adam Gatzemeier (M, 37)

Top Ten Women, 2014 Don't Run With Scissors 5K

1. 21:35.1 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 24:20.6 ~ Mackenzie Rogers (F, 10)
3. 27:21.4 ~ Misty Watkins (F, 31)
4. 27:21.9 ~ Erica Strayhorn (F, 31)
5. 27:24.4 ~ Charlotte Brannon (F, 24)
6. 28:05.5 ~ Linda Wood (F, 57)
7. 28:10.9 ~ Bailee Musgrove (F, 10)
8. 28:16.3 ~ Jennifer Stein (F, 31)
9. 28:16.7 ~ Carlie Stein (F, 9)
10. 28:23.2 ~ Kristy Pittman (F, 33)

Don't Run With Scissors 5K champions, 2010-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
20 March 2010	17:33, Scott Gardner	20:56, Ashley Powell
12 March 2011	18:03, Masked Avenger	23:23, Angel Godwin	250
17 March 2012	18:29, Ryan Kelly	21:24, Alice Smoot
16 March 2013	18:09, Ryan Kelly	22:19, Kelsey Morse	285
15 March 2014	19:00, David Burnett	21:36, Makenzee Page	235

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Don't Run With Scissors 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdGhjMGFVUGN2UGgySHNWTGNpY1ZrcHc
  
  
• 2013 story, "Kelly and Morse flout safety for speed at Scissors 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/03/kelly-and-morse-flaunt-safety-for-speed.html
  
  
• 2011 story, "Cut and Run--Avenger and Godwin win the 'Scissors' 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/03/scissors-2011.html
  
  
• The Don't Run With Scissors Race on Facebook
  https://www.facebook.com/DontRunWithScissors5k
  
  
• Choose your next race in the region from the listings on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1104

Elam and Page set the pace in Lake Park 4-H 5K

After three years as a June race, the Lowndes County 4-H club moved their fourth annual "Run 4 tHe Revolution" 5K to 1 March 2014. The change in the calendar seemed to agree with Andrew Elam. The Lowndes High School sophomore won the 3.1-mile race through the streets of Lake Park, Georgia, in a course-record time of 17:41, finishing 40 meters ahead of defending champion Ryan Kelly. Kelly, a cross-country coach at Valdosta Middle School, was runner-up in 17:50.5. Nathan Smith of Valdosta was third in 21:43.


Finishing third overall, Makenzee Page of Ray City, Georgia, was the first female finisher, covering the course in 21:08. Page had finished third in the women's standing in the 2013 Run For The Revolution 5K. Repeating as women's runner-up, Valdosta runner Elizabeth Smith was fifth overall in 22:21. Third for the women was Alison Thornhill of Valdosta, sixth overall in 22:28.


The top master in the race was Valdosta's Rusty Jones; Jones placed seventh overall in 22:31. The first woman master was Sylvia Ellis of Valdosta, 16th overall in 25:07.


43 athletes finished the race. Timing and finish line services were by Valdosta-based A Course/Line, LLC.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Run 4 tHe Revolution 5K

1. 17:41.0 ~ Andrew Elam (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
2. 17:50.5 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
3. 21:42.3 ~ Nathan Smith (M, 35) Valdosta, GA
4. 22:30.7 ~ Rusty Jones (M, 61) Valdosta, GA
5. 22:40.1 ~ Darren McCall (M, 30) Valdosta, GA
6. 23:01.5 ~ Wesley Heruska (M, 37) Hahira, GA
7. 23:27.1 ~ Lars Leader (M, 61) Valdosta, GA
8. 24:09.5 ~ Steven Dansereau (M, 53) Lakeland, GA
9. 24:34.3 ~ Paul Brown (M, 41) Valdosta, GA
10. 25:17.6 ~ Michael Guilmette (M, 51) Lake Park, GA

Top Ten Women, 2014 Run 4 tHe Revolution 5K

1. 21:08.0 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 22:20.3 ~ Elizabeth Smith (F, 35) Valdosta, GA
3. 22:27.4 ~ Alison Thornhill (F, 34) Valdosta, GA
4. 23:39.3 ~ Amber Elam (F, 24) Valdosta, GA
5. 24:02.2 ~ Candice Arnold (F, 35) Lake Park, GA
6. 24:42.1 ~ Brianna Prinsloo (F, 26) Hahira, GA
7. 25:06.8 ~ Sylvia Ellis (F, 44) Valdosta, GA
8. 25:12.2 ~ Nancy Elam (F, 50) Valdosta, GA
9. 26:53.8 ~ Heather Kelly (F, 35) Lake Park, GA
10. 27:05.0 ~ Beth Ford (F, 45) Valdosta, GA

Run 4 tHe Revolution 5K winners, 2011-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
11 June 2011	18:49, Masked Avenger	23:53, Heather Barfield	34
9 June 2012	18:39, Masked Avenger	20:40, Alison Peters	71
8 June 2013	19:02, Ryan Kelly	22:36, Kelsey Morse	63
1 March 2014	17:41, Andrew Elam	21:08, Makenzee Page	43

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Run 4 tHe Revolution 5K, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdFNZRFRya2hKVnB3SG5oRGVqemdocWc
  
  
• 2013 story, "Rapid Revolutions in Lake Park for Kelly and Morse"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/06/revolution-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "Lake Park laurels for Avenger and Peters"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/06/revolution-2012.html
  
  
• Look for your next chance to race in Lake Park on the Trouble Afoot! calendar:
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1093

Kelly and Page winners in Buzzard Day 5K at Reed Bingham State Park

Reed Bingham State Park opened in South Georgia near Adel during 1958, but before then the vultures were already visiting the area each winter. Runners began annual visits some time after the park was established, but still more than a few years ago. In addition to being newcomers compared to the vultures, the runners weren't as consistent. Sometimes they came in February, sometimes in May. Sometimes they ran a 10K, sometimes a 5K. Sometimes they ran on the trails, sometimes on the roads. Whatever the date or distance, they came for Road Kill Run.


In 2014, the Road Kill Run was held on 22 February after two years of May race dates. As in the previous two years, the race was a 5K on USATF certified course GA11076WC. This time around Ryan Kelly--the Valdosta Middle School cross-country coach from Lake Park, Georgia--won the race, posting a time of 18:51 for the 3.1-mile tour of the park. Adel master runner Sean McConnell finished second behind Kelly in 19:34. Another master runner, Bret Wagenhorst of Tifton, Georgia, was third in 20:32.


Ray City, Georgia, athlete Makenzee Page finished fourth overall, winning the women's competition and setting a new women's course record of 21:25. Lakeland, Georgia, master runner Tammy Hatton was the women's runner-up, placing 12th overall in 29:21.


33 athletes finished the 2014 Road Kill Run 5K. The race is conducted by the Friends of Reed Bingham State Park for the benefit of the park. Finish line and timing services were provided by A Course/Line, LLC of Valdosta, Georgia.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Road Kill Run 5K

1. 18:50.3 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
2. 19:33.8 ~ Sean McConnell (M, 43) Adel, GA
3. 20:31.8 ~ Bret Wagenhorst (M, 53) Tifton, GA
4. 21:56.0 ~ Jonathan McDaniel (M, 32) Adel, GA
5. 23:37.8 ~ James Hawke (M, 47) Sylvester, GA
6. 24:53.1 ~ Bob Moon (M, 59) Valdosta, GA
7. 25:52.0 ~ Steven Schramm (M, 41) Adel, GA
8. 25:56.8 ~ Bruce Bailey (M, 57) Valdosta, GA
9. 27:04.5 ~ Derrick Harris (M, 51) Hahira, GA
10. 28:48.9 ~ Brett McDaniel (M, 24) Adel, GA

Top Ten Women, 2014 Road Kill Run 5K

1. 21:24.8 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 29:20.8 ~ Tammy Hatton (F, 41) Lakeland, GA
3. 31:56.2 ~ Laura Walton (F, 22) Valdosta, GA
4. 35:29.3 ~ Suzanne Pittman (F, 45) Hahira, GA
5. 35:30.4 ~ Deborah McDonald (F, 56) Valdosta, GA
6. 36:44.2 ~ Kathy Singley (F, 55) Moultrie, GA
7. 36:45.9 ~ Lynn Rice (F, 58) Ray City, GA
8. 37:33.3 ~ Tina Azar (F, 35) Moultrie, GA
9. 39:45.4 ~ Julie McDaniel (F, 58) Adel, GA

Recent Road Kill Run 5K winners, 2012-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
19 May 2012	18:34, Masked Avenger	24:24, Christy Cherry	71
18 May 2013	18:43, Chance Roe	22:28, Eryn Wilkey	65
22 February 2014	18:51, Ryan Kelly	21:25, Makenzee Page	33
Prior to 2012, the Road Kill Run was a 10K and a 5K held on the trails in Reed Bingham State Park. Starting in 2012, the Road Kill Run became a 5K held on the park's roads on USATF certified course #GA11076WC.

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Road Kill Run 5K, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdHNGZVhjM3dBcHMxbjVXWmpybGF4WkE
  
  
• 2013 story, "Roe and Wilkey make their rivals look like buzzard bait"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/05/road-kill-2013.html
  
  
• 2012 story, "Avenger and Cherry leave 'em behind for the buzzards"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/05/road-kill-2012.html
  
  
• Road Kill Run 5K course certification map (USATF #GA11076WC)
  http://www.usatf.org/events/courses/maps/showMap.asp?courseID=GA11076WC
  
  
• Reed Bingham State Park
  http://www.gastateparks.org/ReedBingham
  
  
• Look for an upcoming race with a more charismatic mascot on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1085

Gordon and Page earn salutes at the Jog With The Generals

If you're and athlete driving through south Georgia on US 41, you might notice the small town of Dasher has a name related to running. But even if you miss that, you'll be certain to notice that the city offices are encircled by a running track--two lanes, green, and rubberized. There's even a 40-yard dash marked off on one of the straightaways. Dasher must be all about running.


Or maybe not. But on Saturday morning, 8 February 2014, for the second year in a row Dasher was the site of Georgia Christian School's Jog With The Generals 5K. Conditions for this year's race were moistened by on-and-off light rains, but it wasn't damp enough to discourage 126 athletes from finishing the 3.1-mile run.


Scott Gordon of Tallahassee, Florida, won the second annual race by nearly 300 meters, covering the 3.1-mile course in 18:51. Lowndes High School senior Tyler Thurman, the previous year's third-place finisher, moved up to the runner-up spot this year with a 20:01.


Makenzee Page successfully defended her women's title in the race, finishing third overall and lowering her own course record to 21:02.


Renaldas Smidtas of Naylor, Georgia, was the first master runner in the race, placing sixth overall in 23:45. He was immediately followed across the finish line by the first master woman, Valdosta's Jennifer Hummel, who was seventh overall in 23:45.


Top Ten Men, 2014 Jog With The Generals 5K

1. 18:50.5 ~ Scott Gordon (M, 30) Tallahassee, FL
2. 20:00.1 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:20.7 ~ Nick Carter (M, 13) Lake Park, GA
4. 23:25.4 ~ Rob McGhin (M, 34) Valdosta, GA
5. 23:39.1 ~ Renaldas Smidtas (M, 49) Naylor, GA
6. 24:13.6 ~ Davis Baldwin (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
7. 24:14.7 ~ Rob Hummel (M, 44) Dasher , GA
8. 24:46.9 ~ Bob Moon (M, 59) Valdosta, GA
9. 25:25.1 ~ Alan Sanderson (M, 39) Valdosta, GA
10. 25:33.8 ~ William Slone (M, 67) Lake Park, GA

Top Ten Women, 2014 Jog With The Generals 5K

1. 21:01.1 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 23:44.6 ~ Jennifer Hummel (F, 40) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:45.9 ~ Cora Pyles (F, 16) Hahira, GA
4. 24:30.6 ~ Holly Campbell (F, 14) Lake Park, GA
5. 26:27.1 ~ Lindsay Colson (F, 28) Valdosta, GA
6. 27:56.8 ~ Carrie Mauldin (F, 16) Hahira, GA
7. 28:00.3 ~ Michelle Iturralde (F, 39) Valdosta, GA
8. 28:00.6 ~ Amy Cozart (F, 37) Valdosta, GA
9. 28:12.3 ~ Bailey Warren (F, 11) Lake Park, GA
10. 29:25.5 ~ Greta Smidt (F, 21) Tallahassee, FL

Jog With The Generals 5K champions, 2013-2014
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
9 February 2013	17:48, Steven Cary	22:57, Makenzee Page	161
8 February 2014	18:51, Scott Gordon	21:02, Makenzee Page	126

Links

• Complete results of the 2014 Jog With The Generals 5K
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdGc5UFQtRVVpMnVfZV9Ybll3UURHQnc
  
  
• 2013 story, "Cary and Page outrank the field at the Generals 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/02/generals-2013.html
  
  
• The previous week, "Thatcher and Allen are the first champions of the Lowndes Middle 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2014/02/lms-2014.html
  
  
• Find an upcoming commissioned or non-commissioned race in the region on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1075

Kelly and Page headline a New Year's Runnin' Eve in Valdosta

They might have been complicit in solidifying a new tradition in south Georgia athletics. The 75 runners didn't care, though; they were eager enough to race Valdosta's second annual New Year's Eve 5K. They were 25 more than the 50 runners who had finished the first New Year's Eve 5K in 2012. They were all at Lowndes High on Tuesday night, 31 December, for one more race in 2013.


Valdosta Middle School cross-country coach Ryan Kelly won the 3.1-mile race by about 100 meters, posting a time of 18:04. There was a tight battle for second place among three member of the Lowneds High cross-country team. Sophomore Andrew Elam edged freshman Dylan Rogers for the runner-up spot, 18:25 to 18:26, while senior Jadon Long followed a few steps back in fourth at 18:31. Valdosta's Tom Phillips took top master honors, coming in eighth overall in 20:54.


Fourteen-year-old Makenzee Page of Ray City, Georgia, led the women's standings, coming in 14th overall in 22:30. Page's time set a new women's course record for the event, bettering the 24:56 run in 2012 by Valdosta master runner Martha Mazurkiewicz. Elizabeth Smith of Valdosta was the next woman across the finish line, 15th overall in 22:48. Valdosta's Debbie Green was the third woman finisher and first woman master, placing 17th overall in 23:09.


Expect the third annual Valdosta New Year's Eve 5K back on a closed course at Lowndes High School on Wednesday night, 31 December 2014. It's one party that won't have you waking up with painful regrets on January 1.


Top Ten Men, Valdosta's 2013 New Year's Eve 5K

1. 18:03.3 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 35) Lake Park, GA
2. 18:24.3 ~ Andrew Elam (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
3. 18:25.6 ~ Dylan Rogers (M, 15) Valdosta, GA
4. 18:30.3 ~ Jadon Long (M, 17) Hahira, GA
5. 19:02.1 ~ Nathan Crews (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
6. 19:30.9 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 18) Valdosta, GA
7. 20:29.1 ~ Michael Roche (M, 38) Valdosta, GA
8. 20:53.8 ~ Tom Phillips (M, 50) Valdosta, GA
9. 20:57.3 ~ Justin Pickett (M, 16) Valdosta, GA
10. 21:49.8 ~ Milo Mirate (M, 18) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Women, Valdosta's 2013 New Year's Eve 5K

1. 22:29.3 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 14) Ray City, GA
2. 22:47.4 ~ Elizabeth Smith (F, 35) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:08.8 ~ Debbie Green (F, 47) Valdosta, GA
4. 25:47.1 ~ Candice Arnold (F, 34) Lake Park, GA
5. 26:06.9 ~ Melaine Ellis (F, 40) Valdosta, GA
6. 27:31.0 ~ Beth Ford (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
7. 28:23.2 ~ Sylvia Ellis (F, 44) Valdosta, GA
8. 28:24.9 ~ Brooke Meindl (F, 12) Valdosta, GA
9. 28:25.4 ~ Stephanie Adams (F, 46) Jennings, FL
10. 28:33.0 ~ Lexi Metts (F, 10) Hahira, GA

Links

• Complete results of Valdosta's 2013 New Year's Eve 5K (Courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC)
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdGRobmZxcjJPRUh0emxLTTVjSExaU0E
  
  
• 2012 story, "In Valdosta, McLeod and Mazurkiewicz ring out the old year with new wins"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2013/01/valdosta-nye-2012.html
  
  
• Find upcoming races in the region during the new year using the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

#1089

Makenzee Page wins it all at the Get-A-Mammy 5K

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. On 28 September 2013, with October just days away, Get-A-Mammy, inc., staged Valdosta's third annual Get-A-Mammy 5K--the race that reminds women everywhere to "Get a mammy!" That is, a mammogram.


Thirteen-year-old Makenzee Page won the 3.1-mile race, turning in a 22:28. Valdosta master runner Debbie Green was the runner-up in the race, finishing 18 seconds back in 22:46.


After the ladies had taken the first two places, Valdosta master runners Nate Simmons and Mark Steele finished a fraction of a second apart, with Simmons narrowly taking third place overall. Both runners were clocked in 25:05.


The Get-A-Mammy 5K benefits Get-A-Mammy, Inc., a non-profit whose programs include providing and administering funds for free mammograms to those who need financial assistance in obtaining a mammogram. 78 athletes finished the 2013 edition of the race.


Top Ten Males, 2013 Get-A-Mammy 5K

1. 22:27.8 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 13) Ray City, GA
2. 22:45.3 ~ Debbie Green (F, 47) Valdosta, GA
3. 27:31.1 ~ Carolie Wynen (F, 32) Valdosta, GA
4. 27:57.0 ~ Isela Loveless (F, 33) Hahira, GA
5. 28:10.0 ~ Galen Mirate (F, 58) Valdosta, GA
6. 28:11.0 ~ Beth Howell (F, 57) Valdosta, GA
7. 28:13.5 ~ Tammy Hatton (f, 41) Lakeland, GA
8. 28:33.4 ~ Lexi Metts (F, 10) Hahira, GA
9. 29:37.0 ~ Pollyanna Bass (F, 41) Pavo, GA
10. 29:57.5 ~ Kendall Okuma (F, 22) Ray City, GA

Top Ten Males, 2013 Get-A-Mammy 5K

1. 25:04.3 ~ Nate Simmons (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
2. 25:04.6 ~ Mark Steele (M, 54) Valdosta, GA
3. 26:03.3 ~ Scott Routsong (M, 47) Valdosta, GA
4. 26:55.5 ~ Randy Walker (M, 55) Valdosta, GA
5. 26:55.9 ~ William Querin (M, 53) Valdosta, GA
6. 27:04.7 ~ Robert Wise (M, 59) Valdosta, GA
7. 27:40.5 ~ Bob Bowen (M, 70) Nashville, GA
8. 27:59.7 ~ Kyle Culpepper (M, 26) Valdosta, GA
9. 28:43.2 ~ Jeffery Storey (M, 40) Hahira, GA
10. 28:58.0 ~ Jammie Metts (M, 37) Hahira, GA

Get-A-Mammy 5K winners, 2011 - 2013
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
1 October 2011	18:14, David Burnett	20:59, Alice Smoot	142
29 September 2012	21:43, Jackson Williams	23:38, Audrey Williams	165
28 September 2013	25:05, Nate Simmons	22:28, Makenzee Page	78

Links

• Complete results of the 2013 Get-A-Mammy 5K via A Course/Line, LLC, of Valdosta
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdFl3bEZNWjJPVE42SEJwX244UXBLRXc
  
  
• 2012 story, "Williams and Williams winners at a growing Get-A-Mammy 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2012/10/getamammy-2012.html
  
  
• 2011 story, "Burnett and Smoot tops at Valdosta's Get-A-Mammy 5K"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/10/getamammy-2011.html
  
  
• Find an upcoming breast-cancer awareness race or any race at all at Trouble Afoot!
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

Marino and Page tops in third Honor Our Neighbor 5K

Valdosta runner James Marino won the first ever Honor Our Neighbor 5K in 2010, but missed the follow-up race in 2012. He was back on Saturday, 14 September 2013, for the third annual Honor Our Neighbor 5K, winning the 3.1-mile race through the streets of Valdosta in 18:43. Runner-up Ryan Sealy was over a minute back in 19:54. Third place overall went to the first female finisher, Makenzee Page, who posted a 22:25.


The fastest master runner in the race was Rusty Jones of Valdosta. Jones finished ninth overall in 23:35. The first female master was Tifton, Georgia's Loan Goodman, 26th in 27:26.


98 athletes finished the race, which was hosted by the Valdosta State University chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the honors fraternity for financial information students. The 5K was organized to help minimize the financial burden faced by 10 year old Valdosta resident and cancer patient, Brody Shiver, and his family. The net proceeds of the race will be distributed to Brody Shiver and used by him and his family to assist in costs associated with Brody’s illness.


Top Ten Males, 2013 Honor Our Neighbor 5K

1. 18:42.9 ~ James Marino (M, 34) Valdosta
2. 19:53.1 ~ Ryan Sealy (M, 30) Valdosta
3. 22:40.0 ~ Kenneth Wilkey (M, 39) Valdosta
4. 22:44.7 ~ Jesse Nguyen (M, 20) Valdosta
5. 23:01.7 ~ Chris Ryals (M, 33) Blackshear
6. 23:20.6 ~ Derrick Howell (M, 31) Thomasville
7. 23:34.5 ~ Rusty Jones (M, 60) Valdosta
8. 23:54.5 ~ Curtis Cook (M, 26) Valdosta
9. 24:09.4 ~ Kaid Register (M, 11) Valdosta
10. 24:10.1 ~ Toby Wilkey (M, 14) Valdosta

Top Ten Females, 2013 Honor Our Neighbor 5K

1. 22:24.5 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 13) Ray City
2. 22:33.6 ~ Alecia Beck (F, 26) Valdosta
3. 24:15.1 ~ Eryn Wilkey (F, 10) Valdosta
4. 24:48.7 ~ Gina Arnold (F, 40) Valdosta
5. 25:01.2 ~ Kelly Davis (F, 23) Valdosta
6. 26:16.9 ~ Tania Williams (F, 38) Pinetta, FL
7. 27:03.0 ~ Ansley Harrison (F, 19) Valdosta
8. 27:25.2 ~ Loan Goodman (F, 46) Tifton
9. 27:33.8 ~ Melody Samples (F, 38) Valdosta
10. 28:05.2 ~ Lisa Grimes (F, 30) Thomasville

Honor Our Neighbor 5K winners, 2010-2013
Date	Men	Women	Finishers
10 July 2010	17:34, James Marino	22:23, Alison Peters	111
28 January 2012	17:58, Juan Castanon	22:50, Gretchen Bielmyer	70
14 September 2013	18:43, James Marino	22:25, Mackenzee Page	98

Links

• Complete results of the 2013 Honor Our Neighbor 5K, via A Course/Line, LLC, of Valdosta, Georgia
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdGtDdU9wYlpBNG1kZW9ITURoVFFsQUE
  
  
• 2010 story, "Marino and Peters 'Honor Their Neighbors' in Valdosta"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2010/07/neighbors-5k-2010.html
  
  
• Valdosta Daily Time, "Run helps child with brain tumor"
  http://valdostadailytimes.com/local/x1253346131/Run-helps-child-with-brain-tumor
  
  
• When the 4th annual Honor Our Neighbor 5K is scheduled, you'll find it on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

Kelly and Page run fast at the Flatlander

Should you head to Lakeland, Georgia to watch birds or terrorize fish at Banks Lake, you might notice the sign styling the village as "Georgia's Historic Mural City." This latest nickname, although not undeserved, won't last any longer than the paint on the sides of Lakeland's buildings. It wouldn't be the first name Lakeland has lost. The settlement was originally called Alapaha, later becoming Milltown. The Lakeland name dates back to 1925.


If you aren't coming for the lakes, you might be coming for the festivals, such as the Milltown Motorcade or the Flatlander Fall Frolic. The latest Flatlander Fall Frolic, on Saturday, 31 August 2013, brought no fewer than 81 athletes to Lakeland to run in the road race associated with the annual festival, the Dawg-Gone Good Race 5K.


Ryan Kelly, the cross-country coach at Valdosta Middle School, was the decisive winner in the 3.1-mile footrace, running 17:40 and finishing over half a kilometer ahead of the runner-up. Ty Ty, Georgia master runner Kerry Underwood took second place, running 19:55. The next three places went to Valdosta, Georgia runners Keegan Boyd (3rd, 20:45), Kenneth Wilkey (4th, 21:10), and Toby Wilkey (5th, 21:29).


Thirteen-year-old Makenzee Page was the first female finisher, following the younger Wilkey across the line in sixth place overall at 21:45. Valdosta's Joi Jones was the next female finisher, eighth overall in 22:19. Beth Ford (29th, 27:03) was the first woman master and the sixth female finisher in the race.


The Flatlander Frolic has been around just over four decades and the Dawg-Gone Good Road Race is only a few years younger, but at 75 years old, Joe Christian has them both beat. Christian started racing at the Dawg-Gone Good Race in 1980 and has been competing ever since, notching his 1000th race at this year's 5K in Lakeland. This time around, Christian ran 29:31, finishing 47th overall and first in the 70-and-over age group. He's not done yet, either. Christian was scheduled to start on his second millennium just two days later at the fifth annual Valdosta Labor Day 5K.


Top Ten Males, 2013 Flatlanders Dawg Gone Good Race 5K

1. 17:39.5 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 34) Lake Park, GA
2. 19:54.9 ~ Kerry Underwood (M, 50) Ty Ty, GA
3. 20:44.4 ~ Keegan Boyd (M, 26) Valdosta, GA
4. 21:09.8 ~ Kenneth Wilkey (M, 39) Valdosta, GA
5. 21:28.4 ~ Toby Wilkey (M, 14) Valdosta, GA
6. 21:49.9 ~ Jason Browning (M, 39) Moultrie, GA
7. 22:19.0 ~ Rusty Jones (M, 60) Valdosta, GA
8. 22:27.7 ~ Brandon Gore (M, 25) Tallahassee, FL
9. 22:31.2 ~ Jacob Bennett (M, 15) Lakeland, GA
10. 22:42.3 ~ Scott Wiza (M, 51) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Females, 2013 Flatlanders Dawg Gone Good Race 5K

1. 21:44.6 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 13) Ray City, GA
2. 22:18.7 ~ Joi Jones (F, 18) Valdosta, GA
3. 22:40.4 ~ Melissa Mekpongsatorn (F, 31) Valdosta, GA
4. 25:23.9 ~ Kristina Singley (F, 34) Valdosta, GA
5. 25:37.2 ~ Brooke Reese (F, 13) Jesup, GA
6. 27:02.8 ~ Beth Ford (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
7. 27:12.8 ~ Tammy Hatton (F, 40) Lakeland, GA
8. 27:13.7 ~ Venessa Jesse (F,) Valdosta, GA
9. 27:25.4 ~ Lena Ivey (F, 31) Millwood, GA
10. 27:28.6 ~ Christa Shaw (F, 37) Lakeland, GA

Known champions of the Flatlander Fall Frolic Road Race
Date	Men	Women
2 September 1978	Jamie Martinez
1 September 1979	15:17, Ken Saint John	20:55, Debbie Dickson
2 September 2006	16:48, John Seppala	JoAnn Fuhrer
1 September 2007	Chris Gaither	Alice Smoot
30 August 2008
5 September 2009
4 September 2010
3 September 2011	17:37, Masked Avenger	25:11, Erin Grimme
1 September 2012	18:32, Masked Avenger	27:22 Brooke Reese
31 August 2013	17:40, Ryan Kelly	21:45, Makenzee Page
The 1978 event was a 10,000-meter race.

Links

• Complete results, 2013 Flatlanders Dawg-Gone Good Road Race
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdG8xQXMxZTRUeHVneDFXSG1LUm90UXc
  
  
• 2011 story, "Avenger and Grimme flatten their foes in a Dawg-Gone Good Race"
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/2011/09/flatlander-2011.html
  
  
• Find more interesting old races in the region using the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1
  
  

Cary and Page outrank the field at the Generals 5K

Dasher is a village in Lowndes county, Georgia, just south of Valdosta. Based on its name, you'd expect Dasher to be the site of a showcase 100-meter race, or perhaps a track meet solely devoted to sprints. Counter to those expectations Dasher was where 161 athletes completed a distance run on Saturday morning, 9 February 2013--the Jog With The Generals 5K. Once again, don't be fooled by names. Valdosta State University Blazer cross-country alumnus Steven Cary was moving quite a bit faster than a jog. Cary turned in a 17:48 for the 3.1-mile course, winning the first-year event. Behind Cary, Valdosta Middle School cross-country coach Ryan Kelly finished runner-up in 17:59. Tyler Thurman, a junior at Lowndes High School, took third with a 18:21. Jacob Bearrentine grabbed fourth in 19:58, and Valdosta master runner Rick Mazurkiewicz was fifth in 20:24.


Thirteen-year-old Makenzee Page of Valdosta's Viking Runners Club was the first female, running 22:57 to place ninth overall. Audrey Williams, a Valdosta State undergraduate, was the second female finisher, taking tenth overall in 23:08. Alycia Ussery (11th, 23:23), a freshman distance runner at Richmond Hill High School, was the third female and Valdosta's Jennifer Hummel (12th, 23:27) the fourth. The fifth female and top master woman was Valdosta's Martha Mazurkiewicz, 13th overall in 23:28.


The Jog With The Generals 5K was hosted by Georgia Christian School, a private school located in Dasher whose mascot is (you guessed it) the Generals.


Top Ten Males, 2013 Jog With The Generals 5K

1. 17:48.0 ~ Steven Cary (M, 25) Milledgeville, GA
2. 17:58.5 ~ Ryan Kelly (M, 34) Lake Park, GA
3. 18:20.6 ~ Tyler Thurman (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
4. 19:57.3 ~ Jacob Bearrentine (M, 20) Valdosta, GA
5. 20:24.0 ~ Rick Mazurkiewicz (M, 45) Valdosta, GA
6. 22:26.7 ~ Gene Murphy (M, 31) Valdosta, GA
7. 22:38.9 ~ Milo Mirate (M, 17) Valdosta, GA
8. 22:41.5 ~ Jacob Perry (M, 32) Valdosta, GA
9. 23:34.9 ~ Rob McGhin (M, 33) Valdosta, GA
10. 24:11.4 ~ Darren McCall (M, 29) Valdosta, GA

Top Ten Females, 2013 Jog With The Generals 5K

1. 22:56.5 ~ Makenzee Page (F, 13) Ray City, GA
2. 23:07.7 ~ Audrey Williams (F, 22) Valdosta, GA
3. 23:22.2 ~ Alycia Ussery (F, 15) Richmond Hill, GA
4. 23:26.1 ~ Jennifer Hummel (F, 39) Valdosta, GA
5. 23:27.7 ~ Martha Mazurkiewicz (F, 45) Valdosta, GA
6. 24:26.3 ~ Debbie Green  (F, 46) Valdosta, GA
7. 25:00.3 ~ Masha Bzenyuk (F, 24) Valdosta, GA
8. 25:22.3 ~ Nicole Parrish (F, 30) Valdosta, GA
9. 25:22.6 ~ Kala Hobbs (F, 28) Lenox, GA
10. 25:39.4 ~ Mary Cangelosi (F, 48) Valdosta, GA

Links

• Complete results of the 2013 Jogging With The Generals 5K, courtesy of A Course/Line, LLC
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AuBsYKIIn3TCdGhvNEZHUlR4Tll3bEZmNzQ1dzdTdlE
  
  
• If there's another race coming up in Dasher, it will be listed on the Trouble Afoot! calendar
  http://troubleafoot.blogspot.com/search/label/calendar?max-results=1