WHO NEEDS THE PRINCE?

Just about every little girl has dreamed about becoming a princess at one time or another. And while a prince is no longer a requirement for modern Cinderella, those wishing to earn their tiaras must possess courage, grace and the determination to push beyond self-perceived limits. 

And that is what close to 11,000 ladies of all ages, sizes and color did on March 7 as they crossed the finish line of the Disney Princess Half-Marathon presented by Lady Foot Locker at Walt Disney World. Each of the women - as well as 422 (perhaps slightly confused) men - received a special tiara-medal conferring their royal status.

“This event is all about princesses and spreading the message of health and wellness to women of all fitness levels while incorporating the glamour and grace of the Disney princesses,” said Disney Sports Area Manager, Kathleen Duran. 

The Princess weekend also offered the  Royal Family 5K on March 6 and the three-day Fit for a Princess Expo featuring seminars on training, racing and nutrition as well as the opportunity to check out and/or buy running and fitness equipment and apparel.

More than 200 local ladies and seven (brave?) guys returned to Brevard with royal blood in their veins. Cocoa Beaches Leeann Nawrocki, 23, was the most rocking royal; sliding her glass slipper past the finish line in 1:36:52. 18-year-old Emily Harrington, from Merritt Island, was the only princess to bring home the bling with her fourth place 14-18 age group finish of 1:43:14. Pam Meier was the fastest  Master (40+) with her Queen Mum wave and 1:48:08 at the line.

(Left: Princesses Angie Bramer, Lorraine Petersen, Anne Doerflein and Lauren Carlough are ready for the 6 a.m. race start; Below left, Princess Cathy Chapman is all smiles after earning her tiara after crossing the finish line of her first half-marathon!) Congrats to all our local majesties:MIMS: CHRISTINA CERRATO, 2:42:43; AMY CLARK, 2:06:26; JAMIE FLAKE, 2:42:43; SUSAN IVEY, 3:01:55; CLARISSA KIRK, 2:25:28; ZOE WALL, 2:06:26. TITUSVILLE: KIM ANDERSON, 2:37:53; CYNTHIA BAILEY, 3:00:12; CHRISTINE BEAN, 3:34:09; BRIDGET BEITEL, 2:51:54; CHARLOTTE BRUNELLE, 3:14:34; CANTERBURY, 3:25:06; KASEY CLAYTOR, 3:34:10; LAURA COLE, 2:40:48; ANN MARIE CONLEY, 2:39:19; BETH DELGADO, 3:18:24; MONICA DELGADO, 3:18:22; JOHANNA ESPENSCHIED, 2:31:56; CARA FISHER, 2:34:10; AMY GADAPEE, 2:48:41; KATHRYN GRAF, 2:39:47;  GVOZD, 2:35:27; SHERRY HEARD, 2:21:59; LAURIE HEATH, 2:42:03; JOY HUNKINS, 2:48:50; STEPHANIE JENKINS, 2:25:55; TARA LAKIN, 2:25:55; JENNY LEE, 2:32:12; CYNTHIA PALILONIS, 3:33:43; DEBI POLLARD, 2:54:20; MIKE POLLARD, 2:06:57; SIERRA POLLARD, 2:00:34; KATHERINE SCHINDLER, 2:23:21; PATRICIA WILSON, 3:31:53. COCOA: ABBY CULLEN, 2:11:39; JAYNE GOEHMANN, 2:34:47; BARBARA HALGREN, 3:21:08; JENNIFER HARSHBARGER, 2:25:50; JEANNETTE HUGHES, 3:11:15; SHELLY PRICE, 2:33:54; VIRGINIA RASOR, 3:23:27; JENNIFER VAN DEN DRIESSCHE, 3:29:01; BAMBI WIEDEMANN ,2:00:56; JENNIFER WILSON, 2:12:46; MICHELLE ZEPPIERI, 2:41:53. ROCKLEDGE: STACI-LEE BOND, 2:10:37; EMILY BOUDREAUX, 2:05:16; ANNETTE BURKETT, 2:45:04; ED CLOAK, 2:11:11; KRISTA COHEN, 2:43:31; ERIN FISHER, 2:00:46; ELIZABETH FORET, 2:35:17; KRISTINA FURCI, 3:31:13; ALLISON HALL, 2:50:00; JESSICA HARTMAN, 2:18:56; PAULA MCCORMICK, 2:52:54; JENNIFER MEEK, 2:33:48; PAMELA MEIER, 1:46:08; ROSE MYERS, 3:05:35; CATHIE POOR, 2:25:50; SHERRY THORPE, 2:19:49; ROBIN WEISS, 2:11:21; CORISSA WIEST, 2:06:09. VIERA: ANGELINA COTTO-PEREZ, 2:40:42; ANDREE FERGUSON, 2:26:42; KIM MOHERMAN, 2:49:15;  AMY SANDS, 2:39:48; JENNIFER SCELSO, 3:33:44; STEPHANIE SPRADLIN, 2:27:32. MELBOURNE: VICKIE ANTHONY, 3:28:43; JOCELYN BELLFLOWER, 3:12:06; ROSEANN BENNETT, 3:26:45; ROSANNE BESSENAIRE, 2:13:05; HANNA BEVENS, 3:29:38; CARRIE BLANCHARD, 1:44:15; JO-ANNE BOLAND, 2:31:45; AUTUMN BOWMAN, 3:33:43; MARY BROOM, 3:38:36; BREANNE BROWN, 2:46:34; LISA BURK, 2:49:45; CATHERINE CALLENDER, 2:26:16; LAUREN CARLOUGH, 2:28:02; KELLY CARRIER, 3:29:38; KARRIE CATALINO, 3:34:33; CAROLE CHAMBERLAIN, 3:11:29; CATHY CHAPMAN, 2:54:40; CATHERINE CLARK, 3:18:27; KIMBERLY CLEMONS, 2:26:30; CASSIE DELANEY, 2:56:42; JENNIFER DELANEY,  2:39:52; LINDA DEXHEIMER, 3:12:53; KAREN DIBBERN, 2:43:23; CONNIE DILLON, 2:14:21; GABRIELE DITOTA, 3:16:17; BEARNIDETTE DOYLE, 3:25:03; LAURA ENNIS, 3:38:06; LEE FAIRCHILD, 3:04:31; KAREN FIRRIOLO, 2:22:46; CINDY GAFFNEY, 2:04:02; JANICE GAGNIER, 2:54:09; ELLEN GROGAN, 3:21:00; LAUREN HALL, 2:39:37; EMILY HANLEY, 3:34:41; BRIANA HAUT, 2:48:26; VICKI HUMPHRIES, 3:38:07; CHERIE IDEUS, 3:11:14; AUDREY JOINER, 2:03:01; SARAH KEATING, 3:37:36; STEVEN KOPMAN, 2:48:50; TANYA KUELBS, 2:57:20; LINDA LOMBARDY, 3:06:44; OLIVIA LOWE, 2:44:47; PATRICIA LUCAS, 2:58:16; WANDA LUNDEN, 3:45:04; SHARON LUTTRELL, 3:12:14; LORI LYNCH, 2:13:57; PAMELA MARTICKE, 3:00:10; JESSICA MARTINEZ, 2:13:01; JOAN MCMAHON, 2:27:32; LAUREN MOORE, 3:26:03; MICHELLE MORENO, 3:33:35; YENA MORGAN, 2:13:31;  EMILY POIRIER, 3:34:15; LAUREN REECE, 2:11:42; PAUL REECE, 2:27:30; KRISTINA ROBERTS, 2:46:33; RICHELLE SAMUELS, 2:25:59; JULIA SCARPATE, 2:44:07; TINA SCHANTZ-GROSS, 3:31:33; KELA SCHRAM, 2:36:42; KELLY SEMENKO, 2:58:15; NICOLE SERAPIGLIA, 2:28:30; ERICA SHEIN, 2:43:53; JUSTIN SHEIN, 2:43:52; LAURA SIVITER, 1:56:53; ERIN SLAVIK, 2:31:02; JENNIFER SULZBACH, 2:14:21; SAMANTHA TANKERSLEY, 2:48:06;  BIANCA TREJO, 2:48:03; TERESA VAN VALKENBURG, 3:11:28; LISA WICKS, 2:22:41; APRIL WORRELL, 3:01:20. PALM BAY: CHRISTINE APSEY, 2:39:20; LINDA APSEY, 2:39:20; RACHEL BOWEN-WILKERSON, 2:13:12; APRILLE CLIFTON, 2:41:35; JACKIE CLIFTON, 2:41:36; MARY CONAWAY, 3:25:51; BARRY CONAWAY JR, 3:25:04; HALLY DOUGLAS, 3:32:46; TRACEY DUMPHY, 2:19:31; CALLA HESS, 2:27:28; DEBORAH HORST, 2:34:45; SUSAN HOUTS, 2:11:17; EUFEMIA HOWARD, 2:04:01; KIMBERLY HUENEFELD, 3:31:54; CATHY KOOS, 3:28:20; CINDY LOWELL, 3:28:04; VANESSA MCCLIMANS, 2:16:05; KRISTIN MYERS, 2:37:11; CASEY NOREN, 2:56:20 CHERYL NOREN, 2:56:19; NICOLE NOREN, 2:56:21; DIANNE ORTT, 3:34:12; PEGGY PARMENTER, 3:33:10; JEANNETTE POTTER, 3:12:15; DANA TOLLEY, 2:43:31; TERESA TRIEBELL, 3:26:34; JESSICA WHELPLEY, 3:32:24; LYNN WHELPLEY, 3:34:11; PAULA ZIMA, 3:32:38; PAMELA PEDERSEN, 3:34:12. MERRITT ISLAND:  HEATHER ANDERSON, 1:57:42; NANCY BALKE, 3:20:03; CATHY CHURCH, 3:18:27; JULIE GLOVER, 2:49:18; ELIZABETH GMEREK, 2:42:40; THERESA GRAY, 2:46:49; EMILY HARRINGTON, 4^th 14-19, 1:43:14; KIM HARRINGTON,  2:50:08; KELLY HASKINS, 3:20:02; MARYLYNN HUGGETT, 2:56:08; MICHELLE LAMB, 2:05:40; JENNIFER PAIT, 2:48:59; AMY PARKER, 3:26:45; AMY PAROLINE, 2:17:38; ROBERTA REAUME, 2:36:19; AMY SEQUEIRA, 2:34:20; CARRIE SOLOMON, 2:19:04; HEIDI TILLETT, 2:19:04; DEBBIE WELLS, 2:25:31. CAPE CANAVERAL: LAYLA HIGGINS, 1:50:04; NATALIE MOSES, 3:10:30; KRISTIN NIGHSWONGER, 3:30:52. COCOA BEACH: GINA CACCAMO, 2:41:38; VANESSA DANCE, 3:30:50; KIMBERLY DUNSCOMBE, 1:42:12; ASHLEY FISHER, 2:18:03; KELLY GORMAN, 3:22:14; CASEY HAHN, 2:33:18; ASHLEY JOHNSON, 1:56:38; ANGELA LEE, 3:04:13; BARBARA NAWROCKI, 2:24:34; KANDI NAWROCKI, 1:50:28; LEEANN NAWROCKI, 1:36:52; DEBRA ORRINGER, 2:25:02. SATELLITE BEACH: TAMARA ACFALLE, 2:19:23; CHRISTINE CROTTY, 2:48:10; LACEY FISHER, 3:36:06; HOLLY HERRMANN, 2:30:55; KYM MAHLER, 2:13:31;  MILLBAND, 2:13:17;  JOHN NOLL, 2:48:54; JACQUI WELLS, 2:49:21. INDIAN HARBOUR BCH: DIANA BURTON, 2:09:32; ANYA GIVENS, 2:03:01; MAGGIE PICERNE, 1:58:33; DENISE PIERCY, 2:03:01; TRISHA PIERCY, 2:03:01; CHERYL SERAFINI-COOK, 2:26:21. INDIALANTIC: JENNIFER ARRINGTON, 3:32:59; CHRISTI CURTIS, 2:28:12; BRANDI GAFFNEY, 2:13:17; SARAH KARP, 2:55:47; BETSY LAXTON, 3:21:04; JULIAN LAXTON, 3:21:04; ANNE NICHOLS, 2:12:39; ANNE RAMSEY, 2:26:19; MARTHA STEWART, 2:54:08; TERESA SUCHOSKI, 2:30:58. MELBOURNE BEACH: ERIN CHASE, 2:15:57 KATHRYN GOLDSTEIN, 3:20:14; BARBARA LOCKWOOD, 3:20:35; LORAN MORSE, 2:28:31. WEST MELBOURNE: TAMMY BLOUT, 3:26:37; AMANDA DITOTA, 2:38:14; ANNE DOERFLEIN, 2:28:02; ABIGAIL ELEY, 2:44:46; STEPHANY ELEY, 3:13:57; SANDY GHAWI, 2:18:19; TARA HAMILTON, 2:23:28; SHARI PARRIS, 2:02:15; LORRAINE PETERSEN, 2:28:02.

ESCAPE (the swim?)

Maybe it’s a good thing that this year’s Great Escape Triathlon at Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont was no longer a qualifier for the 30^th anniversary of the popular and historic Escape from Alcatraz on May 2. After all, if the Florida race director deemed southern athletes too delicate to handle a one-mile swim in the 60-degree waters of Lake Louisa, how could anyone expect them to handle the frigid (mid-50s) and treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay?

While a few were relieved that the race was turned into a duathlon for the non-elites, there was plenty of disappointment and some anger from those who knew what to expect; spent time training in cold, open water and had brought not only their wetsuits but, in some cases, hoods and booties.

Nevertheless, athletes were ready to rock as they lined up for the time-trail start of the two-loop 18-mile, hilly course within the park. We have to wonder if the police busted anyone for exceeding the park’s 25 mph speed limit? After exiting transition, athletes were challenged with a 5-mile run that took them through sand, soft trails and even some boardwalk.

A pair of out-of-towners took the top spots. Michigan’s Rhone Eppelheimer, 20, averaged 25.8mph on the bike and followed that up with a 5:57 per mile run split. He crossed the line in 57:54.

In the ladies race, 27-year-old Julia Mavrodin outpaced her competitors averaging 23.1 mph on the bike and the hitting the line in 1:20:35 with her 6:36 per mile run pace.

Cocoa Beaches Stephanie Hirst was Brevard’s fastest and third female overall but ended up second in the 25-29 age group with her 1:23:38 finish. (Left, Marine Corps 2nd Lt. Justine Whipple, #301, passes Air Force 2nd Lt. Stephanie Hirst during the bike course of the 2007 Armed Forces Triathlon Championships at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu July 28.  Both women made the USA Triathlon team.)

Congrats to Hirst and all Brevard locals who made the 'Great Escape' including Bill Buonanni, 1:39:55; Nancy Buonanni, 1^st 45-49, 1:28:55; Tod Hagen, 1:32:48; Stephanie Hirst, 2^nd 25-29, 1:23:38; Lori Kruger, 1:40:18; Kevin Leiker, 1:30:30; Anne OConnor-Smith, 1:50:15; Don Piercy, 5^th 45-49, 1:27:26; Mike Smith, 3^rd 50-54, 1:32:14; Michael Tuttle, 1:44:25; Christy Zieres, 3^rd 50-54, 1:48:15; Jeff Zipperer, 1:32:04.

Complete race results are available at http://results.active.com/pages/displayNonGru.jsp?orgID=216352&rsID=89832

(the other) BUTLER SLAYS DRAGON 10K

Although the Eye of the Dragon returned for its 22nd birthday with record crowds, electronic timing and a new course, there was a sense of déjà-vu reading the race results. Kevin Butler and Steve Hedgespeth went one/two in the Eye of the Dragon 10K and Bruce Bayless won the Tail-of-the-Lizard 2-Miler during the Feb. 27 Melbourne race that takes all participants out-and-back over the Eau Gallie Causeway. The three men were some of Space Coast Runner’s heaviest hitters during the first half of this decade rotating through the top three spots in the Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year Series.

While the trio never gave up on running, their names were inked less often in the race results after Bayless moved to TN, Butler took up golf and Hedgespeth - after building a house, finishing his Masters degree and becoming a two-time father - took a break from racing.

“Racings not going to be an every week thing now,” laughed the now 47-year-old Butler, who in past years was often mistaken as the brother of preeminent local speedster and coach, Doug Butler. “It will be once a month at the most. I was pretty sore after the race.” (That's Kevin Butler in the photo taken by Ken Horton, above left.)

After running with Hedgespeth and Thaddeus Austin through the first half of the 10K, Butler said the other two faded back while he kept the pace steady relying on his Garmin GPS - a technology unavailable during his heyday.

“One of my biggest problems now is pacing,” he said. “I used to know exactly what I was running but now I think I’m at a certain pace but I’m not. The GPS is really helping me run even splits.”

Butler’s five minute and 56 second-per-mile splits gave him the win in 36:49. Hedgespeth took second in 37:33 and Austin pulled in for third in 37:58.

“The award was kick-ass,” said Butler of the unique dragon and dagger designs drummed up by Race Director, Marlene White. “My wife and everyone at work loved it. It’s not one that is going to the recycle pile.”

Butler’s 36:49 will now stand as the time to beat for a new course record. This year, Dave Hernandez and Bill Dillard, mapped out a new route that provided athletes a straight out-and-back along Pineapple Avenue as opposed to the old romp full of up-and-down turns through the adjacent neighborhood.

In the women’s race, 23-year-old Beth Whalen, left in Ken Horton photo, made it six for six wins in this season’s Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year series as she pulled in at 39:50. Last year’s Eye of the Dragon champ, Tracy Smith, was second in 40:41 and Julia Thomas took third in 41:43.

This year’s event also included a walker’s division for both the 10K and 2-Miler. Turns out the walking crowd is growing as 55 vied for the new categories awards.

Complete results for 10K and 2-miler runners and walkers are available at http://www.runningzone.com/event_results

The Eye of the Dragon was race number six in this seasons eight-race ROY Series. Only two races - and the chance for more points - remain. The Downtown Melbourne 5K kicks off on April 3 in Melbourne followed by the Space Walk of Fame 8K and 2-Miler in Titusville on April 10. Visit http://mattmahoney.net/scr/cal.html for complete information and registration for these events.

SHIVER ONE OF 2009 GARMIN ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — USA Triathlon is pleased to announce the 2009 Garmin Age Group Athletes of the Year, an honor awarded annually by the USAT Age Group Commission.

"These talented athletes displayed fantastic results at various distance races which set them apart from others," said Lee Zohlman, co-chair of the USAT Age Group Commission. "Each year, a panel of USAT member volunteers meet and look at a group of athletes and their results. Based on performances across various race distances, depth of fields and quality of races the panel chooses the AOY. We congratulate these athletes on their hard work and dedication and wish them the best in 2010."

Overall Triathlete of the Year - Women

Cathy Yndestad, 31, Apple Valley, Minn.

Honorable Mention:  Mandy McLane (30, Windermere, Fla.), Lindsey Whalen (28, Chicago, Ill.), Kathleen Calkins (34, Gold River, Calif.), Bethany Handley (28, Oklahoma City, Okla.), Kaitlin Shiver (20, Satellite Beach, Fla.)

“I had no idea I was even in the running for that,” wrote Shiver, who is both personable and down-to-earth. “I think any recognition from USAT is an honor and I am thrilled that I am even being compared to the best age group athletes in the country!”

Shiver, who won the 2009 USA Triathlon National Championships on Aug. 22, is looking forward to the upcoming season.

Left: Katilin Shiver taking the women's win at the 20009 USA Triathlon Nationals - photo courtesy USA Triathlon.

“As for 2010, my triathlon season will kick off with Pineapple Man back at home which I am really looking forward to,” wrote Shiver, a University of Florida Junior who lives in Satellite Beach. “The rest of the summer I will be back to the DP (Deer Park) training schedule with the guys, but I’m not sure which races I will do yet.”

“I would like to enter a couple of elite races to see how I stand, but haven’t decided on any specific ones. A big goal of 2010 is to work on my bike fitness and efficiency which is by far my weakest link.”

After averaging 23-miles-per hour on the rolling 40K Nationals Tuscaloosa course, we have no doubt Shiver’s summer cycling goal should put elites on notice!

Congratulations, Kaitlin and good luck in 2010!!

Check out Shivers amazing 2009 triathlon accomplishments, documented in FLORIDA TODAY on Aug. 30, 2009 (below). 

Dominating debut

Shiver wins first national triathlon championship

BY PATTI SPONSLER

Kaitlin Shiver was shocked to learn she had bested the country's top female age group athletes on a hilly Tuscaloosa, Ala., course at the 2009 USA Triathlon National Championships on Aug. 22.

The former Satellite High swimmer and Class 3A state running champ blazed through the 1.5K swim, 40K bike and 10K run in two hours, eight minutes and 13 seconds, finishing more than two minutes ahead of her closest competitor.

"I wasn't expecting to win overall," said Shiver, who attends the University of Florida on a track and cross country scholarship and is unable to race triathlons during the school year. "I had never competed in something this big or on a national level. I had thought that if I could get top five in the age group, I'd be happy,"

Last summer, the athlete already well known for her swimming and running expertise demonstrated budding tri-sport competency by finishing seventh, third and first female overall, respectively, in the three triathlons in which she competed.

After returning to her family's Satellite Beach home this summer, Shiver upped her cycling game, building prowess under the sometimes punishing tutelage of Melbourne's 10:13 Ironman triathlete, Ed Donner, and Palm Bay's Adam Ullein, who broke five hours at Ironman Florida 70.3 in May.

"I had never thought that I could average 23 miles per hour for 40K," said the 20-year-old exercise physiology major whose 1:04:33 bike split on the undulating Nationals course was more than five minutes quicker than the fastest flat 40K she rode last season. (Left, Shiver on Tuscaloosa course)

 "Training with Ed and Adam was hard at first and I was sweating tears, but it has made a tremendous difference."

Two to three times a week, the trio would churn out 40 to 60 miles along the isolated, Hades-hot Deer Park route that straddles the Brevard and Osceola County lines. The demanding workouts always included a sweaty, post-ride run of up to nine miles in length.

"We would hammer hard on the bike and then do fast tempo or speedwork on the run," said Donner, who was quick to point out that the runs would have been less painful without Shiver pushing the pace. "Kaitlin is one tough girl -- determined and disciplined -- with a fast learning curve. She has so much potential."

The Nationals didn't ping on Shiver's radar until mid-July when she was invited to a USA Triathlon All- American luncheon the day before the Heartland Triathlon in Sebring.

"I didn't even know that I had been ranked last year," she said of her 2008 All-American status and second place ranking in the USA Triathlon 18-19 age group.

Although USA Triathlon automatically qualifies All-Americans to compete in the following year's National Championship, Shiver proved her worth at the Heartland race, taking the top female spot with more than four minutes to spare.

That win, added to her June victory over the entire field -- both men and women -- at the Marineland Triathlon, gave Shiver the confidence to sign on for Tuscaloosa.

On Aug. 19, she shared a quote with her Facebook friends that read: "Success does not come to those who want it the most the day of the race, it comes to those who have wanted it the most at every single practice leading up to the race."

"I had been getting very nervous about the race and remembered that quote," Shiver said. "I realized that I had put in all the training this summer. I didn't think I could have worked any harder. It gave me a sense of peace."

Three days later, Shiver was crowned the national champion, earning a berth to the 2010 World Triathlon Championships in Hungary.

"Winning this is a huge deal", said Barb Lindquist, a 2004 USA Olympic triathlon team member who is now the Collegiate Recruitment Coordinator for USA Triathlon, the nation's governing body and pipeline for the US Olympic team. "Kaitlin is now on our radar and we are here to help her out with wherever she wants to take the sport."

Two days after her win, however, Shiver was back in Gainesville for the start of fall classes and cross-country training.

While she is thrilled with her accomplishment, the humble and well-grounded honors

student views her victory through the lens of life's bigger picture.

"I'm just one of 50,000 students at UF again with the opportunity to go to cross country practice," she said. I'm not ready to give up my education or track and cross country. There will be plenty of triathlons after I graduate."

CLASS ACT ON THE COVER

The fact that Jos Chalmers is on the cover of the February Florida Racing Magazine www.floridaracingmagazine.com speaks volumes about how fast the 16-year-old speed demon is rising through the raucous ranks of bicycle racing. (That's Jos on the left raising a fist in victory)

It's already been a fast ride for Chalmers, who had no interest in the sport until 2006 when he accompanied his father to England to watch him ride London to Brighton - Europe’s largest charity cycling event.

Jos became smitten and - recognizing their son’s passion and potential - the Chalmers hired Kevin Livingston, a retired pro and six-time Tour rider to mentor their son.

Jos’s discipline, grueling effort and willingness to sacrifice have steadily sped him to the top of the Florida Points Series, a collection of 30-plus races including time trials, road races and criteriums staged throughout the state from early February through mid-October.

Placing third in 2008 and second last year in the Junior age group categories, Chalmers has served notice that 2010 will be his year.  After five races, he is leading the maniacally competitive Cat 3 class in spite of the gear restrictions place on those under 18 by the UCI.

Showing strength, skill and smarts, Jos has also demonstrated class and sportsmanship - something remarked upon only because of its rarity in the sport (think Lance).

During the Spring Fling road race in Deland on Jan. 31, young Master Chalmers pulled Alex Spook to the line and then eased off a tad to give his Colavita teammate the win.

Brad Gordon, who helped referee the race, described what he witnessed in an Email to Tony Chalmers, Jos’s dad.

“I had the privilege of watching the Cat 3 race today from my motorcycle. The chief ref sent me up to the break that Alex was in with Neal Shepherd. Alex worked like a mad dog in the break doing about 65-70 percent of the work. Jos sat in the pack and blocked and covered every move.

Then as we were heading for the finish line with about 1000 meters to go I see Jos coming up like a freight train in my mirror. I move far left to get out of his way and he comes up on Alex who is now about shot and on the back of the break with 200 meters to go. Jos taps Alex on the arm and literally HAULS him to the front before the others even knew he was there.  Then, right at the end, just at the line, I saw Jos ease up a touch - just enough to let Alex have the win.”

Left, Jos (middle) was the victor at the Dade City Race for Humanity. Approximately 100 men in Cat 1, 2, and 3 raced each other over the 68-mile undulating course. Jos nailed the Cat 3 win by more than two minutes. His time was also fast enough to have placed him seventh amongst the Pro 1-2 riders.

Congrats, Jos - you're a class-act champion!

Coming up next on the Florida Points Series is the Feb. 20-21 ORC Race Weekend.  Watch the events live on-line at http://www.webcast-tv.com/OrlandoRoadClub/?Show_ID=463&facebook=y

MILES FOR SMILES

The 2000 Surgeon General’s Report on oral health care noted that uninsured children were 2.5 times less likely to receive dental care than insured children, yet kids from these families were three times as likely to have dental needs.

And that is why the Feb. 13 Tooth Trot 5K - benefitting the local Give Kids a Smile program - is a labor of love for Race Director, Jerilyn Bird and her husband, Dr. Gerald Bird, an oral surgeon and competitive age group runner. (Jerilyn Bird, left. Photo courtesy Barry Jones.)

“Last year we helped about a 150 kids,” said Jerilyn. “The children are first seen by a general dentist to see what needs to be done and then they receive the whole care. We don’t just send them on their way.”

The funds are used to cover lab costs and educational materials and local dentists volunteer their time and talents.

“The local dentists do a lot for Brevard,” Jerilyn said. “They were recognized by the state last year at a special dinner.”

Many of yesterday’s volunteers came from the local dental community, as well.

“Each volunteer makes such a difference in how the race goes and how everyone feels about it,” Jerilyn said.

Now in its twelfth year, the race continues to receive rave reviews.

“Everything, including the organization, course, chip timing, post race food and refreshments, and door prizes were excellent,” said Melbourne’s Art Anderson.

Anderson knows how to judge a race. The 50-year-old competitor finishes at least one race just about every weekend and has been known to cross as many as three finish lines in one day; often placing in the top ten and winning his age group. (That's Art, shirtless, running in the cold. Barry Jones photo)

True to form, Anderson’s 18:54 finish on yesterday’s chilly, windy course snagged him fifth overall and the top spot in the 50-54 division.

Taking top race honors was West Melbourne’s Michael Fisher, 17, who crossed the line in 17:50.

Rockledge’s Ryan Oates, the 2009 Pumpkin in the Parks champ, was second in 17:59 and Thaddeus Austin, who placed third in the 30-34 age group of last weekend’s Melbourne & Beaches Half-Marathon, took third overall in 18:37.

Running Zone’s Tracy ‘T-Sizzle’ Smith, 37, (left in Barry Jones photo) grabbed the ladies’ win with more than two minutes to spare on the rest of the field as she crossed the line in 20:11. Finishing for second in 22:37 was 19-year-old Stephanie Bird, who no doubt put in countless hours helping her mom get things ready for the race. Merritt Island’s Leah Harpole, 15, grabbed third place in 22:43.

Congrats to the Birds, the volunteers and the runners for helping give Brevard’s underserved kids a chance to smile!

Complete race results are available at http://www.runningzone.com/results/2266?type=a 

Barry Jones, of TriHokie.com took great race photos and those are available for free download at http://www.trihokie.com/Road-Races/Tooth-Trot-2010/11229165_d7wck#787547962_3zgAu

Also check out Ken Horton’s photos at http://icunphotos.smugmug.com/Running/2010-Tooth-Trot-5k/11233929_H86Ag#787838276_cEJpr and http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run100213/index.php?start=0

THE (OLDER) BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!

The second annual Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon was truly one for the books. As the USATF National Masters’ Championship, the race brought in many of the smoking-fast more ‘mature’ athletes (the top eight finishers were all older than 40.) The faster core field combined with crisp, albeit gusty, weather made for a great morning of racing.

The race offered $4,000 to the Masters with the fastest finish time and another $4,000 to the Masters with the fastest age-graded score.

“Age-graded scoring levels the playing field,” said Don Lein,  Chairman of USATF Masters' Long-Distance Running. “Age-grading is nothing more than mathematical tables that ratio world record times for your age and gender divided by your actual time.”

And those ratios - recently updated by a statistician’s dream team for 2010 - can really make a difference on who takes home the cash.

Last year, Paul Aufdemberge,  a Michigan running store manager, won the inaugural MBMHM in 1:08:05. When the ratios had been run, the then 44-year-old father of two also received the top payout on the age-graded side with his ratio of 93.57. Left, Paul Aufemberge on his way to his second Melbourne & Beaches Music Half-Marathon win, Ken Horton photo)

In spite of not feeling well this year, Aufdemberge returned to Melbourne for a second, but slower, win of 1:08:57. His age-graded ratio dropped to 93:14 percent which placed him third for that purse behind 58-year-old Kathryn Martin (1:27:49, 94.23%) who won the age-graded top spot and 60-year-old Doug Winn (1:17:57, 93.91), who took second.

Melbourne’s Steve Chin, 41, was the fastest local Master and his half-marathon personal best of 1:19:55 placed him eleventh overall in the field of close to 1,000 athletes of all ages.

“It was a blast,” Chin said.  “I couldn’t believe how many PRs (there were) today. I’m very happy for everyone.”

One of Chin’s training partners, John Davis, also ran a half PR of 1:18:43, giving him ninth overall and $125 from State Farm for the fastest local male finish.

Jessica Crate, who trains with the Chin-Davis duo, also ran a PR of 1:22:25, giving the 24-year-old pharmaceutical rep third female overall and $125 for the fastest local female finish. Left, Steve Chin and Jessica Crate pose for a shot after the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon. Photo courtesy George Mcafee)

(If you cranked their ages, gender and finish time through the age-graded tables; Crate would have beat out both Chin and Davis.)

While there were multiple personal bests in the field, Chin, Crate and Davis were of special interest as each had raced both the 5K and 8K the day before (Read the Triple Take blog below) - something that usually flies in the face of conventional taper wisdom and begs the question: did racing the day before hurt or help their half marathon PR performances?

Below John Davis, left in Ken Horton photo, shares his thoughts…

“I wish I knew.  My coach says I can run it faster, and I would have been faster if I hadn’t run 13k the day before.” 

“What I can say for sure is that because I ran so hard on Saturday, I had no mental pressure to perform on Sunday – if I failed, I had a good excuse.  Maybe it was primarily mental.” 

“… I read an e-mail from Matt Mahoney, and he mentioned that he had PR’d (or nearly) in the marathon twice after running a fairly hard 5K.  So is there a physical advantage?  Or just a mental release since the pressure is off?  Or were all of us just at a higher level of fitness, and we would have run even faster if we had tapered?

“I’ve run three half marathons this year, and I tapered quite a bit before the first two.  I ran both of them (Space Coast & Disney) slower than I did the previous season – big disappointments.  Maybe that was because of marathon training that I did for the first time, or Disney could’ve been because it was bitter cold, and I saw sleet for the first time in my life.  Melbourne Beaches turned out to not only beat my previous two this season, but I was over a minute faster than the 2008 season.”

I might run Eye of the Dragon 10k the day before Gasparilla.  That would give me four half marathons for the season, and I will have ran a hard race the day before two of them.  Maybe that’s another data point to try to figure this thing out.  But if I set another PR, I’ll still ask myself ‘Could I have run faster if I had tapered?’”

John’s thoughts give one much to think about regarding what a body can really handle in terms of peaking and what really is the right amount of rest when you're approaching or at a new peak.

Congrats to everyone who finished the Melbourne & Beaches Music Half-Marathon!

HALF-MARATHON LOCAL AGE GROUP AWARD WINNERS:

MALE: 19 and under: 1. JC Ivey, Melbourne, 1:33:42; 2. Mark Renkens, Palm Bay, 1:37:15; 20-24: 1. Timothy McRae, Indialantic, 1:33:03; 2. Craig Micheletti, Melbourne, 1:33:04; 3. Michael Skuban, Melbourne, 1:49:22; 25-29: Travis Hiers, Melbourne, 1:27:13; 2. Dan Cizana, Melbourne, 1:35:20; 30-34: 1. John Davis, West Melbourne, 1:18:43; 2. Ed Donner, Melbourne, 1:21:15; 3, left in Ken Horton photo. Thaddeus Austin, Merritt Island, 1:23:46; 35-39: 3. Shane Streufert, Viera, 1:26:58; 45-49: 2. Brad Cody, Melbourne, 1:21:24; 3. Kevin Butler, Cocoa Beach, 1:21:27; 70-74: Ron Osler, Cocoa Beach, 2:10:48; FEMALE: Overall: 3. Jessica Crate, Viera, 1:22:25; 20-24: 2. Beth Whalen, Melbourne, 1:24:11; 3. Andi Binney, Cocoa Beach, 1:35:46; 25-29: 3. Kim Hunger, Palm Bay, 1:42:14; 35-39: 1. Cheng Ten, Melbourne, 1:33:02; 2. Kristin Apotsos, Melbourne Beach, 1:39:03; 3. Melissa Vandett, West Melbourne, 1:42:19; 45-49: 1. Ceal Muldoon Walker, Cocoa Beach, 1:27:44; 65-69: 2. Willy Moolenaar, Indialantic, 2:10:13

Complete results are available at http://altavistasports.com/results/2010results/MBMMHALF2010.html

Ken Horton race photos are available at http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run100207/ and http://icunphotos.smugmug.com/Running/Melbourne-Music-Marathon-2010/11174503_ZahdZ#783329440_eKkmN

BEAN-TOWN, BABY!

While the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon was small on numbers - 198 finishers - it was big on Boston Qualifiers. Almost 23 percent of those who finished earned the coveted Bean-town Berth.  In their marathon debuts, Melbourne’s Barbara Krause (left, in photo courtesy Cathy Friedel) and Doug Nichols each ran a qualifying time with Krause taking third in the 40-44 age group and Nichols placing second in the 45-49 division.

There was no prize money given for this race either but Allstate did award $125 each to the fastest local male and female finishers. At only 16-years of age, Palm Bay’s David Morales and his 3:03:55 (fifth overall) earned the male honor while Angela Wells, 44, grabbed the ladies’ cash for her 3:31:37 and third female overall.

 Congrats to all who completed the two-loop, four-bridge, 26.2-mile trek.

LOCAL BOSTON MARATHON QUALIFIERS:

Christy Barnett, 30, Merritt Island, 1^st 30-34, 3:39:45; David Grant, 63, Viera, 2^nd 60-64, 3:47:38; Dude Kerley, 57, Satellite Beach, 3:35:10; Barbara Krause, 43, Melbourne (first marathon), 3^rd 40-44, 3:47:12;  Rodney Lee, 61, Melbourne, 3^rd 60-64, 3:53:33; Matt Mahoney, 54, Melbourne, 2^nd 50-54, 3:20:47; Timothy Marquardt, 18, Merritt Island, 2^nd 19 and under, 3:08:58; David Morales, 16, Palm Bay, 1^st 19 and under, 3:03:59; Doug Nichols, 46, Melbourne (first marathon and left in Ken Horton photo), 2^nd 45-49, 3:30:12; Megan Pendergast, 24, Melbourne, 1^st 20-24, 3:39:57; Jim Schroeder, 62, Indialantic, 1^st 60-64, 3:42:49; Kristin Tinker, 40, Merritt Island, 2^nd 40-44, 3:31:43; Kathryn Vanarsdall, 47, Indialantic, 3^rd 45-49, 3:58:17; Angela Wells, 44, Cocoa Beach, 1^st 40-44, 3:31:43.

ADDITIONAL MARATHON LOCAL AGE GROUP AWARD WINNERS

Male: 20-24: 3. Nicholas Vannorsdall, Melbourne, 3:22:24; 30-34: 2. John Kramer, Satellite Beach, 3:28:24. Female: 20-24: 2. Jennifer Lea, Melbourne, 4:13:01; 35-39: 2. Suzanne Krasny, Indialantic, 3:49:59; 50-54: 1. Shelbe Zimmerman, Indialantic, 4:39:17; 65-69: 1. Elanor Hunt, Indialantic, 4:51:51.

Congrats to all of the marathon finishers! Complete results are available at http://altavistasports.com/results/2010results/MBMMATHON2010.html

Ken Horton race photos are also available at http://www.icunphotos.com/pics/run100207/ and at http://icunphotos.smugmug.com/Running/Melbourne-Music-Marathon-2010/11174503_ZahdZ#783329440_eKkmN

TRIPLE TAKE

Chin, Crate and Davis. The three alphabetized, good-looking and maniacally fast Running Zone team members laid down a new definition for triple-training during the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon Weekend on January 6-7. (Ken Horton photo: far left, John Davis; #1533, Steve Chin, #1560 overall female 8K winner, Sonya Friend-Uhl and far right, Jessica Crate)

Each went back to their professional day jobs Monday with extra coin and new half-marathon personal bests.

Instead of doing the traditional taper prior to Sunday’s half, however, the speedy threesome lined up for both the 8K and 5K on Saturday. The two races were sponsored by FLORIDA TODAY and each offered a $1,000 purse broken down between the top five males and females.

“Chin always cons me into these crazy running shenanigans,” said Crate about the trio’s about the latest scheme. “So, we decided to create a new tradition…the FLORIDA TODAY 13K.”

The plan was to finish the 8K - that was suppose to begin at 7:30 a.m. - in less than 30 minutes, ready to rock the 8 a.m. start of the 5K.

And that they did - sort of.

A late start on the 8K and some issues with timing sort of fouled things up in the 5K but all three placed first in their respective 8K age groups with Crate earning $100 for her second overall notch on the ladies side and Chin grabbing $60 for the men’s fifth.

Melbourne’s Anne Dockery - who won the 8K 60-64 age group - also went home with $60 as she placed fifth woman overall.  Also note that both Matt Mahoney and Jim Schroeder ran the 8K and both qualified for Boston the following day at the finish line of the marathon.

Kevin McNab, left, from the ‘Show Me’ state, showed everyone how to earn $561.40 per hour as he collected $400 for 42 minutes and 45 seconds of running. He took the 8K in 26:08, then grabbed the 5K, as well, in 16:37.

The Tireless Trio followed McNab to the 5K finish line but due to the aforementioned foul ups, finished out of the money and with incorrect times. Chin and Davis both said they finished in their usual lockstep fashion but results from both races show them uncharacteristically apart - with Chin almost four minutes ahead of Davis on the 5K.

"Neither Steve or I were going all out – we just finished side by side to maintain a sub-six  minute pace; we didn’t want to go much faster since the half was the next day," said Davis.  "We ended up averaging around 5:55 for the 8k+5k=13k.  When we were side by side in both races, how did they mess up both of them and show us with drastically different times?"

Good question, especially with money on the line.

Race photos from www.sportphotos.com confirm the speedsters' stories (like anyone would doubt their word, anyway.)

Two locals did grab 5K cash, however, including Palm Bay’s Jackie Clifton, who will be taking her hubby to a romantic Japanese dinner with the $75 her third overall finish threw her way. Emily Chapman, 13, could have taken home $60 for finishing fifth female overall but, as a cross-country runner for John Davis's team, Brevard Heat, she was unable to accept the money as doing so would jeopardize her amateur status.

LOCAL FLORIDA TODAY 8K AGE GROUP WINNERS:

MALE: 12-14: 1. Jack Dickens, 36:35:00; 30-39: 1. John Davis, 29:19:00; 40-44:  1. Steve Chin, 28:43:00; 2. Chris Lornes, 33:32:00; 45-49: 1. Rick Baney, 32:49:00; 3. Roy Daugherty, 42:34:00; 50-54: 2. Matt Mahoney, left, 33:47:00; 3. John Hudacek, 38:06:00; 55-59:        1. Jerry Bird, 35:20:00; 2. Dick White, 44:21:00; 3. George Oswald, 47:36:00; 60-64: 1. Jim Schroeder, 41:57:00; 70+: 2. Jim Weir, 42:06:00; FEMALE:  18-29: 1. Jessica Crate, 30:17:00; 3. Agatha Kolodziejczak, 40:38:00; 30 - 39: 2. Megan Bolin, 38:48:00; 3. Donna Davis, 40:38:00; 40 - 44: 1. Angela Handa, 40:05:00; 45 - 49: 1. Molly Ragsdale, 34:48:00; 3. Holly Herrmann, 49:20:00; 50 - 54: 1. Lori White, 40:21:00; 3. Wanda Bibens, 44:21:00; 55 - 59: 3. Marsha Lake, 53:37:00; 60 - 64: 1. Anne Dockery, 37:00, far right with sunglasses perched atop her head; 3. Milly Krause, 1:08:34.

Congrats to all who completed the FLORIDA TODAY 8K and/or 5K. Complete  8K results are available at  http://altavistasports.com/results/2010results/MBMM8K02062010.html with 5K results at http://altavistasports.com/results/2010results/MBMM5K020610.html 

RUNNING COVERAGE FROM FLORIDA TODAY 

February 8, 2010

Marathon champ relieved after run

BY CARL KOTALA
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

The finish line wasn't the only thing beckoning Brian Alessandro on Sunday morning.

Somewhere about the 14-mile mark of the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon . . . Mother Nature called for him, too. (Brian Alessandro, right, won the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon on Sunday. Greg Lemmon, left, finished second in the event. (Tim Shortt, FLORIDA TODAY)

"I stopped to use the restroom once, on the second lap," Alessandro said. "I was real quick."

The pit stop didn't cost Alessandro the lead, or the race. The 29-year-old teacher and Division III running coach from Covington, Ky., hit the tape in 2 hours, 39 minutes and 12 seconds Sunday morning to win the 26.2-mile event. His friend and training partner, Greg Lemmon of Cincinnati, was second. He took his bathroom break at mile 10.

Eileen Posgay of Plantation won the women's marathon in 3:20:22.

Paul Aufdemberge of Redford, Mich. (1:08:57) and Lori Kinglsey of Wysox, Pa. (1:20:32) won the men's and women's half-marathon races. In doing so, both captured the USA Track and Field Association National Masters' championships as well.

"I was running with the pack for the first five miles or so," the 45-year-old Aufdemberge said. "I didn't think I felt as good here today as I did last year, but I made kind of a break right around 10 miles. That's where I was able to get away. It was probably good thing I did, because at that point we were still running with the wind. When we got to the bridge, around 11 miles, the wind was pretty tough.

". . . I was hurting the last 5K. I just tried to keep focused. Of course, it's a little extra motivation, knowing that you're out in front. I just tried to keep it going that last 5K and get up and down that (last) hill."

Temperatures in the 40s with a gusting wind made conditions a little chilly for runners Sunday morning. But for runners such as Aufdemberge and Alessandro -- who come from cold-weather climates -- the conditions were excellent.

"I wanted to run a marathon, and I can't do one in the fall and spring because of coaching," Alessandro said. "We were training in 16 degrees in Cincinnati. This is nice."

The weather didn't seem to affect some of the top runners from Brevard County, either.

David Morales, a 16-year-old from Palm Bay, finished fifth in the men's marathon in 3:03:59. He was followed by 18-year-old Timothy Marquardt of Merritt Island, who was sixth in 3:08:58. Matt Mahoney (3:20:47) of Melbourne was 14th overall.

Angela Wells of Cocoa Beach finished third in the women's marathon in 3:31:43. Christy Barnett of Merritt Island was the fourth woman across in 3:39:45, followed by Megan Pendergast of West Melbourne in 3:39:57.

Melbourne's John Davis was the top local finisher in the men's half-marathon, coming in ninth place in 1:18:43. Steve Chin of Satellite Beach was 11th in 1:19:55 and Melbourne's Ed Donner was 14th in 1:21:15.

Jessica Crate of Viera (1:22:25) was third in the women's half-marathon. Other top locals included Beth Whalen (1:24:11) of Melbourne and Ceal Muldoon Walker (1:27:44) of Cocoa Beach.

Almost 2,600 racers took part in the two-day event, which featured a 5K and an 8K on Saturday, as well as the Top End Euro-American Handcycling American Championships on Sunday.

Posgay got a warm round of congratulatory hugs from her family at the finish line. Though she took the lead about the 14-mile mark, she ran alone for most of the race and took pride in the fact she didn't have to rely on any drafting help to get the top spot.

"I'm a consistent top-10 contender. (This) is my first marathon win, though," the Plantation native said. "It kind of completes my racing career (goals). I've got first in every distance and now, finally, the marathon. It's pretty cool."

While Posgay missed her personal record by a minute, Alessandro made his personal best by five minutes.

That made for quite a day for the man who coaches cross country at Thomas More College in Crestview, Ky.

"Our goal was to set out a six-minute pace and I went through a lot faster than that at the half," he said. "So when I used the restroom, it really wasn't that big of a deal. I was still on a pretty good pace anyway."

Lemmon tried to catch back up to his friend, but said running into the wind sapped some of his energy. He finished in 2:46:22.

"I'm pretty pumped about it," Alessandro said of his win. "A PR and a win . . . I can't ask for anything more than that."

RUNNING COVERAGE FROM FLORIDA TODAY

February 8, 2010

Karma pays off for Kingsley

BY CARL KOTALA
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Lori Kingsley always will remember Sunday's Melbourne & Beaches Music Half-Marathon for several reasons. (Left, Lori Kingsley finished the 13.1-mile race in 1:20:32 on Sunday, just ahead of Marybeth Reader, who crossed in 1:21:54 (Tim Shortt, FLORIDA TODAY)

It's where she won the USA Track and Field Association National Masters' championship . . . and where a friend really came through when it counted.

"I saw them pull up the banner (winner's tape) and I was like, 'Oh my God . . . that's for me!' " beamed the 43-year-old Kingsley, from Wysox, Pa.

"That is such a great feeling, because to get it, you really have to work hard. I mean, these women are good."

Kingsley finished the 13.1-mile race in 1:20:32 on Sunday, just ahead of Marybeth Reader, who crossed in 1:21:54.

It seemed only fitting that if Kingsley were to win the race, it would be Reader -- of Bloomfield, Mich. -- who would finish second. Because it was Reader who helped Kingsley and her husband out of a tight spot when there was no room at the inn.

"This is my roommate," Kingsley said after excitedly hugging Reader at the finish line. "I got to the hotel, and they had canceled my reservation. We were trying to straighten it out and they were like, 'Sorry, we're sold out.'

". . . I was sitting on the floor, crying and by the grace of God, (Reader) came over. I see her at Masters races (all the time) and I'm like, 'Marybeth, I don't have a room.' She was like, 'Lori, come to mine.' "

Reader's generosity paid off for Kingsley, who took the lead after the first mile and never let it go.

RUNNING COVERAGE FROM FLORIDA TODAY 

February 8, 2010

Legend Bill Rodgers enjoys windy race

BY CARL KOTALA
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Bill Rodgers posed for more pictures than any of the winners at Sunday's Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon. (Left, Bill Rodgers, #1 and 62, plans to run 25 races this year. (Tim Shortt, FLORIDA TODAY)

But what do you expect when people realize they've just raced with a legend?

The 62-year-old Rodgers, who won the Boston and New York marathons four times each from 1975-80, ran the half-marathon on Sunday. He finished fourth in the 60-64 age group with a time of 1:39:41.

"I was faster here last year by five minutes, but . . . I'm not in quite the same shape, I guess," Rodgers said. "And it was a little windy, especially the last bridge. But it was a very competitive race. A lot of fit runners here with the (USA Track and Field Association National) Masters championship."

Rodgers, a cancer survivor and spokesman for Prostate Awareness Cancer Education (PACE), liked the atmosphere of the Melbourne event.

"I go to races all over the country, and I've raced in Florida since the mid-70s," he said. "Melbourne's a very pretty little area. I like this little downtown. We came down last year, a bunch of us guys from New England -- training partners. Three of us ran last year and this year, we've got about six or seven. We just came down for some fun."

And that is the name of the game for Rodgers these days. Sunday was his second race of the year, and he plans to run 25 -- just like he has for more than 30 years.

"I still love road races like this," he said. "This is a cool little race. (Race director) Mitch Varnes and his team, they've done a good job. It's a fun race.

"Runners . . . you're competitive, but you want to have fun, too. You want to enjoy life. Runners really get to do that, I think -- after we recover.. . . I think this race is going to keep growing. You've got the different distances. To make it a two-day race was very smart."

PINEAPPLE SOUFFLE' 

Can’t get enough of All Things Pineapple Man? Rob Downey has your fix. Check out his new blog at http://pineappleman2010.blogspot.com/ There you can find the latest updates on the race - including how to cancel your entry or how to get on the wait list for the sold-out event that will be celebrating its 25^th anniversary on June 6.

If you’re one of the 604 lucky enough to get a spot, check out the Beachside Tri Sport training camp geared for Pineapple Man at http://www.beachsidetricamp.com/default.asp

THORNLESS ROSES

Beautiful Mead Garden in Winter Park was the setting for the Feb. 6 Florida Hospital Lady Track Shack 5K. More than 2,000 ladies ran or walked the race that donates the proceeds to the Florida Hospital breast cancer screening program providing mammograms to the under-insured women in the community. 

Congrats to local participants Kate Abernethy, 57:10; Pam Brockmeyer, 57:09; Andrea Canterbury, 36:00; Roberta Chaildin, 38:35; Amy Chaildin, 50:03; Jo Connell, 30:00; Nancy Cross, 35:23; Pamela Flinchum, 30:14; Tonyia Gibbons, 53:08; Danielle Hiner, 38:35; Lynn Levine, 35:04; Sabren Litus, 53:09; Cookie Marquez, 59:38; Donna Neill, 35:57; Cindy Nicholas, 57:09; Heather Parman, 34:03; Nancy Rowan, left, 28:14; Tamara Rudowitz, 35:25; Amanda Shrader, 29:08; Patti Spoerle, 23:38.

AT PEACE WITH THE PAST 

During two interviews with Patti Sponsler, former world record holder, Zola Budd, expressed her peace with the past and shared some thoughts on the fresh restart of her career as a Masters (40+) runner. While FLORIDA TODAY ran part of those interviews on Feb. 5 at http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20100205/SPORTS/2050332/+I+am+at+peace+with+the+past+  most of the conversations are printed below. Photo of Budd, below, was taken at the Pawley's Island Turtle Strut 10K on Oct. 24 in South Carolina. Zola's 37:33 finish was good enough for second overall and the women's win by almost nine minutes. Photo courtesy Zola Budd.

The Masters (40+) road racing circuit - which includes the Feb. 7 USA Masters Half-Marathon Championship - is often one of second chances. It is for those who came to the sport later in life as well as those who ruled the podiums of past years.

Of all names inked beside past world records, however, none may be more deserving of a fresh start than Zola Budd.

After setting a 5K world record of 15:01.83 in 1984 on her native South African soil, the then 17-year-old Budd was thrust on the world stage by a greedy father and a British tabloid hungry to increase circulation.

Because of Apartheid, South Africans were banned from the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The tabloid convinced Budd to bring his daughter to England to compete for the British. Not only did the paper reward him handsomely financially but because of Zola’s speed and her grandfather’s British birth, it expedited a berth for her on the British Olympic team.

The girl who had run with joyful innocence quickly fell victim to exploitation and her own political ignorance. Unfairly tagged as a symbol of Apartheid, people protested her presence.

Perhaps her most notorious moment came during the hotly-contested 3,000-meter Olympic showdown between Budd and American world champion, Mary Decker Slaney. With Budd running barefoot on the inside lane just in front of Decker Slaney, the two bumped twice. Resounding boos filled the stadium as Decker fell to the ground and an unnerved Budd faded back to finish in seventh place.

Although race officials, after viewing race footage, exonerated her from any wrongdoing, Budd’s remarkable athletic accomplishments are still often palled by that Los Angeles shadow.

Today, at 43, the married Budd Pieterse and her family are living near Myrtle Beach on a two-year visa allowing her to compete on the Masters’ circuit. Although the mother of three has continued to run, she stepped away from the competitive limelight to raise her children.

While Budd Pieterse is registered for Sunday’s half-marathon, a knee injury suffered just before Christmas may limit her to Saturday’s 8K.

During two interviews with Patti Sponsler, Budd expressed her peace with the past and some thoughts on this fresh phase of her running career. Here are some excerpts:

PS: What brought you to US?

ZBP: I wanted to run on the Masters circuit before I turned 50. My kids are more grown up now so we can do it. (Zola and her husband have twin 11-year-old boys, Mikey and Avell and a 14-year-old daughter, Lisa.)

I am excited about the Masters circuit because it also does a lot for our junior runners. They know that there can be a long future in running for them.

PS: Do your children run and race?

ZBP: Sometimes they do but I don’t want them to take it too seriously. I want them to run only if they enjoy it.

PS: You have all those world records, including a 5K personal best of 14:48.07 (1985), what are you shooting for as a Masters runner?

ZBP: If I can run a steady six-minute pace for the 10K, that would be great.

PS: Many Masters’ athletes take up coaching voluntarily or for a tiny stipend; what intrinsic value do you receive?

ZBP: I think you have to be passionate and want to give back what you got. (Zola is a volunteer assistant coach at Coastal Carolina University near Myrtle Beach.)

PS: What did running give you?

ZBP: Endurance-physical and emotional.

PS: What do you want to pass on to the kids you coach?

ZBP: Most importantly is a balance and perspective on life. You can enjoy running more if you know that even if you fail in a race, you don’t fail as a person.

PS: You seemed to disappear from competition in the early 90s, were you still running?

ZBP: I was still running but not at a high level. I had children and the focus changed from competition to fitness.

PS: What effect has motherhood and aging had on your training?

ZBP: There is a big shuffle in training after kids. You have to find time when you’re not too tired and when you have someone to watch them. With aging, you can still train hard but recovery time increases dramatically. You have to take care of your nutrition and eat healthier. When I was younger, I could eat anything and was fine; now I have to be conscious of what I eat.

PS: What brought you back to competition?

ZBP: For the experience and enjoying it again. Running has come full circle. This time I am running for myself because I really enjoy it. You go through various stages and then come back to health and well-being. This is good. I don’t feel any pressure.

PS: Are you eligible for the prize money at the Melbourne race?

ZB:  No, I’m not an American citizen.

PS: As soon as most runners hear your name, one or more of the following come to mind: world champion; barefoot runner; political victim and/or Mary Decker. How would you want people to remember you in the future?

ZBP: It’s difficult to say. On a personal level the legacy I would like to leave for my children would be for them to carry on their lives in a balanced and fulfilled manner.

PS: I’d read you completed your undergrad in psychology and had just finished up your masters in religion-based counseling. Did you choose this field of study to help you with what you’ve been through?

ZBP: Yes, I had started looking into my own life. It is only through helping others that you really get to help yourself.

PS: Many of us get our identity wrapped up in our sport or work. When those things start to decline, how does one separate that from who they really are and keep their sanity, self esteem, and peace?

ZBP: It’s difficult. When you’re doing well in that you forget what life is really about. It comes back to having balance and reminding what is really important to me every day. I don’t know what it is for others, but for me my faith keeps me sane.

PS: Has your spirituality helped you forgive those in your past?

ZBP: I practice proactive forgiveness. I forgive but it is hard to forget because you have to learn from your past.  I am at peace with the past.

PS: Most runners aren’t as fast as they used to be. How does one come to terms with that?

ZBP: It’s difficult. I’ll look at my watch at the five mile mark of a 10K and think ‘I’d be finished by now’. Laughs. That’s why you have to be running for personal satisfaction.

PS: What piece of advice would you give the young and upcoming world champions?

ZBP: It is so difficult to be in that situation. You’re so caught up with it, thinking only about your next training. Your whole world revolves around it. You don’t hear what other people are trying to tell you. Only when you have it taken away do you realize there is a life outside of sport. It is liberating.

PS:What piece of advice would you give to newer runners, especially those ages 40 and up?

ZBP: Every moment that you can put into your health now is an investment in the quality and longevity of your life, especially if you are lucky enough to live into your 70s and 80s.

PS: Do you see any cultural differences between the US and SA in terms of Masters running? ZBP: “Masters racing is very big here but small in SA. Most who are masters run with everyone else but it is starting to pick up in cross country. They are starting to separate (masters) at the higher level and for money.”

PS: How about any differences in cultures in terms of women running?

ZBP: Not really. Maybe in South Africa the males are a little more competitive. They don’t like women beating them.

PS: They don’t like it here either.

ZBP: Laughs.

PS: I’ve read the in SA, taxis are referred to as Zola Budds, any relation?

ZBP: They started that in the 80s when I was running internationally.

PS: Are you still recognized in SA?

ZBP: In my age group. Laughs

PS: Good luck in Melbourne!

ZBP: We’re looking forward to it.

RUNNING COVERAGE IN FLORIDA TODAY 

February 4, 2010

Handcycles make their debut in Melbourne race

BY PATTI SPONSLER
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

More than three dozen handcyclists pedaling sleek, three-wheeled chariots will roll through the 26.2-mile Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon course on Sunday.

The international mix of athletes, including several world and Paralympic champions, will be vying for a piece of the $2,500 purse being offered in what is the latest addition to the Marathon weekend line-up: the inaugural Top End Euro-America Handcycling Marathon Championship.

"This niche race came into being as I was trying to do something special and unique with the Challenged Athletes Foundation," said race founder Mitch Varnes. "We somehow zeroed in on handcycling and the need for a wintertime race in a warm climate location."

The timing of the new event, both on the calendar and in the sport's history, couldn't get any better.

"This is a good time of year because there aren't many races in February," said the Netherlands' Monique Van der Vorst, 25, who owns the women's handcycling marathon world record of 1 hour, 12 minutes and 1 second, and hopes to top the women's field in Melbourne. "Everyone can come to Florida and plan a training camp around this race." photo of Van der Vorst, above left, courtesy of Chris Peters, Top End.

For years, physically challenged athletes have competed in road-racing worldwide using push rim wheelchairs. Unfortunately, the chairs' design, which requires an upright, forward-leaning position, left many disabled potential athletes sitting on the sidelines. Handcycles, which were developed during the 1980s human-powered vehicle movement, turned out to be a barrier-breaker.

Using a combination of bicycling and wheelchair technology, the three-wheeled, hand-pedaled trikes offer a wide range of options in seating, gearing, pedal placement, and steering systems.

"Handcycles offer designs that will work for just about every disability out there," said Chris Peterson, founder and principal designer for Top End, the event's co-sponsor and a leading manufacturer of premium handcycles and racing wheelchairs. "The cool thing is that it is a great form of exercise for all ages whether disabled or able-bodied. You don't have to race to get some really fun exercise."

With increased accessibility and ease of use -- not to mention increasingly aerodynamic models -- the sport mushroomed worldwide during the past decade and made its Paralympic debut during the Athens Games in 2004.

While the sport is considered a cycling event in the Paralympic realm, road races that allow handcyclists are seeing a marked increase over wheelchair participants. During last October's Marine Corp Marathon in Washington, D.C., wheelchair athletes were outnumbered almost 15 to one by handcyclists.

However, not all race directors will allow handcyclists to roll off their starting lines. Reasons given typically include safety and logistical concerns about speeds that can reach in excess of 30 miles per hour on the flats -- more akin to a bicycle.

"There are different schools of thought," said Ian Lawless, executive director of U.S. Handcycling, the sport's national governing body. "Our official position is that handcycling is part of Paralympic cycling and that wheelchair racing is part of Paralympic track and field. By in large, the events that we sanction are cycling events."

With the sport still in relative infancy, however, attitudes are continuing to evolve and the Melbourne event -- which is now the sanctioned season opener for the 2010 U.S. Handcycling Series -- may help the sport reach a new level of maturity and inclusiveness.

"The Melbourne race is significant in that it represents a bit of a new direction for us," Lawless said. "It's a nice way for athletes in cold weather climates to get their competitive season under way and it is also bringing additional exposure and prize money to the sport. We have to embrace opportunity."

Additional Facts

Guide to the Handcycling Marathon

What: The Top End Euro-America Handcycling Marathon Championship is the newest addition to the Melbourne & Beaches Music Marathon weekend. The event is also the sanctioned, season opener for the 2010 U.S. Handcycling series.
When: The handcyclists will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of U.S. 1 and US 192 in Melbourne.
Prize purse: $2,500
Participants: More than three dozen athletes from 16 states and five countries have registered, including Paralympic gold and bronze medalist Oz Sanchez from San Diego; the Netherlands' Paralympic double-silver medalist and women's handcycling world record-holder, Monique Van der Vorst; and South African Paralympic gold medalist, Ernst Van Dyk.
Race Web site: www.themelbournemarathon.com

RUNNING COVERAGE IN FLORIDA TODAY

February 4, 2010

Nothing can slow paralyzed athlete

BY PATTI SPONSLER
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Carlos Moleda has always lived life large. ( Moleda photo at left courtesy Carlos Moleda.)

At 17, he dreamed of becoming a skateboarding champion, first coming to America to compete in 1979 and then returning the following year from his native Brazil to start a new life.

On Dec. 20, 1989, however, Moleda, who was by then a U.S. citizen and elite Navy SEAL, was hit by two bullets when his 10-man unit -- operating in Panama -- came under fire while helping to restore democracy.

In spite of being paralyzed from the waist down, Moleda knew adventure still beckoned.

"I realized that I was still the same person," said the upbeat 47-year-old Moleda, who lives in South Carolina and will be racing Sunday. "I knew that I would get my life back and that sports would be a huge part of it."

Instead of becoming the next Tony Hawk, however, Moleda became a husband, father, business owner, mentor and championship handcyclist and triathlete.

His athletic prowess has given him two national championships; a Sadlers (367-mile) Ultra Challenge win; and five Hawaiian Ironman World Championship medals, including thephysically-challenged world record of 10 hours, 30 minutes and 55 seconds.

Moleda also is a spokesperson for the Challenged Athletes Foundation and teaches kids with disabilities how to ride handcycles. He also mentors and coaches disabled veterans for CAF's Operation Rebound.

"I don't feel like a disabled person," he said. "I'm just a guy doing what he wants.

(RUN) ING MIAMI

An estimated 17 thousand runners and walkers lined up for the pre-dawn start of the eighth annual ING Miami Marathon and Half Marathon in balmy Miami on Sunday, Jan. 31. Participants began at American Airlines Arena and traveled through Miami Beach, downtown Miami, Little Havana, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables before returning downtown for a finish at Bayfront Park.

While most were well-tapered for their 13.1 or 26.2-mile adventures, Melbourne's Jim Schroeder, left, arrived at the "warm and humid" start with more mileage on his feet during the previous two days than many of the half-marathon participants probably ran in a week.

On Friday, the 62-year-old Harris research scientist had run 17 miles on Wickham Park's trails. On Saturday, he ran the Tiger Dash 5K; ran another 12 at Wickham to support the Action Jackson Surgical race; hopped in his car and drove to Miami and then slammed down the 4-7 p.m. expo shift for his pace team.

On race day, Jim paced the 5:00 group, pulling into the finish with a 4:59:21 chip time. Whew. Stud!

Congrats to Jim and all locals who finished the events including ING Miami Marathon finishers Todd Angel, 3:50:29; Kate Chapman, 4:11:55; Penny Churchill, 4:33:12; Kevin Cutright, 4:51:40; Molley Fahey, BQ, 3:30:57; Lisa Roberts, 4:28:30; David Rodriquez, 4:27:27; Jim Schroeder, 4:59:21; Derek Sichler, 3:58:04.

ING Miami Half-Marathon finishers Bob Arehart, 2:13:17; Jessie Caraballo, 2:06:59; Ed Cloak, 2:16:31; Vanessa Dance, 3:05:43; Tom Dean, 2:26:25; Diana Dias, 3:31:29; Crysta Doty, 2:55:30; Richard Dupuy, 2:51:49; Erika Feltz, 1:43:06; Kathy Flavin, 2:21:45; Jennifer Lepper, 2:05:35; Jennifer Mirenda, 3:37:58; Heather Mundy, 2:25:11; Ray Mundy, 2:25:11; Tom Oday, 3:02:13; Andres Perez, 1:39:56; Tanya Seaman, 2:30:14; Joann Sommers, 3:26:23; Chester Straub, 2:30:33; Jennifer Straub, 2:30:34; Karen Suarez, 2:42:34; Rick Suarez, 2:40:03; Kim Thorpe, 3:05:39; Julio Torres, 1:53:12; Lisa Valentine, 2:05:59; Erin Walker, 2:06:51; Doug Youngblood, 2:40:33; Keith Zoller, 2:30:34.

GIDDY UP! 

The organizers of the Ocala Marathon and Half-Marathon call it "Florida's most scenic race". Those who love horses, rolling hills and sun-dappled trees would have to agree. Ocala is known for its horse farms as there are more than 200 of them plus lots of training centers.

In 2001, the Marion Cultural Alliance launched “Horse Fever” which included 52 life-sized fiberglass horses decorated by area artists. They were displayed around town for months before they were sold at an auction that raised $1.2 million for charity. About half of the horses remain in the community and have gathered a huge following. You can see why when you check out http://www.horsefever.org/

The Ocala Marathon brings two of those horses to the race, with one sending the runners off and the other greeting them at the finish. This year more than 400 finished the two scenic routes including local half-marathon finishers Thadeus Austin, 6th oa, 1st 30-34, 1:27:01; Lisa Petrillo, 1:54:00; and Erin Schuck, 1:57:17. Fiona Wright finished the full in 4:54:39. Congrats to all! (Erin and Lisa in front of finish-line horse. Photo courtesy Erin Schuck.)

START YOUR ENGINES!

Close to 800 runners warmed up the track for the 48th running of the Rolex 24 in Daytona on Jan. 30. The 5K, which starts and finishes on the track in front of pit road, left, lets athletes race on the famed Daytona International Speedway. Those who sign up receive the usual race bling plus a ticket to the Rolex 24. We wonder how many stayed awake the whole time?

Congrats to local finishers Ronald Abel, 1st 25-29, 18:02.6, Thaddeus Austin, 1st 30-34, 17:48.1; Anna Berry, 32:26.0; Barbara Berry, 40:43.2; Andrew Chin, 25:43.9; Amy Clamons,  2nd 25-29, 22:00.9; Sarah Clamons, 28:37.5; Taylor Collier, 18:46.5; Tim Collier, 18:53.4; Timothy Crosby, 26:02.9; William Crosby, 37:35.3; Andrea Defrates, 33:32.1; Les Dunne, 28:05.2; Rene Dunne, 28:04.6; Victor Ellison, 3rd 12-14, 26:33.1; Suzie Enlow, 23:59.6; Randy Farner, 3rd 40-44, 20:26; Ken Flieder, 31:15.2; Sherry Heard, 31:14.6; Susan Houts, 26:03.5; Teresa Huff, 2nd 15-17, 20:45.1; Maria Huff, 28:40.5; George Johnson, 35:05.1; Patricia Johnson, 26:54.0; Howard Kanner, 2nd 40-44, 18:09.8; Brian Kessler, 2nd 50-54, 18:22; Brian King, 31:03.7; Jeffery Koeberl, 24:18.3; Annalisa Koeberl, 33:15.4; Heather Koeberl, 31:27.3; Kensey Kramer, 43:47.0; Aaron Larson, 26:08.2; Scott Larson, 19:13.4; Owen Leland, 27:02.9; Troy Main, 37:35.1; Tynesha Moran, 51:59.9; Ronald Norris, 24:22.1; Holly Phelabaum, 34:18.6; Gabrielle Pilcher, 28:31.3; Richard Pilcher, 38:46.1; Alexa Potier, 32:13.6; Justin Potier, 24:57.8; Jim Schaeffer, 19:28.8; John Schelke, 30:46.1; Charlie Smutko, 20:59.5; Krysten Smutko, 29:07.7; Danny Taurasi, 3rd 18-24, 18:45.1; David Taurasi, 19:31.0; Patricia Taurasi, 24:09.8; Caleb Webb 31:05.5; Glenn Webb 31:06.1; Jason White 25:00.8; Hank Wielgosz 25:48.2.

THE TIGER (STILL) DASHES!

You can’t keep a good - or fast - man down.

For more than 20 years, Melbourne’s 46-year-old Doug Butler has been winning road races at multiple distances in multiple locations. You have to wonder why neither Father Time nor a recent career change nor the 90 kids or 70 adults he coaches can slow him down. (Butler, at left, ripping up the Tiger Dash 5K.  Cathie Poor photo)

Maybe the secret is the addition of three-year-old grandson, Alex, to the household that keeps Butler young-at-heart and moving.

We had to find out. Below is what he told us in an Email  the day after his 16:53 victory at this year’s Tiger Dash 5K.

How did the race unfold between you, John (Davis, 2nd place) and Steve (Chin, 3rd place)?

I told John and Steve I was going to get them under 17:00, I felt I could run 16:45.  We backed it off a notch this week in training in order to be a bit fresher. I felt very heavy the first mile and my right-side sciatica was very sore, which is weird because it has been my left side the past few months that has hampered me. I led from start to finish and hit the mile in 5:30. I wanted to hit it in 5:20, but the wind out of the south kept the first mile slower than expected. I turned it up the second mile and hit it at 10:50 feeling pretty good. By that time Steve had dropped back about 15 seconds but John was only about seven seconds back. I took a look over my shoulder with a half mile to go and John was still seven or eight seconds back so I yelled “lets go”. I tried to go as hard as I could the last half-mile and never looked back again. I knew sub-17 was going to be close.

I've known you for what seems like about two decades now and you've always managed to stay at or near the front while most everyone else either burns out, fades away or slow downs.  Got any thoughts on that?

Yesterday made it 25 consecutive years that I have run at least one 5K in the 14s,15s, or 16s. My first sub-17:00 was in March of 1986 at the Superstars 5K in Grant and that seems like another life ago. It does not get any easier.

I feel very blessed with the gift God has given me along with the longevity and the good health to be able to compete with only minor injuries throughout that 25 years. I have had many great training partners over that 25-year period and that has contributed a great deal to my success. I think I owe much to my father and mother who passed on a hard work ethic and competitive sports attitude. My wife (Rhonda) has endured 24 years of my training and racing, which is more than any person can expect. The coaches  have taught me how to train more, race less, and train at the proper pace! This has allowed me to stay injury free and race faster when I do race.  But most of all, God has blessed me and I don't take anything for granted. He saved my life on November 12, 1978 and I don’t know where or what I would be if I were not a born-again Christian. I think our bodies are a gift that He has given us and what we chose to do with it is our gift back to Him.

About a month ago I was just tired and felt beat up and decided I can not train hard enough to race anymore. I wanted to run for fun. But after about two weeks of training with John and Steve, I knew I still had the fire to see what I could do and here I am. I think He will let me know when it is time but for now, I think He wants to use me in this manner to serve Him.

Do you attend CAV (Church at Viera)? It was cool that you flew their colors during the race…

We are members of CAV and Rhonda did the printing for Mark Ragsdale (the church pastor) about 20 years ago. He is phenomenal along with all the people there so I was very proud to be able to run with them yesterday.

Are you running the Melbourne and Beaches Music Half Marathon on Sunday?

Depends on the sciatica, if it is ok this week, I plan to do the half.

Complete race results and photos of the 2010 Tiger Dash 5K are at http://www.runningzone.com/results/2249?type=a . Matt Mahoney also has additional photos posted at http://mattmahoney.net/scr/index.html