Ron Abel is a gentleman warrior. He will fight to the end, step-by-step, to race the fastest time possible yet be the first to congratulate or encourage his competition. His biggest battle, though, has been in the quest to defeat thyroid cancer. After undergoing surgery and radiation, he once again must go under the knife on Thursday so physicians can remove what they didn't get the first time. And once again, Ron is focused on encouraging others. Below is the note he asked us to post:

Keep up all your great work! It's always so nice to get up on a Saturday morning and get ready for a race not knowing who will be there and what type of race I will have; meaning will I win it from the start? Will I have to work for it all through the check points? Or will it be a match to the finish with the finishing kick to decide the winner?

I believe that everyone has greatness in them. Just being out there is a great accomplishment and, award or not, everyone is a winner in my eyes. It does sadden me, though, to find out that Mike Wasson will not be returning to the racing scene next year.

Also wanted to say GREAT JOB to all of the Up & Running team members who have steadily dropped their times race after race.

Well, in closing, I will miss you all as I go into recovery but will be out there to cheer on all of you inspiring runners. Good luck and God speed to all of you out there. Remember to stay injury free and Run Happy!!! :)

Sincerely,

Your fellow runner, Ron Abel

Our thoughts and prayers are with Ron and his doctors and we hope to see him ripping up the roads again soon!

Maybe it was the perfect weather. Maybe it was Doug Butler bringing his 'A game' to the race. Either way, yesterday's Run for the Light 5K turned out some pretty fast times.

In the men's race, Jonathan Brasch, 17, last week's Winter Blast winner, and Butler, 44, dueled it out with Mike Wasson, 42, and Steve Hedgespeth, 29, mixing it up. As the race progressed, experience and cunning trumped youth and Butler had put 30 seconds on the boys as he hit the line in 16:03. Thirty seconds later Hedgespeth pulled in at 16:33, followed by Wasson in 16:39. Art Anderson,  48, added another award to his Master's collection with his 18:09 finish. (Oh, yeah, Brasch didn't fade too badly-he came in fourth with a 16:51. Photo left: Jonathan Brasch tails Doug Butler - photo by Ken Horton.

On the ladies side, Jessica Crate, 22, continued her complete dominance on the local field as she put 49 seconds on the rest of the women, finishing in 18:27. Looked like the real women's race was for second as Kara Niedermeier, 30, and Tracie Smith, 34) shadowed one another to the finish. With a one second nod, Smith took second in 19:16 with the third going to Niedermeier for her 19:17. Cathy Friedel, 45, grabbed Master's in 20 flat. Photo left: Jessica Crate tries to lose Art Anderson.

Complete race results at http://mahoney4.home.netcom.com/scr/races/08runforthelight.txt

The race was number six in the 10-race Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year series. Updates for series points and standings will be availalbe at http://www.spacecoastrunners.org/roy.html

To see the race unfold pictorially, check out Barry Jones shots at http://trihokie.smugmug.com/gallery/4230400#247435865 and also check out Ken Horton's race shots at http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run080126/index.php Special thanks to Ken for allowing us to use his race shots on this site. Check out all his racing and surfing pics at http://www.icunphotos.com/

Further west, a number of local athletes lined up in Winder Park with more than 2,600 others for the start of the Season's 52 Park Avenue 5K, race number five in the seven-race Track Shack Grand Prix series. Ed Springer, 30, (photo left) turned in Brevard's fastest time with his 17:52 and Sue Strout, 53, brought home the top female local time as well as a second place age group award with her 22:35.

Other locals who finished include Ghayas Ahmed, 31:04; Cathy Church, 45:53; Scott Church, 45:53; James Faircloth, 26:51; Hunter Grose, 25:26; Jenny Harper, 28:28; Liane Ivey, 32:52; Kristin Kelley, 28:02; Henry Lesky, 30:15; Scott Loubier, 32:13; Brendan Mertz, 23:10; Cory Patrick, 26:43; Ruth Rubinfine, 38:18. Alicia Saunders, 24:49; Becky Tielking, 26:51; Lizz Tielking, 25:29; Jenifer Van Den Driess, 41:03.

Complete race results at: http://www.trackshack.com/events/race_results/view_results_gp07.php?Link=176

Those who like car racing - or have spouses who like car racing - may want to consider running next year's Daytona 5K which takes place right on the Daytona International Speedway. Cost of the race includes technical t-shirt, two-day pass to the Rolex 24 and tons of unusual breakfast goodies and hot coffee. The latter being much appreciated with yesterday's cold and windy drizzle.

Titusville's Danny Taurasi, 17, warmed his engine sufficiently to grab Brevard's top time in 18:25 while Kathy Ojeda's 24:10 gave her the fastest local female time.

Other from Brevard include Thomas Casey, 27:35; Jo Ellen Diers, 40:24; Jamie Ellisor, 24:08; Victor Ellisor, 22:25; Randy Farner, 3rd 40-44, 19:52; Jamie Forrest, 28:57; Ian Hardos, 26:45; Joseph Hereau, 28:14; Brandon Holst, 26:39; Kurt Holst, 22:22; Barbara Krause, 26:31; David Langhorne, 34:08; Aaron Larson, 23:58; Scott Larson, 23:58; Brian McCurdy, 27:12; Shey McCurdy, 33:33; Doug Moran, 31:37; Gretchen Moran, 29:48; Tynesha Morgan, 39:58; Rik Ojeda, 31:05; Jim Schaeffer, 20:59; Charlie Smutko, 19:50; Patti Sponsler, 24:40; David Taurasi, 22:50; Tommy Taurasi, 18:38; Glen Webb, 29:58; Hank Wielgosz, 26:04.

Complete race results at: http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2008results/daytona5k012608.html

Finally, five locals made the trek to historic St. Augustine to compete in the classic Matanzas 5K. Chris Rego, 18, led the local charge, clocking a 16:24 and taking first in the 15-18 age group.  Other competitors include Nancy Rowan, 28:31; Rory Rowan, 19:24; Ashley Turcot, 28:29 and Marty Winkel, 23:34

Complete results at http://www.1stplacesports.com/matanzas08res.htm

CONGRATS to all who raced and volunteered this weekend!

Space Coast Triathletes is looking to fill three vacancies this year: President, Secretary and Race Director. If you or anyone you know is interested in applying for one of these positions, please contact any one of the following current SCT officers:

President: Phil Moore, pmoore@cfl.rr.com
Vice President: Suzanne Coullias, SCoullias@cfl.rr.com
Treasurer: Pam Maxwell, Treasurer – pmaxwell1@cfl.rr.com
Secretary: Kerrie Lynch, kfelder@cfl.rr.com

Cannondale is recalling the 2008 'Scalpel' cross-country mountain bikes because the frame can break while in use. OUCH! The recall includes the following models: 8AVPFR, Scalpel frameset; 8VPO, Scalpel team; 8VP1, Scalpel 1 and 8VP2, Scalpel 2.

The bike were sold by authorized Cannondale dealers from Oct. 2007 through Dec. 2007 and were made in the United States. Consumers have been notified and Cannondale or an authorized dealer will provide a free replacement frame.

Contact Cannondale at 800-245-3872 or visit their website at www.cannondale.com

Hernan Rojas - yep, the guy who was bitten by a squirrel while training on his bike for Ironman- forwarded a link to a  really sad story that gives a whole new meaning to the term 'couch potato'.  http://www.wftv.com/news/3643877/detail.html

 
More than 900 runners and walkers competed in one of three fog-shrouded races on Saturday, spanning Brevard county from Titusville to Melbourne.

Starting north, the GEF Light the Way 5K, benefitting the Gilchrist Educational Foundation, kicked off its second year with 300 participants lining up for the little rollers on the Park Avenue course. In spite of pulling a 2:57 - Brevard's fastest time - at last Sunday's Disney Marathon, West Melbourne's Mike Wasson(left at the SCC 15K) led the pack through the finish of the 3.1-mile course in 16:38. Satellite Beach's Ron Abel was second in 16:52 and 50 seconds later Titusville's Tommy Taurasi took third in 17:42. Melbourne's Art Anderson took Master's and sixth overall in 18:20 before jumping in his car and speeding south to also compete in the Winter Blast 5K in Rockledge.

As Anderson ran to his car, Titusville's Devin Spoerle crossed the line in 18:47, taking the first of the spreadout top three women's spots. Kara Niedermeir, of Cape Canaveral, pulled in for second in 19:51, followed for third by Merritt Island's Nancy Buonanni, in 20:48. Suzie Enlow, also of Merritt Island, took Master's in 22:08.

Special mention must be made of two runners who truly did Light the Way in Titusville for their courage and determination to live quality lives in spite of adversity.  Despite recent surgery and ongoing radiation for returning cancer, Susan Slayman again finished the race and Randall Crosby, totally blind for three years, completed the event with the help of a sighted guide. Thanks to both of thse runners for the inspiration!

In Rockledge, it seemed fitting that Rockledge high school senior, Jonathan Brasch, obliterated the Winter Blast field, running alone and taking the overall win and the top male high school spot in 16:52. Proceeds from the race are going to the RHS cross country and track teams - Brash is a member of both.

Some of the finish line spectators then murmured comments of surprise as, gasp, a female took second overall. Those who have watched her clean house this season were not so surprised to see Jessica Crate cross the line in 18:17. Holy Trinity's Melissa Jones took the top female high school award in 19:26.

Jones would have been second female overall but race organizers chose not to go three deep in the overall nor did they give awards any deeper than first in the age groups, though they did ask the second and third place age group finishers to be recognized and pose in the photo at left.

The race did, however, provide Master's awards and Art Anderson, who had run in the Titusville 5K only one hour earlier, collected his second trophy of the day with his 18:47. Vicki Snyder, of Rockledge, took the female Master's with her 23:09.

Other fun facts about the Winter Blast runners include Melbourne's Matt Mahoney biking to and from the race, a round-trip distance of 43 miles, and taking second in the 50-54 ag. RC and Susie Koontz, who completed their 15th Disney Marathon last weekend, completed their ninth Winter Blast. That is tenacity!

Large crowds again showed up for the 2nd Harris Family Medical Center 5K, open to Harris Corporation employees and their families. A familiar name, Steve Hedgespeth(Downtown Melbourne 5K photo, left), led nearly 500 participants across the line as he took the win in 17:00. More than a minute later, Erik Fagan cruised in for second in 18:16 followed for third by Todd Wirsch in 18:54.

On the ladies side, Ashley Shiver clocked a 19:58 for the win followed for second by Mary Failla in 23:39. Anne OConnor-Smith was third in 23:52.

Complete results for all three races can be found at http://www.runningzone.com/results.html?PHPSESSID=cde901ccf55e07e5f69b299a8009f4c6

FLORIDA TODAY article on the two events open to the public at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20080121&Category=NEWS030901&ArtNo=80121023&Ref=AR

CONGRATS to all who raced and volunteered!

Even with his 2:20:56 Walt Disney World Marathon win - his fifth in six years - Brazilian Adriano Bastos has nothing on the six locals who completed the inaugural race in 1994 and have gone on to finish an additional 14, making them members of a dwindling group who were awarded "Perfect 15" plaques after Sunday's race.

Those local 'Perfect 15' club members include Miles Green, 57, Palm Bay, 6:44:18; Elvira Johnson, 51, Palm Bay, 5:21:54; R.C. Koontz, 61, Merritt Island, 6:09:39; Susie Koontz (left, with husband R.C., who walked #15 due to his knee needing complete replacement next month, 62, Merritt Island, 4:57:33, Mike Vincent, 52, Cocoa Beach, 5:04:24; and Joseph Werner, 50, Melbourne, 5:59:12.

For one 'Perfect 15' club member, 26.2 miles wasn't enough. Susie Koontz also ran the 13.1-mile half marathon the day before, picking up the coveted Goofy medal. Brevard residents joining her on the 39.3-mile jaunt included Chuck Beitel, 42, Titusville, 8:25:43; Brian Bridenbecker, 31, Palm Bay, 8:15:54; Walter Day, 55, Merritt Island, 7:59:51; Julia Dodson, 28, Palm Bay, 6:24:41; George Haddad, 47, Melbourne, 8:36:43;  Ed Hollar, 31, Palm Bay, 8:31:02; Lavonda Hollar, 35, Palm Bay,  8:31:01; Susie Koontz, 62, Merritt Island, 7:18:13; Vicki Logan, 45, Indian Harbour Beach, 8:11:19; Lisa Mark, 33, Indialantic, 10:12:33; Leslie Matthews, 43, Satellite Beach, 8:46:07; Doug McMahon, 40, Melbourne, 9:45:00; Mark Mcneely, 31, West Melbourne, 9:27:44; Debbie Molina, 53, Merritt Island, 7:23:31; John Rice, 51, Cocoa Beach, 9:47:08; James Schaffner, 43, Cape Canaveral, 5:40:24; Sandra Stevens, 35, Merritt Island,  8:36:29; Jeff Winterich, 40, Rockledge, 5:40:06.

While some concentrated on their mileage, others were focused on their times, hoping to run fast enough to earn a spot to the prestigious Boston Marathon. Those qualifying for the Beantown bounty include Danny Cochran, 46, Titusville, 3:19:55; Cathie Poor(left, in green fending off paparazzi), 46, Rockledge, 3:55:30; Lisa Roberts, 40, Melbourne, 3:48:00; Patricia Torpy, 48, Indialantic, 3:59:00; and Mike Wasson, 42, West Melbourne, who also posted Brevard's fastest time with his 2:57:51.

Complete results for local half marathon finishers can be found at:  http://www.coachbernie.org/id18.html

Complete results for local full marathon finishers can be found at:  http://www.coachbernie.org/id19.html

CONGRATS TO ALL WHO RACED!!!

If you are one of the ignorant or arrogant who choose not to use a helmet when you ride, then go ahead and ignore this recall.  For everyone else.....Specialized has recalled the 2D model, manufactured in China, because they failed testing required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The helmets were sold through authorized Specialized retailer and online stores between July and October 2007. Details: by phone at 877-808-8154; by Web at http://www.specialized.com or http://www.cpsc.gov

    1:24:08

   One night only!

   Complete info: http://marathonmovie.com/