RUNNING ON EMPTY?

Friday night brought an end to the 2007-08 Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year series as this season's officers, board members, award winners and their families enjoyed a catered meal and awards presentation in the festively decorated Indian Harbour Beach recreation center. This season's series challenged athletes with 10 races, awarding points to each runner based on their finish place. With distances ranging from 5K to the half marathon, a series award demanded versatility, persistence and consistent top performance.

But it wasn't all about racing, however. Each year, SCR presents $1,000 scholarships to one local male and female high school senior based on a written essay regarding how they have integrated running into their lives and what the sport means to them.  This year's recipients were Kirstin Clark, who goes to Space Coast Jr./Sr. High in Port St. John and Andrew Kramer, a senior at Astronaut in Titusville.Photo of winners, left, by Gene Ramba.  Robin Hernandez took the shot above this one. From left to right are 2007-08 SCR officers and Board members Cedric Ching, Secretary; Dave Hernandez; Mary Ramba; Carol Ball-President; Loran Serwin; Michelle Smurl; Cyndi Bergs; Marlene White-co-treasurer; Mo Johnson, co-treasurer; Marty Winkel, Vice-President. Not shown: Donna Neill and Charlie Van Etten. Without this crew, there would have been no series.  HUGE THANKS for your time and great efforts!

Also receiving special honors were Satellite Beach's Barbara Linton, who was awarded the Golden Shoe for all of the 'behind the scenes" effort she puts forth to ensure races find sponsorship and that the athletes enjoy the racing experience.  Cocoa's "Marathon Mary" Ramba was inducted into the Space Coast Runners Hall of Fame and is only the second woman to be included, not only for her running prowess, but for all the hard work she and her husband, Gene, have done to help increase the quality of running in Brevard county. As Frank Webbe said in his nomination letter, Mary "truly is the Brevard County ambassador for running." Gena Ramba photo of Carol Ball, SCR Prez, giving Mary Ramba the Hall of Fame award.

SERIES RACE WINNERS:

MALE: Overall: 1. Mike Wasson; 2. Steve Hedgespeth; 3. John Davis. Master (40+): Art Anderson. Grand Master (50+): Mike Dahan. Senior Grand Master (60+): Tom Ward. AGE GROUP: 10-14: 1. Noah Jacovitz; 2. Ryan Silva; 3. Michael Ellison. 20-24: 1. Rory Rowan; 2. Ron Abel. 30-34:  1. Ed Springer; 2. Tristen Webbe; 3. Jonathon Campbell. 35-39: 1. Stephen Chin; 2. Frank Kapr; 3. Howard Kanner. 40-44: 1. Dave Hernandez; 2. Doug Nichols. 45-49:   1. Roger Travis; 2. Kurt Holst; 3. Joe Hultgren; 4. Keith Kowalske. 50-54:1. Matt Mahoney; 2. Loran Serwin; 3. Michael Miller; 4. Jerry Bird; 5. Ralph Miller. 55-59: 1. Wolfgang Jensen; 2. Don Dore; 3. Bud Timmons. 60-64: 1. Gary Castner; 2. Dennis Dailey; 3. George McAfee; 4. Frank Webbe.65-59:1. Darwin Tangen. 70-75: 1. Bob Pecor; 2. Morris Johnson; 3. Henry Campbell. 75+: 1.JackLightle. Kelly Hedgespeth photo of, left to right, Mike Wasson, 1st; Steve Hedgespeth, 2nd and John Davis, 3rd.

FEMALE: Overall: 1. Jessica Crate; 2. Tracy Smith; 3. Kara Niedermeier; Master(40+): Nancy Buonanni; Grand Master (50+): Sue Strout; Senior Grand Master (60+): Mary Ramba. 9 and Under:1. Kaia Holmquist; 2. Rachel White. 10-14: 1. Alli Penovich; 2. Amanda Ellison; 3. Courtney Jacovitz. 25-29: 1. Brenna Ginther; 2. Donna Davis; 3. Jackie Schmoll. 30-34: 1. Tammy Foster; 2. Erin Schuck. 35-39: 1. Michelle Smurl; 2. Amy Minter. 40-44: 1. Robin Hernandez; 2. Cathy Friedel; 3. Sandra Gannon. 45-49: 1. Kimberly Badgett; 2. Theresa Miller; 3. Debra Johansen; 4. Lauren Wilkin. 50-54: 1. Nancy Sharp. 55-59: 1. Anne Dockery; 2. Anne Doerflein; 3. Jacquelyn Kellner. 60-64: 1. Susie Koontz. 65-69: 1. Joan Mahoney; 2. Katie Marsh. Gene Ramba photo at left of top female runners Jessica Crate, 1st and Tracy Smith, 2nd. Not shown: Third place finisher Kara Niedermeier.

YOUTH SERIES (Ran at least five of eight races): Chenna Cook, Ian Cook, Angela Ferebee, Noah Ginther, Kaia Holmquist, Nyssa Holmquist, Risa Holmquist, Solana Hosburgh, Rachel White, Madeline Zeuli. Robin Hernandez photo at left.

Check out complete on-line FLORIDA TODAY story on overall champion, Mike Wasson at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080518/SPORTS05/805180321/1002/SPORTS

Check out Robin Hernandez photo gallary of the event at
http://community.webshots.com/album/563475557WxerCE?vhost=community
Congrats to all the award winners and special props to the officers, board member and all of the other volunteers who make this series happen!

GETTING ALONG SWIMMINGLY

Is it years of muscle memory from her high school and collegiate swim career or is it the daily cross-fit classes she has been taking?  We don’t know.  What we do know is that Viera’s Lee Nessel, left, after a six-year layoff from competitive swimming, returned to Brevard today with six silver medals and one bronze that she earned in the 2008 YMCA Master’s National Swimming Championships at the Ft. Lauderdale aquatic complex in Broward county.

Nessel, who raced in the 30-34 age group, knocked out silver in the following events: 100-yard free, 55.65; 50-yard fly, 28.98; 50 back, 31.56; 50 free, 25.53; 100 IM, 1:06.43; 100 back, 1:08.13. The bronze came as she flew the 100-yard fly in 1:05.93.

Lee’s dad, Ed Nessel, didn’t do too badly either. The 63-year-old swim coach, pharmacist and author, took silver in the 200-yard breast in 2:41.12. He and the first-place finish broke the 2001 YMCA Master’s record of 2:41.92 set in 2001.

The elder Nessel also brought home bronze for his 1:20.60 100-yard breast.

Congrats to the swimmingly dynamic father-daughter duo!

HALF IRONMOUSE

The mouse house rocked today as more than 2,000 athletes began the Florida 70.3 Ironman at Walt Disney World this morning. The 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run offered finishers everything from $35,000 in prize money to qualifying spots for the 70.3 world championships to reaching the finish line with a smile and a huge sense of accomplishment.

Locals who finish today’s mighty hot race included Ray Boggs, 52, 6:54:53; Grover Brower, 50, 6:16:30; Rick Buck, 38, 5:38:47; Megan Campbell, 31, 6:26:45; Pete Carabetta, 60, 6:29:30; Ed Donner, 31, 5:09:06; Gary Ganiban, 45, 6:29:14; Elvira Johnson, 51, 7:37:37; Patricia Johnson, 28, 7:15:25; John Jordan, 44, 5:03:09; Brian LaJoie, 31, 5:28:57; Sage LaJoie, 29, 5:12:02, left; Mike Melton, 32, 6:22:46; Susie O’Connell, 56, 8:26:20; Trisha Rydson, 35, 5:31:20; Shawn Schaffner, 43, 5:53:54; Linda Smith, 6:01:22; Michelle Smurl, 39, 6:25:13; Christine Tripodi, 39, 6:10:01; Tommy Turek, 31, 6:58:35.

And, speaking of Ed Donner…Check out the June issue of Men’s Fitness for interview and photo of Ed as he made their ’25 Fittest Men in America’ list.

Congrats to all!

Titusville's Randall Crosby may be blind but he lives life larger and 'sees' more than those of us with perfect vision. He lives with the heart and guts of a lion. In his own - and unedited - stories, Randall shares what it is like to go rock-climbing and run road races when sight must be replaced with trust. Click on the “Running Blind” tab for latest adventure on the rocks in TN.

COW AND GECKO TIE AT WIRE!

The much-hyped race between Running Zone’s Zippy the Gecko and the Geico Gecko ended with a surprise on Saturday at the post-Gecko 5K fun run. While Zippy and the British fellow had trash-talked each other all week, it was the new cow in town, Chick-Fil-a, who made things interesting.

Now most would think that a bulky bovine would have nothing on two sleek salamander-sorts but no one could tell if it was Zippy or the chicken-muncher at the wire – it was udderly astonishing!  If you’ve got photo proof of who actually won, please e-mail it to us.

Photo at left shows a pensive post-race cow complaining to his coach and contemplating a rematch.

The Gecko 5K finish – the last of the five-race Running Zone Racing Series – also held a bit of a shock as Melbourne’s Chris Rego leveled the hammer on both Mike Wasson and James Stern during the third mile to take the win in 16:22. Strangely, it was identical to the time that he had also run less than 12 hours earlier at the RunningZone.com All-Class All-Star Showdown track meet at Holy Trinity. Rego’s race win also gave him the top spot in the Series, something that the 19-year-old rising sophomore hopes will help his resume as he goes out for a walk-on spot for the Florida State cross country team in August.  Good luck, Chris!

West Melbourne’s Wasson finished second in 16:47 with Melbourne’s Stern coming in for third at 17:03. Pat McCormick locked up Master’s in 18:24. Ken Horton photo shows, l to r, Mike Wasson and Chris Rego chasing James Stern.

Also taking the series with her win was Viera’s Jessica Crate, who took the women’s victory in 17:38; shutting out Kayla Hale’s attempt at a fifth straight Gecko victory and also breaking the 17:46 course record Hale set last year. 

In spite of illness and running 3,200 meters in 10:27 at the Showdown, Hale finished second in 17:53. Stern’s sister, Julianna, took third in 19:15 and the top female Master’s spot was grabbed by Ceal Muldoon-Walker in 19:28.

During the past four years, the race has donated more than $22,000 dollars to the local Team In Training and this year’s race proceeds will also go to the fine organization.

Congrats to Running Zone on their fifth anniversary and all who raced and volunteered!

Complete race results are at http://runningzone.com/results.html?id=474

FLORIDA TODAY race coverage is at

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805110325

Barry Jones, aka Trihokie and aka CB-ask him about it,  race photos at

http://trihokie.smugmug.com/gallery/4906555_QCiyA#293106568_w6xbg

Ken Houton race video at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIzS48dMCMY

Ken Houton race photos at

http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run080510/index.php

YOU DIRT BAGS!

1,250 teams of two people each got down and dirty at this year’s Muddy Buddy race at Walt Disney World in Orlando on Saturday. Each of the nine MB races throughout the U.S. features a six to seven-mile course as well as five obstacles.

The teams compete against one another in age categories where the age of the two team members is combined to determine where they will race.  Age groups are then further divided into male, female and coed categories.

Each team shares a bike - usually a mountain or hybrid variety - and both members must wear cycling helmets throughout the entire race. At the gun, one member will run to the first obstacle while the other rides. When the rider arrives, he or she will drop the bike, complete the obstacle and then begin running to the second one.  When the runner arrives, he or she will also do the obstacle, find the bike and begin riding. The team will continue to leapfrog one another until they come to the end of the race where both must crawl through the nasty Mud Pit and cross the finish line together.  Yum Yum! "Dirt Bags" Ed Springer and Ron Abel prove how muddy you and your buddy can get!

Locals who competed in Orlando include Beauty and the Beast, Charis Gaines and Rick Foresterire, 1:10:34; Clifthangers, Chris and Jackie Clifton, 3^rd coed 56-65, 46:29; Countdown Cyclists, Shelly Christian and Michelle Lyle, 2^nd female 96+; Dirt Bags, Ed Springer and Ron Abel, 1^st male 46-44; Fair Pair, Elizabeth Ring and Kara Niedermeier, 59:13; Funky Bunch, Shelby Kirk and Corrin Casper, 1:25:57; M&M’s, Molly and Morgan Kirk, 1:17:33; MI Mud Bud, Bill and Nancy Buonanni, 2^nd coed 48:44, 48:44; Pud Muddle, Cedric Ching and Chuck Allis, 1:00:41.

Congrats to all. Now go take a bath!

Check out the photos submitted by Ed Springer and Molly Kirk at http://www.flickr.com/photos/26063852@N05/

Complete Orlando results also available at http://www.www.muddybuddy.com/pdf/orlando/orlando2008.pdf

We apologize in advance to those locals we missed.  The results have no city identifiers so we could only list those names that we recognized.

MORE DIRTY DANCING!

This in from Steve Chin:

My friends and I enjoyed a trip this past weekend in Gnaw Bone, IN and I thought I would share to promote extreme trail running and an upcoming trail race in Florida.

http://www.danceswithdirt.com/

"Dances with Dirt" is extreme trail racing for Ultra's and relay teams. Soon to be added to the race series will be Wisconsin and Florida. I urge everyone who loves running to try one of these events.

Attached is a picture of our team "Dirt Surfers" (the only Florida representative): Left to right:  Logan Soya, Pat Renish, Team Captain Autumn Evans, Steve Chin and Heidi Joyce all from the Melbourne area.

Our motivator and driver Dale McGraw is behind the camera and took care of race day logistics.

We completed the 61.something mile run in 10:00:00 unofficially and came away with only minor injuries, cuts and scrapes.

Although I hated to miss Running Zone's Gecko 5K on Saturday, this race was a blast and a great experience. I hope to see more locals in the next one!

NOW WHO’S YOUR MAMA?

Racing closer to home were 1,200+ ladies who participated in this year’s Danskin Women’s Sprint Triathlon at Walt Disney World. Now in it’s nineteenth year – and ninth in Orlando – the nine-race series is the largest and longest running multi-sport series in the world.

Congrats to the following local ladies who completed the ¼-mile swim in the Seven Seas Lagoon; bike nine miles through the back lots of mouse-friendly attractions and ran two miles through the Magic Kingdom: Cindy Anderson, Malabar, 1:35:12; Lisa Baggett, Titusville, 1:33:37; Janet Bainbridge, Titusville, 1:33:01; Melinda Baker, Melbourne, 1:27:02; Linda Baker, Palm Bay, 2:00:32; Sandra Benitez, Palm Bay, 1:47:07; Mary Jane Binney, Cocoa Beach, 1:43:35; Tammy Blout, West Melbourne, 1:23:42; Heidi Brand, Melbourne, 1:18:11; Lynne Brooks, Satellite Beach, 1:08:13; Kelley Broome, Mims, 1:13:55; Anne Chrest, Satellite Beach, 1:34:58; Edna Cody, Titusville, 1:54:24; Laura Cole, Titusville, 1:04:19; Karen Colle, Titusville, 1:56:49; Danielle Collyer, Titusville, 3^rd 25-29, 58:34; Christine Cullen, Palm Bay, 1:32:50; Shannon Daly, Viera, 1:09:19; Sally Davis, Satellite Beach, 1:17:47; Stephanie Difrancesco, Titusville, 1:27:56; Lynnda Floyd, Palm Bay, 1:41:47; Amy Gadapee, Titusville, 1:15:25; Karen Gathercole, Titusville, 1:26:42; Amanda Gilmore, Cocoa, 1:14:11; Irene Grissom, Rockledge, 1:35:22; Holly Hare, Rockledge, 1:31:09; Page Howard, Titusville, 1:29:46; Christine Kennedy, Mims, 1:09:44; Del LaFrance, Satellite Beach,, 2^nd 70-74, 1:49:14; Lee Lamar, Merritt Island, 1:40:41; Kathleen Larkin, West Melbourne, 1:18:21; Geri Lassetter, Cocoa, 1:29:39; Erin Lauscher, Indialantic, 1:16:32; Tamara Lockard, Titusville, 1:13:48; Sherry Love, Palm Bay, 1:45:27; Lydia Loyd, Titusville, 1:13:38; Bethany Lussier, Palm Bay, 1:10:41; Willy Moolenaar, Indialantic, 1^st 65-69, 1:13:41; Becky Mullin, Melbourne, 1:17:06; Barbara Nawrocki, Cocoa Beach, 1^st 50-54, 1:00:09; Ana Nesbitt, Merritt Island, 1:13:06; Cynthia Palilonis, Titusville, 1:38:57; Amy Parker, Merritt Island, 1:16:13; Valerie Piszczek, West Melbourne, 1:38:23; Karon Pittman, Titusville, 1:05:35; Joann Purkerson, Palm Bay, 1:05:21; Nancy Quillen, Melbourne, 1:28:25; Erin Ricci, Palm Bay, 1:36:23; Karla Roberts, Merritt Island, 1:40:45; Jessica Rogers, Melbourne, 1:24:47; Jean Romanelli, Indialantic, 1:23:40; Tammy Sigurdson, Cocoa, 1:26:02; Shannon Simmons, Cocoa, 1:12:07; Donna Soyk, Melbourne, 1:12:31; Amy Stanley, Satellite Beach, 3^rd 40-44, 55:35; Leslie Talbert, Titusville, 1:04:10; Dyna Tamez-Carlos, Palm Bay, 1:23:44; Jocelyn Taylor, Cocoa Beach, 1:43:35; Aimee Thibault, Palm Bay, 1:33:24; Melinda Thorner Millband, Indian Harbour Beach, 1:03:19; Heather Trapp, Titusville, 1:28:17; Joanne Woodman, Palm Bay, 1:33:07.

CONGRATS to all who participated in the Mother’s Day event!!!

FLORIDA TODAY Craig Bailey photo above, l to r, Ana Nesbitt, Lynne Brooks, Donna Soyk, Sally Davis, Del LaFrance

FLORIDA TODAY articles available at

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805100320 race advance

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805120316 post race

FLORIDA-BAMA OR BUST!

It takes longer to drive to the Gulf Coast Half Ironman in Panama City Beach than it does to race the 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run. Now in its 26^th year, the race crew has it wired and participants are treated to a totally professional and fun event. More than 1,300 individuals crossed this year’s finish line on Sunday including Juan Posada, 6:21:18; Loran Serwin, 6:10:08, left and first half distance race; Sue Stidham, 7:30:18 and Christy Zieres, 3^rd Athena, 6:19:38.

Congrats to all who tackled this year’s rough swim, windy bike course and hot run!

TAKE THAT, LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA!

Team in Training is well known for helping athletes get to the marathon finish lines, but did you know they also coach triathletes? For the second year now, local tri coach Suzanne Coullias, left, has donated scads of her own time and resources to help TNT participants lead healthier lives and raise money for blood cancer research.  This year’s goal race was Tri-Miami in Key Biscayne and the team performed admirably at today’s Olympic and Sprint distances..

Local team members who completed the  Olympic distance of .93-mile swim; 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run included Kelly Aleman, 3^rd Master’s, 2:40:12; Rick Buck, 2:34:31; Rachelle Butler, 3:18:32; Alisha Causey, 3:23:11; Carol Connolly, 1^st 50-54, 3:02:23; Suzanne Coullias, 1^st 45-49, 2:42:41; Maggie Crews, 1:54:58; Dj Giovannini, 2^nd 45-49, 2:55:52; Patti Hamilton, 2^nd 50-54, 3:06:32; Bill Harris, 4:05:55; Lauren Helton, 2^nd 20-24, 2:33:02; Leanne Hensley, 3:13:35; Karen Hughes, 3:16:09; Lisa Mangina-Friedland, 3:39:20; Eric McKinley, 2:59:10; Ana McQueary, 3:25:12; Amanda Muller, 2^nd Athena, 3:10:03; Lynn Pucci, 3:13:10; Ashley Temple, 3:34:26. TNTers who completed the sprint distance of a quarter-mile swim, 12.4-mile bike and 3.1-mile run included Maggie Crews, 1:54:58; Shakira Guice, 2:05:35; Mike Melton, 2^nd Clydesdale, 39 and under, 1:19:23 and Cathi Rodgers, 1:40:25.

Other locals who finished the Olympic distance included Rick Buck, 2:34:31; Mark Dirga, 2:54:59; Tracey McKay, 2:40:59 and Lee Ann Nawrocki, 1st 20-24, 2:30:25. Deb Johansen placed third in the 45-49 division in the sprint race with her time of 1:21:25.

Congrats to all who raced and extra props to those who donated to TNT!

Suzanne, together with Becky Moody, will offer group training for the Oct. 5 Health First Triathlon through Beachside Tri Camp. The 12-week camp for the Olympic distance starts on July 19 with the nine-week sprint distance camp starting on August 9.  For complete information log on to

http://www.beachsidetricamp.com/campdetails.asp

IF ONLY THEY DID…

Disney’s ‘Women Run the World 15K’ drew hundreds to its finish line this morning, bringing an end to the Minnie Marathon Weekend, which also included yesterday’s 5K and three-day fitness expo. The event was sponsored by Lady Foot Locker and today’s race drew more than 100 locals including: ANNE MARIE AHAMMER, 1:15:34; HEATHER ARANGO, 1:54:51; CAROL ARNOLD, 1:36:54; CYNTHIA BAILEY, 1:42:25; KATIE BEAUSEIGNEUR, 2:25:52; ROSETTE BEHYMER, 1:28:10; BRIDGET BEITEL, 2:10:30; STACEY BIDDIX, 1:58:29; DOROTHY BOURLIER, 1:24:50; NICOLE BOURLIER, 1:24:50; PAM BROCKMEYER, 2:11:40; JULIE BURK, 2:25:51; GINA CACCAMO, 1:41:59; KATHY CAMICK, 1:15:08; DEBBIE CAPIZZI, 1:40:00; KIM CAPOGRECA, 2:12:35; HOLLY CARRERAS, 1:39:10; JAY CARTER, 1:26:20; KAREN CARUSO, 1:45:44; CAROLE CHAMBERLAIN, 1:51:40; ESTHERCHINNERY, 2:02:48; CHRISTINA COCHRAN, 1:32:44; JACLYN COLTON, 2:09:44; JENNA COLTON, 2:09:46; DAWN CONDY, 2:25:09; LAUREN COSENTINO, 2:02:47; WENDY COSENTINO, 2:02:47; MEG COX, 2:09:06; SALLY DAVIS, 2:01:28; MARY DIER, 1:38:22; TINA DIGIACOMO, 1:41:24; EVA DYCKMAN, 2:38:05; ELIZABETH ESPINOZA, 2:03:14; STEPHANIE ESTRADA, 1:52:48; CAROLYN FAST, 1:47:00; TERRY FERRISI, 1:21:52; DRU FILIBERTO, 2:14:45; BILL FLOYD, 1:43:04; KIMFOEGE, 1:52:51; HATICE FOELL, 1:33:38; TINA FOLAND, 1:48:54; SHARON FRANASIAK, 1:56:10; CINDY GAFFNEY, 1:39:19; CARLY GAGLIARDI, 2:24:25; JEANNE GAGLIARDI, 2:24:26; CHARIS GAINES, 1:34:03; AMANDA GILMORE, 1:38:13; THERESA GRAY, 1:45:07; TAMMY GREEN, 1:34:31; CASEY HAHN, 2:00:43; ANNIS HALVORSON, 1:23:10;  ERICA HALVORSON, 1:23:10; (Annis and daughter, Erica, at the finish line of the April 21 Boston Marathon. Photo: Todd Halvorson) JOLEA HEARN, 1:51:08; COLLETTE HEUSINKVELD, 1:58:33; EUFEMIA HOWARD, 1:39:55;KATE HOWICK, 1:24:49; MARIA HUFF, 1:40:54; TERESA HUFF, 1:15:33. 3rd, 14-18; JOY HUNKINS, 1:45:13; LAUREN HUNKINS, 1:45:12; PAULA HURD, 1:17:47 BALEIGH HYATT, 1:18:43; BONNIE JESENSKY, 1:28:57; KEVIN JESENSKY, 1:28:56; ASHLEY JOHNSON, 1:22:40; SARAH KARP, 1:44:49;         PAT KIESSELBACH, 1:36:29; CAROL KLAUS, 2:30:45; KELLY KLEGA, 2:17:11 SERENA LEDIG, 1:57:52; KATHLEEN LEMIRE, 1:48:15; JEANETTE LUCAS, 2:18:30; CHARLOTTE MCCLURE, 1:24:59; DEEDRA MCGUGIN, 2:04:19; CRYSTAL MCMURRAY, 1:21:39; ZAHRA MCTAMMANY, 1:48:23; DONNA MCWILLIAMS, 1:56:51;PAM MEIER, 1:10:20, 2nd, 40-44; ANGELIQUE MOLINA, 1:27:17; DEBBIE MOLINA, 1:24:05; MARY NEMES, 1:58:35; ANA NESBITT, 1:58:33; CINDY NICHOLAS, 1:53:12; FRANK NORRIS, 1:15:43, 1st 50-54; KATIE NORRIS, 1:15:35; SHIALINE PAYNE, 1:34:54; KIMBERLY PAYZANT, 1:40:37; SARAH PAYZANT, 1:40:18; ALISON PETERS, 1:27:34; JOHN PETERS, 1:30:46; LINDSAY POTTER, 2:30:44; KAREN RAMOS, 1:46:13; ANNE RAMSEY, 2:08:18; SUSAN REED, 1:33:36; CHRISTI REID, 1:58:31;JANELLE SHEPARD, 1:31:08;SHANNON SIMMONS, 1:39:53; LEISHA SINCLAIR, 2:03:25; LINDA SNYDER, 2:01:29; EMILY SOLOMON, 2:02:56; MARCELLA SOLOMON, 2:02:57; DONNA SOYK, 1:47:31; REBECCA SPARKS, 1:09:51; 1st, 40-44; CARLY STALLINGS, 2:02:49; MARY STALLINGS, 2:02:48; SANDRA STEVENS, 1:53:36; DONNA STRAKA, 1:28:57; LISA SULLIVAN,1:37:05; BETH TOLEDO, 1:58:42; TERESA VAN VALKENBURG, 2:09:54;MARYBETH WAGMAN, 1:37:12;SANDRA WALKER, 1:28:11; CAROL WATERS, 2:03:11; KIMBERLY WEIRICH, 1:36:51; ROBIN WEISS, 2:10:30; KIMBERLY WOLFF, 2:11:10.

Congrats to all who raced today!

BULLDOG PINEAPPLE SALSA?

Ron Abel and Dillon McGee chopped up the Melbourne Beach streets today at the Two-Mile Bulldog Pineapple Run and Walk. The race, directed by Andy - that’s Dr. Atkinson to us -benefited the Melbourne High cross country team and the Greg Skufca scholarship fund.  The event was also part of the Mel Beach Founder’s Day celebration and more than 200 runners and walkers crossed the finish line.

The race was, well, a race as 17-year-old McGee out-nosed Abel by one second at the finish to take the win in 10:27. (Ken Horton photo at left)  Abel’s 10:28 got him second and Steve Chin trailed in almost a minute later for fourth overall and third male in 11:26.

The third overall finisher was local ladies running phenom, Jessica Crate, who nailed the top women’s spot in 10:58. The closer race on the ladies’ side was for second, with Ceal Muldoon-Walker putting two seconds on Candice McNaughton at the line.  Muldoon-Walker, 45, finished second in 12:07 and 18-year-old McNaughton’s 12:09 gave her third.

Art Anderson, 48, grabbed yet another Master’s win in 11:29 and Mercie Pliego, 42, took the female counterpart in 13:34 – 12 days after running the Boston Marathon and re-qualifying with her finish.

Complete race results are available at http://www.runningzone.com/results.html?id=470

Also check out all of Ken Horton's race photos at: http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run080503/index.php

Congrats to all who volunteered and raced today!

WE HEART RED

More than 1,600 mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and 164 men crossed the Go Red for Women 5K at Disney this morning. The race is part of Disney's Minnie Marathon Weekend presented by Lady Foot Locker, and benefits the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement.

Congratulations to local finishers Margaret Anderson, 40:31; Lynn Brooks, 41:46; Michelle Brooks, 41:46; Cheryl Cervok, 52:44; Courtney Cleasby, 37:26; Kathryn Conklin, 31:37; Mary Dimoush, 28:10; Kristy Fastiggi, 35:36; Wendy Fitzpatrick, 37:52; Elaine Flautt, 48:14; Karen Furton-Sparks, left, 31:05;  Nancy Grzesik, 39:42; Jamie Hattendorf, 45:41; Julie Herndon, 39:34; Julia Holden, 52:44; Shawna Hume, 34:15; Mei Kalman, 46:55; Linda Kelly, 39:15; Del La France, 52:14; Michelle Lamb, 32:18; Noreen Landolfi, 40:25; Andrea Lowry, 42:12; Julian Mayers, 57:21; Ryan Mayers, 57:21; Terry Mayers, 57:20; Zach Mayers, 57:21; Anne Melton, 34:05; Alina Miller, 34:39; Susan Nolan, 30:00; Anne Norris, 32:04; Elizabeth Norris, 29:26; Janice Nussear, 52:13; Kristen Nussear, 52:14; Heather Phelabaum, 45:40; Holly Phelabaum, 39:13; Ana Rivera, 37:24; Sandra Robinson, 51:28; Ashley Rousch, 43:34; Samantha Rousch, 43:33; Laura Savas, 48:14; Heidi Sayut, 27:42; Amy Schell, 44:44; Terry Smith, 36:10; Tracey Strickland, 47:54;  Ginger Soule, 29:58; Candy Thomas, 34:45; Jennifer Van Den Driessa, 39:06; Trisha White, 33:59; Isabelle Zoerner, 55:08.