HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Top left to right: The Hedgespeth-Flinstone family; bewitching Denise Piercy and Dog Don the Bounty Hunting Piercy.

You old Geezer! A few days ago, that term might have offended those of a certain age. After yesterday's Geezer Jock Championship Triathlons, the term might become one of pride. Those age 40 and above who placed top ten in their age group at any of the Buttar races in Orlando's Moss Park this past season qualified to race in the Championship which offered an International distance of a .93-mile swim; 24.8-mile bike and 5.5-mile run as well as a sprint distance of a .75K swim, 12.4-mile bike and 2.5-mile run. The same distances were also offered to those who had not raced a Buttar event this year.

Several locals returned home with top awards including Pam Maxwell, 1st OA, International Championship, 2:03:13 (upper left); Debra Johansen, 2nd non-championship sprint, 1:26:21(upper center); Christy Zieres, 3rd OA, International Championship, 2:34:44(upper right) and Laurie Disanto, 3rd Sprint Championship, 1:47:20 and Jeff Cook, 4th AG, Internatiional Championship, 2:31:01.

Speaking of old people, of which we are one (sic), Katie Codlin-Wilson shared a funny story about partner Wolfgang Jensen during Saturday's Suncoast Triathlon in St. Petersburg.

"Wolf did GREAT!  2nd place, AG (1:10:05) against those crazy Mad Dogs!  It was a great race...much fun to do and well worth the trip.  Wolf passed a guy on the run and the guy said, 'Hey, great job for an old guy!"  Wolf replied, "Yeah, an old guy with an artificial hip!"  The guy was impressed and sought him out after the race to learn more.  He asked Wolf for permission to share his story with others, especially those who think it's over when they have to get surgeries similar to this.  He even put a comment on the race 'Comments' section about it." 

Katie did just fine herself, finishing the .33-mile swim, 10-mile bike and 3.1-mile run in 1:27:08. This was Katie's second triathlon and, although she has been running marathons for several years, the triathlon bug just hit her this year. The Health First sprint was her first.  Congrats to both Wolf and Katie!

More than 22,000 runners converged near Arlington Cemetery yesterday for the 8 a.m. start of the Marine Corps Marathon and the weather gods cooperated by providing 50 degree temperatures, very light northerly winds and no rain. The course wound through Georgetown, past the Kennedy Center, along the National Mall, past the U.S. Capitol, out to the dreaded Haines Point, which had once been removed from the course  but has now made a comeback, and through Crystal City. What a way to see DC!

Running alone for the final five miles was Ethiopian Tamrat Ayalew, who took the top spot in 2:22:18. And, much like the women's race at last week's Great Floridian Triathlon, a dark horse emerged victorious as Kristen Henehan, a three-time All American track runner at Georgetown, took the win in 2:51:09.

According to the AP, Henehan had no idea that she would emerge victorious.

"I truly was not going out with the mind-set of, 'I want to win,"' said Henehan, who had never run a full 26.2 miles before beginning training three months ago. "I was going out with the mind-set of, 'I'm running my first marathon and I want it to be a positive experience."

On a local level, Kristian Damkjer pulled out the fastest time, finishing in 3:24:41. The county also gained three new qualifiers for Boston in Thalena Boyd's 3:57:19;(Boyd in Barry Jone's photo above) Anne Logan's 4:00:20 and Annis Outlaw's 3:48:33.

Other locals who also received finishers' medals from hunky Marines included Tammy Bagdasarian, 4:56:35; Bruce Barnett, 4:35:00; Tammy Bever, 4:40:35; Scott Bodendorfer, 6:08:24; Sydney Brooksmason, 4:55:06; Kyle Cacciatore, 5:22:08; Charles Croft, 3:50:11; James Croft, 3:28:11; Kristian Dankjer, 3:24:41; Paul Drinkwater, 4:51:15; Charis Gaines, 5:02:57; Jeff Gleacher, 4:41:46; Josh Hall, 4:50:05; Ed Hollar, 5:23:05; Lavonda Hollar, 5:23:05; Tammy Karr, 4:55:07; Ken Kelly, 4:09:41; Hompeng Komthirath, 5:03:20; Mike Lewis, 5:09:06; John Mellick, 4:31:07; Jeanie Miglis, 5:59:31; Linda Moros, 6:17:51; Trevor Orsinger, 4:05:07;  Scott Plaster, 4:35:45; Steve Salvo, 6:17:49; Justin Shein, 5:26:41; Barbara Star, 4:46:57; Andrew Walters, 4:57:34; Jeff Winterich, 3:26:14; Dawn Wolf, 4:14:28; Billy Young, 5:51:54.

Finally, someone has pointed out that the Emperor's new clothes are really a sham and although he still reigns, he is naked.  That 'someone' is FLORIDA TODAY Sport's Editor Lee Nessel and the Emperor has a name - Disney. Read her thoughts on Sunday night's Tower of Terror 13K and 6.5K at http://forums.floridatoday.com/viewtopic.php?t=56067

Passenger Donna Soyk grins as Lee snaps a shot of the Mouse House traffic while Stacey Biddix tries to drive forward through Mouse Madness.

Close to 4,000 runners, many of them up way past their bedtimes, flocked to Disney's MGM studios last night for the inaugural Tower or Terror 13K or 6.5K. Entry fees included the race, glow in the dark t-shirts, light sticks and post-race party, including attractions, inside the park. Although the shorter race was not timed, several locals did Brevard proud with their 13K finishes. Leading the pack was Cocoa's Danny Barrett, (photo, left) who finished 15 out of 2,591 total in the 8.1 mile event. His 52:59 was also good enough for second in the 40-44 age group. Leading the local women was Kerstin Dea of Rockledge (photo right, courtesy Disney via Lee Nessel). Her 57:07 allowed her to come home with an award for third overall and her husband, Jonathan, finished second in the Military division with his 57:32. Lisa Miller's 1:08:45 got her first in the 50-54 age group and Kim Dunscombe took second in the 30-34 with her 1:02:43.  Congrats to all who raced including:

JUDY BAILEY, 1:13:50; DANIEL BARRETT, 1st 40-44, 52:59:00; SUSAN BEARDEN, 1:44:53; DANA BEATTIE, 1:53:40; FRED BENAVIDEZ, 1:40:04; STACEY BIDDIX, 1:49:58; MICHELE BIRDWELL, 1:29:40; IAN BOHNEN, 1:05:53; KARI BOWEN, 1:52:21; THOMAS BUKER, 1:22:38; DERRICK BURKETT, 1:48:32; SARAH BURKETT, 1:48:32; KATHY CAMICK, 1:07:19; TAMI CAMPBELL, 1:49:23; WILLIAM CAMPBELL, 1:05:01; KIM CAPOGRECA, 2:00:52; JENNIFER CARPENTER, 1:21:49; JOHN CAVANAUGH, 1:45:57; CEDRIC CHING, 1:23:29; CHRISTINE CROTTY, 1:42:21; WALTER DAY, 1:19:10; JONATHAN DEA, 2nd Military, 57:32:00; KERSTIN DEA, 3rd OA, 57:07:00; DAVID DUNKLE, 1:20:00; KIMBERLY DUNSCOMBE, 2nd, 30-34, 1:02:43; ELIZABETH ESPINOZA, 1:34:15; RANDAL FARNER, 56:16:00; CARRIE FAST, 1:49:47; BRANDY FELGAR, 1:17:16; DRU FILIBERTO, 2:03:59; BILL FLOYD, 1:29:55; KATHY GAY, 1:30:35; KEVIN GLASS, 1:31:02; JULIE GLOVER, 1:46:04; LAURIE GOLDEN, 1:33:52; KELLY GORMAN, 1:46:06; JORGE GRANADOS, 1:24:08; MARIA GRANADOS, 1:36:14; MARGARET HARRISON, 1:29:42; AMY HART, 2:09:11; AUDREY HART, 1:47:10; JEFFREY HEDRICK, 1:09:44; KATY HERMAN, 2:05:46; COLLETTE HEUSINKVELD, 2:05:45; JOY HUNKINS, 1:29:41; LAUREN HUNKINS, 1:28:55; BONNIE JESENSKY, 1:19:55; KEVIN  JESENSKY, 1:19:54; ASHLEY JOHNSON, 2:04:08; BRIGITTE JOHNSON, 2:04:08; DOUGLAS JOHNSON, 1:48:10; KIRA JURANEK, 1:30:19; SARAH KEATING, 1:32:01; DAYNA KORNS, 1:23:55; SERENA LEDIG, 1:47:22; JACQUELINE MANCINI, 1:07:56; SARA MAYER, 1:45:31; CATHY MCDOUGALL, 1:18:07; JEFF MCDOUGALL, 1:17:00; JOAN MEADOWS, 1:25:13; MICHAEL MELTON, 1:11:51; AUSTIN MILLER, 1:32:39; LISA MILLER, 1st 50-54, 1:08:45; MARY NEMES, 1:47:09; ANA NESBITT, 1:57:29; SUSAN O'CONNELL, 1:26:15; DIANNE ORTT, 1:42:10; CONNIE PAXSON, 1:24:08; KATE PIERCE, 1:28:55; RANDALL PIERCE, 1:20:14; DAVID POPE, 1:47:25; ERIC PROUDFOOT, 1:11:53; JENNIFER RANNINGS, 1:47:10; MARLA RHODES, 1:39:40; TYLER RUSSELL, 1:11:40; LAURA SARDELLA, 1:33:08; JOHN SCHMIDT, 1:48:30; DOUGLAS SCHULTHESS, 1:44:26; JONATHAN SEIBERT, 1:21:49; AUDREY SMITH, 1:49:23; JAMES SMITH, 1:43:59; CANDY SMITH, 1:13:52; DONNA SOYK, 1:36:09; DONNA STRAKA, 1:22:38; MARY STRICKLER, 2:09:17; CHRISTY TAGYE, 1:17:01; KEVIN TERRY, 1:25:59; DAVE VAN DUYNE, 1:03:37; TERESA VAYDA, 1:40:04; JONATHON WAECHTER, 1:25:44; SANDRA WALKER, 1:15:57; ROBIN WILLIAMS, 1:14:39; ANN WILLIAMSON, 1:34:14; STUART WILLIAMSON, 1:34:15; DOUGLAS YOUNGBLOOD, 1:27:23; PAULA  ZIMA, 1:42:10. Locals pose post-race under the Tower of Terror sign. From left to right: Stacey Biddix, Fiona Wright, Marla Rhodes, Lee Nessel. Photo courtesy Lee Nessel.

Complete 13K race results are available at:

http://results.active.com/pages/page.jsp?eventID=1438173

Check out FLORIDA TODAY Sports Editor Lee Nessel's story on night racing at:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071028/SPORTS05/710280332/1002/SPORTS

It was a perfect evening for mischief and magic and there was plenty of both as close to 800 runners ran through the streets of Cocoa Village at last night's Pumpkins in the Park 5K. While most of the fleet-footed crowd dressed up as runners, spectators cheered the loudest for the smattering of witches, fairies and ghosts who flew by.

The course, which wound out and back along Rockledge Drive and some of its side streets, was a familiar one for overall winner, Doug Butler. He and his wife, Rhonda,  had first laid it out for their own race, Mardi Gras 5K, more than a decade ago and it was the first to break the 1,000 mark. Doug's win seemed an appropriate tribute for the hard work he and Rhonda continually provide to further running in Brevard County.

Butler, now 44, ran alone to the finish, crossing the line in 16:21. Ron Able, 22, came through 33 seconds later, taking second in 16:54. 17-year-old Jonathan Brasch was third in 17-flat. Mike Wasson, 41, who had taken the overall win at both Fall Into Winter 5K and Zachary Project 5K had to settle for Master's with his 17:26.

On the ladies' side, Jessica Crate, 22, made it three for three with her 18-flat victory, getting oh-so-close to breaking the 18 mark. Now living in Orlando, Caitlin Reese, 25, finished second in 18:28 and Holy Trinity Academy cross country team member, Melissa Jones, took third in 19:17. Also making it three for three was Jackie Clifton, 45, who took the Master's top spot.

Last night's race was number two in the Running Zone Racing Series and this year Don and Denise Piercy, owners of Running Zone, are placing special emphasis on getting the younger generation involved. Each of their races are offering discounted prices to the elementary and junior high set as well as providing the schools with six-week training plans for each event. A record 180 kids, 14 and under, crossed the Pumpkins finish line with 54 of them from Manatee elementary alone. Other schools participating included Park Avenue Christian Academy; Divine Mercy; Jefferson, Indialantic and West Shore.   Kudos to the Piercys for getting this moving in the schools and congrats to all who raced and volunteered.

Complete race results are available at www.runningzone.com

Ya gotta love a couple who blows off their pre-wedding day jitters by running a local 5K. Kudos to Greg DeStefano (top left, Kelly Hedgespeth photo) and Michelle Cochran (right, left in photo with bridesmaids, Kelly Hedgespeth phto) for their overall first and second place wins at last Saturday’s Fall Into Winter 5K and congrats on their marriage just a few hours later at the Cocoa Beach Hilton. If the name DeStafeno sounds familiar it is because his name was at the top of the winner’s list of several of the local races in the 1998-99 timeframe. The couple resides in Texas.

West Melbourne’s Mike Wasson, who went 18:04, had to settle for second after winning last week’s Zachary Project 5K. Gary Guerrero was third in 18:13.

On the ladies side, Jessica Crate repeated last week’s win with her 19:19 on the soft, slopey sands of Cocoa Beach. Michelle Cochran and Christy Nielson were second and third respectively with their times of 20:18 and 20:43. Complete race results here: http://mahoney4.home.netcom.com/scr/races/07fiw.txt

CONGRATULATIONS!!
SAGE LAJOIE
OVERALL FEMALE  AT THE 2007
GREAT FLORIDIAN
IRONMAN-DISTANCE
11:17:48

Joe Bonness can't possibly be human, can he? After winning the 50-54 age group and taking 199 OA in Kona just one week ago with his 9:46:36 (photo of Joe on the Hawaiian course last weekend), he has again pulled another back-to-back by winning today's Great Floridian in 9:38:34 over in Clermont.  This was his fourth GFT victory. And, last week's Hawaiian race was his 14th Ironman World Championship race in a row.  Look for Joe at Ironman Florida next month as well. You can learn more about Smokin' Joe at http://ironjoe3.triathletesonline.com/?pp=1

As of 6:50 p.m., no other results are available from Sommer Sports.

Speedy O'Cheetah tossed us the photo at left.  Do you see a pair of Haine's men's undies or a sports bra?  The answer could say a lot about you and the life you live or want to live.  Whatever...the undies bra might one day be the styling look of a new generation. Various colors and styles, including push-up, may soon be found at a Victoria's Trailer Park near you.

Lots o’ racing this weekend. The shortest and closest to home is the Fall Into Winter 5K kicking off Saturday at 7:30 a.m. at Coconuts on the beach at the corner of A1A and Minuteman in Cocoa Beach. The 3.1-mile beach run is the second of the Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year series.

Farther west in Clermont, locals competing in the 17^th annual Great Floridian Triathlon, an Ironman distance consisting of a 2.4-mile swim; 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run, may be thankful they did lots of long runs and rides in Florida’s summer heat. A medical advisory was issued Tuesday warning athletes they may be facing record high temperatures on race day and another first for the event may be the ban on wetsuits as Lake Minneola was still at 79 degrees on Monday.
 

A bit of good news is that, due to bridge construction, the bike course is reverting back to one loop and the back half of the course will take participants west onto the flatter roads of Sumter county after, of course, riding the usual quad-thumping hills such as Sugarloaf.
 

Good luck to Sage (photo left) and Brian LaJoie who are using this race as their Ironman debut. Brian is currently planning to start the race but may be forced to withdraw early due to a fracture he sustained two weeks ago.

An hour after the Ironman athletes take the plunge, those doing the half, or the Florida Challenge, will also enter Lake Minneola to start their 1.2-mile swim; 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. Locals registered to compete include Ed Donner, who is also registered for the 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater next month; Robert French, Gary Ganiban, John Lothrop and Guy Thibodeau.

Clermont and Lake Minneola will also play host the same morning to those doing the Floridian Sprint consisting of a ¼-mile swim, mostly flat 8-mile bike and 2-mile run. Locals signed up include Annette Armstrong, Andrew Barnes, Jeff Hedrick, Scott Krasny, Peter Petracco, Keith Profit and Robin Williams.  No, not THAT Robin Williams.

On Sunday, UCF is the place for the U Can Finish 5-miler and 2-mile race. Odd that the school which was known as U CAN’T FINISH for more than two decades would host such an event. J  The race is number three in the Track Shack Grand Prix Series and there are several locals who are in the top five of their age groups going into this race. Current local rankings include Ralph Miller, 5^th, 50-54; Kara Niedermeier, 5^th, 30-34 and also 2^nd overall in last season’s and this season’s Runner of the Year series; Rebecca Sparks, 2^nd, 40-44; Sue Strout, 1^st, 50-54; Ed Springer, 1^st 30-34 and Mike Wasson, 4^th, 40-44. Wasson (left) won last Saturday’s Zachary Project 5K, giving him the male lead in the SCR ROY series.

Good luck to all!!

Those who live on the beach just got a lucky break. Coach Ed Nessel (left) has moved his Master's swim program, Space Coast Aquanauts, out to the Cocoa Beach pool and invites all who wish to improve to come out and join them. Ed provides his expertise on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m.  This is good stuff for any swimmer or triathlete who wishes to take their game up a notch.  Check out Ed's website at www.movingthroughwater.com or contact him at ednessel@aol.com or 253-0906.

Last Saturday, several locals ran in the John Holmes Trail Runs, otherwise known as Croom’s 50K and 15-mile fun run in Brooksville. Brevard was well represented with Kerstin Dea, 1^st OA 50K, 4:54:02 and her husband, Jonathan Dea, 2^nd 25-29, 15-miler, 2:21:14; (post-race photos of Deas left) Matt Mahoney, 1^st 50-59, 50K, 4:40:35 and Scott Maxwell, 50K, 5:25:46.
 

The Deas do quite a bit of trail running and have offered the following invitation for those who may wish to join them as they train for the Space Coast Marathon:

Kerstin writes "we have also done some of our long training runs for the Space Coast Marathon on trails at Hal Scott Regional Preserves and Park in Orange County, which we think is a great place for running because the trails are grassy or made of harder sand and wide enough not to leave you covered in spider webs. The flatwoods and prairie are beautiful and a nice change to running on busy roads on the coast. If any other runners are interested in doing a 20-mile training run (or less, as the park offers three loops of trails, which can either be connected or run by themselves), we are going out there again on November 4th for the last really long run before the Space Coast Marathon and would be happy about some company. We will try to start running at 7 a.m.  Our telephone # is 321 406 9215." 

Drier air and a freshening east wind ushered in today’s Zachary Project 5K, the first race of the Space Coast Runners 10-race Runner of the Year series. While familiar names were inked on the podium spots of the men’s race, the ladies event found one of last year’s top runners sandwiched between two newcomers.

The lead was taken early by a tight pack of three which included Steve Hedgespeth, Series winner in 2005 and 2006; Ron Abel, last year’s Series runner-up and Mike Wasson who, after taking the top points in three series races, had to back off due to inury. (Wasson left, #1170, heads for the 1:17:14 win at the 2005 Black Forest, CO 20K) At the first vantage point from the timing clock, Hedgespeth was leading Abel and Wasson into the headwind on the first loop. At the same spot on the second and longer loop, Abel had moved to the front before the trio rounded the corner and slipped out of sight. Spectators realized how close the race could be as they charged back into view - sprinting full-out for the finish.

And just like last year’s first season race, Wasson kicked hard enough to hold off the others, crossing the line in 17:08. Abel sped in four seconds later for second in 17:12, and one second ahead of Hedgespeth, who took third with his 17:13.

Not far behind, in sixth place overall, Jessica Crate (left in photo taken from FSU team bio) zipped through the finish, taking the women’s race in 18:29 as people nearby wondered who she was. Less than two months ago the 22-year old pharmaceutical sales rep moved to Rockledge from Tallahassee, where she had competed on FSU’s cross country and track teams.

One minute and twenty-five seconds later, last year’s series runner-up, Kara Niedermeier, ran down the chute, again breaking 20 and taking second place with her 19:54. After leading Niedermeier through most of the race, Cathy Friedel, a newcomer to the area from Maryland, said ‘uncle’ to an asthma attack, but not before taking third in 20:04 and then being treated by paramedics at the finish.

Complete race results on are on-line at
http://www.runningzone.com/results.html?PHPSESSID=299dd85d7e903ea49360d99815c95d63

The FLORIDA TODAY article below proves that runner Nancy Cross (left at pre-race dinner before the Hatfield-McCoy Marathon) has the brains and talent to equal her athletic talent and beauty.  CONGRATS, Nancy!!!

M.I. teacher finalist for presidential award

BY KATE BRENNAN
FLORIDA TODAY

MERRITT ISLAND — Merritt Island High School math teacher Nancy Cross has been named one of three Florida finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.

Cross, the math chair at MIHS, will be recognized during the Florida Council of Mathematics Teachers annual conference in Orlando, which begins tomorrow and lasts through Saturday. Her portfolio is being sent to Washington, D.C., where a committee will select Florida’s national winner.

“We congratulate Ms. Cross on this exceptional accomplishment,” said Superintendent Richard DiPatri. “She is a wonderful example of the talented and dedicated teachers we have in our classrooms.”

The awards are the nation’s highest honors for teachers of math and science and recognize kindergarten through high school teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Since 1983, more than 3,700 outstanding teachers have been recognized for their contributions to math and science education.

Brevard has had four secondary state winners since the start of the program, and two of the four were named national winners.

No one said being an athlete was easy. If it was, there might not be an obesity epedemic in our country. Even in the best of conditions, it takes a lot of hard effort to get to the finish line and when Mother Nature  has PMS - watch out!

Yesterday's weather at Health First Triathlon in Melbourne, Chicago Marathon in Chicago; Race for the Taste 10K at Disney and the Army 10-Miler in Washington, D.C. forced all athletes to dig even deeper and some race organizers to roll out contingency plans.

WHO MOVED THE BUOYS?

Bumpy chop, tiresome winds and slick roads presented extra challenges for those participating in yesterday’s fifth annual Health First Triathlon. Nevertheless, athletes and volunteers alike gave it their best and several locals took the top spots at the finish. Read the FLORIDA TODAY account by Mark DeCotis at:

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071008/SPORTS/710080337/1002/SPORTS

In the Olympic distance, Melbourne Beach’s Tricia Rydson (above left in blue, dives into the water; Ken Horton photo) took second overall in 2:44:51 and Suzie Enlow, of Merritt Island, took Masters (40+) in 2:56:47. Complete Olympic results are available at:

http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2007results/healthfirstODtriathlon100707.html

Palm Bay’s Kim Hunger (left, Ken Horton photo) grabbed the top spot in the sprint with her 1:30:45 while Melbourne’s Ed Donner took the #2 men’s spot in 1:20:37. Jackie Clifton, of Palm Bay, was third overall in 1:32:30 and Merritt Island’s Sue Matschner took Masters in 1:32:52. Complete sprint results can be viewed at:

http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2007results/healthfirstsprinttriathlon100707.html

Ken Horton’s great race photos can be viewed and utilized for blogs and journals at:

http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run071007/index.php

I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE WINDY CITY?

The wind would have been welcomed at yesterday's 30th annual La Salle Banks Chicago Marathon. Instead, record-breaking temperatures forced race organizers to utilize a never-before-used contingency plan and cancel the race early.

Runners who had not reached the halfway point -the 13.1 mile mark near Halsted and Adams-by 11:45 a.m. were stopped and those, along with others who were voluntarily dropping out, were allowed to board Chicago Transit Authority cooling buses to get back to the start.  The rest were told by firefighters and police that the race was over and to the finish.

Even with the busses; extra ice and sponges at all aid stations; additional medical support; open fire hydrants and spectators spraying participants with hoses, more than 300 athletes were taken to local hospitals by ambulance  and one person died on the course where temperatures reached 88 degrees.  The previous record high for this event was 86 degrees in 1982.

Although race registration closed out at 45,000 in April, close to 10,000 chose not to start the event and just under 11,000 did not finish.

And while the heat played the leading role in the marathon drama, the real nail biter emerged as Kenya's Patrick Ivuti and Morocco's Jaouad Gharid broke away at mile 23 and then ran elbow to elbow, breaking into an all-out sprint with about 400 meters to go. At the finish it was Ivuti who got the nod with his 2:11:11:00. Gharid had to settle for second with his 2:11:11:05 (Chicago Marathon press release photo at left). Last year's women's winner, Berhane Adere of Ethiopa, successfully defended her title in 2:33:49.

Locals who toughed it out included Cathy Czyzewski, 5:18:18; George Haddad, 4:27:57; Jeremy Hutcherson, 4:32:58; Rick Kendust, 4:14:44 and James Shaffer, 3:36:21.

PUT SOME PANTS ON DONALD DUCK!

More than 2,500 wound their way through steamy heat and Disney Parks at yesterday's Race for the Taste 10K. The event was held in conjunction with Epcots Food and Wine Festival and finishers were treated to festival cuisine and reduced ticket prices for Epcot or Animal Kingdom. Among the crowds were 96 locals and Cocoa's Danny Barrett turned Brevard's fastest time with his 40:27 and 18th overall finish.(Danny, left, I Run for Pizza 5K, Ken Horton photo.)

Other locals completing the 6.2-mile run included ANDREA ABREU, 1:00:05; JORGE ABREU, 46:56:00; JAMES ANDERS, 1:20:16; LINDSAY ANDERS, 1:25:01; LUC ANDREO, 54:26:00; ALBERTO ARAUJO, 55:44:00; CHERYL AVENA, 1:15:01; MICHAEL BAKER, 44:32:00; LAURA BARNES, 1:17:58; DANIEL BARRETT, 40:27:00; SUSAN BEARDE, 1:16:40; CHRIS BEATTIE, 1:14:44; DANA BEATTIE, 1:26:53; BRIDGET BEITEL, 1:27:04; JENNIFER BENT, 1:26:57; TARA BISHOP, 1:15:00; RENE BROWN, 1:27:25; ANNA CLARK, 1:13:09; SHANNON DALY, 1:09:24; LAURA DARANCOU, 1:26:19; MARY DAUGHERTY, 1:36:02; "ROY DAUGHERTY, 1:06:14; CHERYL DAY, 1:26:46; ANNIE DIXON, 1:05:26; MARK DIXON, 1:05:09; AMY FARNER, 1:28:34; RANDAL FARNER, 47:28:00; DRU FILIBERTO, 1:25:47; SUSAN FINCH, 1:08:59; LYNNDA FLOYD, 1:09:30; CORBYN GALLOWAY, 1:23:37; JULIE GLOVER, 1:23:09; EILEEN GOODE, 1:21:34; STEPHANIE GOODE, 1:21:35; HOLLY GREENE, 1:05:38; JO LEA HEARN, 1:19:26; NICOLE HIERBAUM, 1:23:37; RANDY HIERBAUM, 46:21:00; KAREN HORNER, 1:05:34; STEPHEN HORNER, 1:13:27; SUE HOYT, 1:03:05; MARIA HUFF, 1:05:26; TERESA HUFF, 47:28:00;  JOSEPH HULTGREN, 44:13:00; MARK JACKSON, 45:36:00;BONNIE JESENSKY, 1:06:14; KEVIN JESENSKY, 1:06:14; ELVIRA JOHNSON, 59:05:00; DAVID JOHNSON, 56:39:00; MORRIS JOHNSON, 1:25:02; PATRICIA JOHNSON, 57:50:00; CATHERINE KOOS, 1:17:45; CHRIS KRAFT, 1:00:16; DEL LAFRANCE, 1:27:32; JOE LAFRANCE, 1:35:21; JEANETTE LUCAS, 1:28:56; JACOB MARTIN, 1:02:58; JUAN MARTINEZ ALVEZ, 1:12:09; SAMUEL MILLER, 50:07:00; JENNIFER MIRENDA, 1:27:49; LINDA MOYNIHAN, 1:12:24; RYAN MULCAHY, 53:35:00; LISA MYER, 1:27:56; ROSE MYERS, 1:02:49; MARY NEMES, 1:25:40; SUSAN NOLAN, 1:09:38; KATHY OJEDA, 52:56:00; DIANNE ORTT 1:15:16; KIMBERLY PEADEN, 58:58:00; STEPHANIE PEADEN, 1:27:18; SAMANTHA ROUSH, 1:20:46; JADE RYMKOS, 59:30:00; JEANNE SCHROEDER, 54:31:00; NICOLE SCOTT, 1:39:04; WALTER DAY, 58:11:00; JANEL SINGER, 1:05:58; MICHAEL SINGER, 1:05:58; PATTI SPONSLER, 53:01:00; DREW SPRAY, 50:25:00; VICTOR STEUERWALD, 1:18:48; CANDY THOMAS, 1:15:59; SHERRY TOMS, 56:48:00; JESSICA VANATTA, 1:17:09; JENNIFER VANDENDRIESSCHE, 1:33:16; SANDRA WALKER, 56:36:00; JILLIAN WALSH, 1:27:30; ALEXA WALTER, 1:01:03; ASHLEY WALTER, 1:05:10; ANTHONY WEBSTER, 1:04:09; ROBIN WEISS, 1:27:04; JASON WHITE, 57:47:00; MICHAEL WILKES, 1:05:16; AMY WILLIAMS, 1:24:27; ROB WILLIAMS, 1:24:27; TODD WIRSCH, 41:50:00.

MUST WE SALUTE?

More than 25,000 showed up at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. yesterday to compete in the Army 10-miler and three locals joined the friendly military-initiated rivaly. Del Hughes led the charge in 1:20:45 followed by Ginger Murphy in 1:33:04. Col. John Murphy finished in 1:43:42. (Left, Murphys stretch it out)

Congrats to Annie O'Conner-Smith (top left) and Mike Smith (bottom left) who completed the Escapse from Miami triathlon on Sept. 23. Annie finished in 3:26:21 and Mike in 3:09:17. Below is Mike's take on the race:

Sunday, Sept. 23 was the third annual Escape to Miami Triathlon.  It is a fun, urban course and is becoming very popular.  Almost 1000 people signed up and 800 started.  The course is Olympic distance (0.93-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike, 6.2-mile run) and is set in downtown Miami on the Intercoastal waterway. 

We were ferried out to "Escape Island" between Miami & Miami Beach by folks dressed as pirates while another pirate was in charge of crowd control on the island.  The race started about 45 minutes late and hundreds of folks sort of hung out on the island's beach.  There was a mass start & we were off.  We encountered a slight current and some wind and chop, but the water was clear and warm and made for a pleasant swim.

The bike course went over the I-195 causeway.  They had closed off all the streets that were involved.  A steady wind hurt the bike splits overall.  The course had a set of three bridges that had to be crossed four times each. 

The run was punishing.  By the time it started, the temperature and the humidity were both in the high eighties.  The course was scenic enough and it went across the causeway past Parrot Jungle and the cruise ships.  We were along water most of the way but many of the people walked and all of the times were slow.

At 3.5 hours into the race, the skies opened up.  Some folks were still finishing while most were getting their stuff from transition.  No one seemed to care about the torrential downpour since their core body temperatures were mostly still off the charts and the rain was a welcome relief. Annie and I received nice medals but finished nowhere near the podium even though awards went 5 deep.