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.

RUNNING ON FAITH

Titusville’s Randall Crosby began running less than two years ago. While learning the ins and outs of any new sport has its challenges, Crosby’s blindness adds an extra twist.  The 46-year-old father of two, who manages a café at KSC, shares his experiences with humor and grace plus offers some encouragement for all of us. Read his unedited account of his longest race to date – the Space Walk of Fame 8K – by clicking on the tab “Running Blind” at the top of the page. (Crosby, left, runs with one of his training partners, George Gabriel.)

WHAT’S A TAPER?

After winning the second spot on the men’s US Olympic Triathlon team in Tucscaloosa, AL last weekend, Matt Reed flew to St. Petersburg Florida and took his second St. Anthony’s Triathlon victory in as many years. The 6-foot, 5-inch, 33-year-old Boulder resident whipped through the .93-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and 6.2-mile run in 1:46:34.

After finishing second at St. Anthony’s last year, 27-year-old Colorado Springs pro Sarah Haskins took the top spot in the ladies’ race in 1:59:24 and was the only woman to break two hours.

Sunday’s race was the 25^th annual for St. Anthony’s which, over the years, has hosted some of triathlon’s heaviest hitters and, in the earlier days, was a Kona qualifier.  The race began in 1984 with 600 participants – huge for a Florida race at that time – and has continued to grow. More than 3,500 crossed yesterday’s finish line.

Locals who competed included Joel Dodds, 46, Rockledge, 2:31:06; John Fitzgerald, 39, Cocoa, 3:35:01; Chris Gaston, 56, Satellite Beach, 3:11:01; Tom Hoffman, 56, Melbourne Beach, 2:28:11; Elly Kabbord, 24, Cocoa Beach, who raced elite amateur in 2:26:28 (That's Elly, at left, leaving T2 during the 2006 Florida Challenge Half IM in Clermont); Cliff Leffler, 41, Cocoa, 3:04:16; Deborah Marino, 51, Indialantic, 3:41:16; Rich Marino, 57, Indialantic, 3:08:18; Mike Melton, 33, Melbourne, 2:55:35; Wes Ott, 53, Cocoa Beach, 10th age group, 2:20:50; Juan Posada, 50, Rockledge, 3:09:04; Tricia Rydson, 35, Melbourne Beach, 2:30:09; Andre Swierzbin, 53, Melbourne, 9th Clydesdale 50+, 2:50:47; Karla Torpy, 50, Melbourne, 3:53:43; Tommy Turek, 32, 2:45:44; Mark Wolfgang, 35, 2:19:45.

Complete results can be found at:

http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2008results/stanthonystriathlon042708.html

26.2 FOR YOU AND YOU AND YOU

Congratulations to Richard Raley, Melbourne, 4:41:30; Fiona Wright, Palm Bay, 5:18:57 and Wayne Wright, Melbourne, 5:08:09 who finished the April 27 OKC Memorial Marathon in Oklahoma City, OK. Beautiful Big Sur, CA also hosted several races on April 27 and local finishers in the Marathon included Charis Gaines, Viera, 5:24:00; Sarah Guttery, Titusville, 3:41:13 and Marty Winkel, Titusville, 4:11:37. Nancy Rowan, also of Titusville, finished the 10.6-miler in 1:51:42 and Andrea and James Shaffer of Rockledge each crossed the line of the nine-miler in 1:31:33. At left is Sarah Guttery also leaving T2 at the 2006 Florida Challenge Half IM in Clermont.

THAT’S A FLOCK OF FLAMINGOES

Holy Smokes! Saturday’s Melbourne Art Fest Flamingo 5K registered 1,700 walkers and runners with more than 1,400 crossing completing the 3.1-mile course that included an out-and-back over the “Mt. Melbourne” Causeway.

For the third time in as many years, 21-year-old Christian Minor took the race in 15:46 – one second off of last year’s finish. Beating last year’s time by 37 seconds and moving up one spot was Melbourne’s Chris Rego, 19, who took second in 16:19. Andrew Bautel, 25 and also from Melbourne was third in 16:28. West Melbourne’s Mike Wasson, 42, grabbed Master’s (40+) with his fourth overall finish in 16:37.

In the ladies race, 22-year-old Jessica Crate took the top spot and fourteenth overall with her 17:46 finish. Palm Bay’s Tracy Smith, 35, was second in 19:44 followed for third by Karen Minor, Christian Minor’s mom, in 20:19.  Sue O’Malley, 47, from Port Orange took Master’s in 20:35. At left Robin Hernandez photo of Crate and Smith post-race.

Complete results are available at:

http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2008results/melbourne5k042608.html

30 years ago, Orlando’s Track Shack began their Grand Prix Racing Series which quickly became one of the largest and most competitive in the state. This season’s seven-race series was no exception and when the dust had settled two local runners had taken first in the age divisions. While the Series awards go five deep overall, only one award is given in each age group, making the honor even more impressive.  Congrats to Merritt Island’s Ed Springer for his win in the 30-34 category and Sue Strout, also of Merritt Island, for her 50-54 victory!  Strout in photo at left

REGISTER SOON



The June 1 Pineapple Man triathlon in Melbourne is filling up fast and less than 150 spots are left.  Register at http://rotarypineappleman.com/  Marine Corp Marathon registration opens at noon on Wed. and is expected to fill up fast.  For info and application log on to http://marinemarathon.com/page11.aspx

BEANTOWN AT ITS BEST

Boston does not get much better than it did today.  With minimal winds and temps ranging between the mid 40s and 50s, few could log any complains against the weather.

And where else but Boston could you find a former homeless smoker, Kenya’s Robert Cheruiyot, winning the coveted title for the fourth time, left, allowing him to enjoy the rarified air of Bill Rodgers and Gerard Cote, who also hold four titles? All three, however, may never catch Clarence DeMar who holds the record of seven wins.

Cheruiyot, who set the course record of 2:07:16 last year, broke away from a four-man pack as they entered the Newton Hills, knocking down the fastest mile of the race – a 4:37 – and running unchallenged to a 2:07:46 win and $150,000.

While the Keyan finished solo, spectators on Boylston Street watched the closest women’s finish in Boston history unfold as Russia’s Alevtina Biktimirova and Ethiopian’s Dire Tune tried to break one another during the final 600 meters of the race.

At the line, Tune, left, after crossing the line, who had allowed the Russian to pull her along for several miles, had the strength to finally out-kick her, taking the 2:25:25 win – as well as $150K – by two seconds.

Also among the 25,000 participants were 23 locals, 12 of whom (* next to name) re-qualified for next year’s race. Melbourne’s Pat McCormick threw down Brevard’s fastest time of 3:14:59, followed by Kerstin Dea, left, who grabbed both the second fastest local time as well as the top local ladies time of 3:20:08 – 15 minutes faster than her qualifying time of 3:35:08 at the Space Coast Marathon in November. Others receiving the coveted medal include Todd Angell, 34, Cocoa, 3:27:17; Danny Barrett, 43, Cocoa, 3:48:36; Rudy Behrend, 44, Cocoa Beach, 4:15:14; Daniel Cochran*, 46, Titusville, 3:22:15; Suzie Enlow*, 45, Merritt Island, 3:55:42; Rick Foresteire, 61, Merritt Island, 5:27:26; Robin Hernandez*, 42, Palm Bay, 3:49:41; Eleanor Hunt*, 66, Indialantic, 4:45:38; Wolfgang Jensen, 56, Indialantic, 3:59:03; Alan LaMotte, 55, Satellite Beach, 3:57:59; Michael Lanam, 46, Sebastian, 4:22:27; Anne Marie Logan*, 46, Indialantic, 3:54:12; Meredith Neff, 28, Melbourne, 4:26:19; Annis Outlaw*, 49, Titusville, 3:44:19; John Ouweleen*, 67, Sebastian, 3:27:53; Mercedes Pliego*, 41, Melbourne Beach, 3:37:29; Cathie Poor, 46, Rockledge, 4:09:38; Jeff Reed*, 44, Indialantic, 3:25:02; Linda Smith*, 48, Indian Harbour Beach, 3:55:47; Gary Stutte, 51, Titusville, 3:52:18; Angela Wells*, 42, Merritt Island, 3:44:41.

For complete race results, log on to http://www.baa.org/

FLORIDA TODAY story on local finishers at http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080422/SPORTS/804220336/1002/SPORTS

PASS THE KLEENEX, PLEASE

Why is it we can become so emotional when we watch others race?  Maybe it is because, as humans who engage in running and multi-sport, we see our own fears, joy, determination and strategy reflected back to us by those who are competing. We become them or they become us – either way, it gets personal.

Watching today’s women’s Olympic marathon trials, start at left, on the NBC webcast was really about watching racing at some of its finest.

Going into today’s Boston event, all eyes were on Deena Kastor, as the 35-year-old Mammoth Lakes 2004 Olympic marathon bronze medalist had qualified for the trials with a 2:19:36 American record at the 2006 London Marathon, some 12+ minutes ahead of the rest of the qualifying field.

Within the first mile, however, relative dark-horse Magdalena Lewy-Boutet, (left) a polish immigrant who became a United States citizen on 9-11 - yes, that 9-11- pulled ahead of the rest of the pack. With a qualifying time of 2:42:38, however, many wrote her off as someone who would soon fade.

They forgot that Lewy-Boulet, the mother of a three-year-old son, had a personal best of 2:30:50.

With seven miles to go, Kastor trailed by 1:30 and Lewy-Boulet was still running strong. Commentators were then wondering if Kastor was sitting back, content to *just* finish in the top three to earn her spot to Bejeng. After all, she still has to compete in the women’s Olympic 10K trials coming up on June 27 in Eugene, OR.

With questions flying, Kastor began to show the strength that has given her several American records at multiple distances as her speed visibly picked up on camera.

By mile 23, she was 11 seconds down, a gap she narrowed within the next half mile.  As she got ready to pass Lewy-Boulet, Kastor moved to the opposite side of the road, hoping to make her work for a draft.  Lewy-Boulet did, indeed, cross the road to latch on, but stayed only long enough for the two women to get through the final aid station.

From then on, the race was Kastors but she may not have known it until she got onto Boylston Street and gave a backward glance. From then on, Kastor was all smiles and waves as she continued to hammer toward the finish – the last 2/10^th waving an American flag given to her by one of the thousands of spectators, many who will be running the prestigious Boston Marathon in the morning. At 2:29:35, Kastor gained the first Olympic birth (left) and became one of only six women to break 2:30 in the marathon trials.  Forty-four seconds later, a seemingly disappointed Lewy-Boulet hit the line in 2:30:19, gaining the second spot on her new country’s team.

It what she later described as “redemption”, Blake Russell, took the third spot in 2:32:40.  The 32-year-old 32:31 10K qualifier with a marathon PR of 2:29:10, had finished fourth in the 2004 Olympic trials.

All three members of the 2008 Beijing team embraced Joan Benoit Samuelson (left) – the winner of the first women’s Olympic marathon - as she crossed the line of what she has stated will be her final competitive marathon, in 2:49:08, an American record for the women’s 50-54 age group. At the finish, the bright yellow cap which had sat atop her head at the start of the race had been replaced by a Boston Red Sox hat - identical to the one she wore as she won her first Boston Marathon.

WOW!

ONLY THE TOP

Alas, 36 hours post-race, results from the Space Walk of Fame 8K and 2-miler are still not available.  But, a photo or two is worth a thousand words, so we've posted Cedric Ching's shots of the overall and Master's (40+) male and female winners.  Mike Wasson, who already nailed the Space Coast Runners Runner of the Year series win at last week's Downtown Melbourne 5K, finished the season with another victory yesterday in 27:35.  Steve Hedgespeth, a former three-time series champ, nailed second for the 2007-08 season with his 28:38 second place finish. Although Ron Abel finished third overall male in yesterday's race with his 29:02, he was really fourth overall behind Series winner, Jessica Crate, who blew through the course in 29-flat.  Art Anderson took another Master's win in 30:52.

In the women's race, Teresa Calo took second in 32:46 followed for third by Denise Logue in 33:23. Robin Hernandez, who has chased Nancy Buonanni for Master's during the last few races, finally pulled it off in 34:18. 

Congrats to all!  Check out all of Cedric's Space Walk of fame photos at http://public.fotki.com/CedricCSCFL/space-walk-of-fame-/  Keep checking www.spacecoastrunners.org for complete results.

KEEP TO THE RIGHT
West Melbourne's Rob Downey, sent us his race report from yesterday's Escape from Ft. DeSoto sprint triathlon in St. Petersburg which included a half-mile swim, 10-mile bike and four mile run. We share it in its unedited version:

I almost bailed on the Ft. DeSoto 'Escape' race believing I was not in condition. But sometimes you can surprise yourself when the endorphins kick in and the body goes to auto-pilot, doing what it's done so many times before. I'm glad I raced, finishing third in M55-59. The swim may have been my worst ever at 15th out of the water and I won't make the excuse of not wearing a 'float suit' like everyone else in my wave. I'm just slow. But when it was time to use the legs I took off for the usual 'road hunt'.