3rd Annual 5KFVS 12 Run

Cape Girardeau, MO -- May 14, 2011
(Results @ SplitMaster Timing: http://www.splitmastertiming.com/assets/5Kfvs%20Final%20Results%20with%20Splits.pdf )
(Race photos available from Goddard Photography: http://www.goddardphotographyonline.com/f430416726 )

Good day to run. Hadn't planned on racing this one but Brandon's sectional race in St.L didn't start until noon so I had just enough time to "run and go". Elliott Shearon is the man today. Elliot stated he had biked around 240 miles for the week in prep for his upcoming Half-ironman races and his legs were hurting. We decided to go out together and then he could take off whenever he wished. He ended up pacing me through the entire course which was nice of him and helped me. I kept telling him to "go" from 2 miles on but he stayed with me until the final straight-away on Main Street. We then sprinted to the finish. My garmin mile splits were 5:49/5:47/5:46 and:23 seconds for the last .10 miles for a 17:45 second place finish to Elliot. Just enough rolling hills on the course to make it interesting and the only "tough" hill was getting up Independence street. Bramlett finishes a strong third with Joe W in fourth place.... Once again, the local Master's runners show up in force. SE Missouri definitely is a hotspot for the 40 and over running crowd. Well run event for a great cause.

-KHammes

All 500 slots filled for 3rd Annual 5KFVS 12 Run, but cool, rainy day scares a few away as there are only 344 on the starting line.  Race Director Stephanie Byars has a new course for 2011 which features lots of turns, challenging hills to finish off both the first and second miles, then one last cardio-blaster in the middle of mile three.  I'm not sure how much spunk will be in the "old man legs" after last week's hard 12K effort, but do have a plan on how I want to run the course, and will see how things shake out.  Start conservatively and finish first mile in 5th place overall.  Get to my "go" point on Fountain Steet having just moved into 3rd place, and the game plan fell into place.  Mile splits of 6:13 / 6:09 / 5:55 / and 0:27 on the downhill finish.  Third to Elliot Shearon and Kevin Hammes.  Joe Windeknecht and Paul Breitenstein both run solid sub-20s to take 4th and 5th respectively.  2011 Boston Marathoner Julie Wunderlich wins the female overall.  Stephanie continues to improve the event each year, and today raises nearly $10,000 for The United Way.

-KBramlett



344 participants head out from Hutson's Furniture in downtown Cape Girardeau.




Overall winner Elliot Shearon finishes seconds ahead of Kevin Hammes.




3rd Place Overall: Kevin Bramlett




4th Place Overall: Joe Windeknecht



Saturday-Seven 12K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- May 7, 2011
(Results @ SplitMaster Timing: http://www.splitmastertiming.com/assets/Saturday%207%20Final%20Splits.pdf )

The former Sunday-Seven 7-mile race makes its debut as the Saturday-Seven 12K.  The new course is certified and state record-eligible.  Seventy-one runners take the line under a cloud cover that would soon turn into a pouring rain.  Five new state record holders are crowned.  Carol Winter (F-49), William Zoughaib (M-12), Brian Pickard (M-37), Kevin Hammes (M-45), and Kevin Bramlett (M-49).  Overall winners were Taylor Vaughan and Chellie Jannin.

To break the M-49 state record, it would be necessary for me to average a 6:29 pace.  Plan was to start around 6:35 - 6:40, ease into today's race effort, get to the turn-around point in about 24:00 minutes or so, then make a strong push to finish.  Made three attempts to pick up the pace, but could never get settled in.  Hit the five mile split at 32:24 (6:29 pace).  Was not comfortable and it was now pouring rain.  Knew that if I didn't go now, would probably come up short.  Put my head down and took off.  Finished off the last 2.46 miles in 15:08 (6:10 pace).  Ran the first three miles with Steve Schmittzehe who would finish 4th overall.  Good company and the miles and time flew by.  Lots of support, encouragement, and cooperation from other runners on the trip back, including a timely pick me up low-five from Bobby Hearnes.  Andy Johnson ran a solid race.  Lenny Martin was a warrior.

-KBramlett

The local racing community had been waiting for this race for several months as many wanted a crack at the 12K Missouri state records.  71 runners toed the line to compete in the first 12K race in Cape Girardeau. 

Cloudy day and looked like it could start raining at any time as we lined up for the out-and-back on the Osage Trail from our starting point.  I lined up by local triathlete extraordinare Taylor Vaughan and was looking to stay as close to him as I could for as long as I could.  He always sets a brisk pace.  I hit the 6K turnaround point at 22:25, 18 seconds behind Taylor and we started back as it began to spit rain at this point.  It began to rain steadily at the 4 mile mark and was pouring as we came over the bridge and off the Osage trail for a sprint to the finish.  Taylor held true to form and maintained a good even pace and I was only able to gain a few seconds back during the back half of the race.  He finished with a 44:51.7 for the win;  I finished 14 seconds behind him with an elapsed time of 45:05.2.

I was happy with my race and several new state records were established.  My training partner Kevin Bramlett finished third overall with a 47:32.4 and established a new 49 year old record by negative splitting his race... Solid racing strategy as usual.   Steve Schmittzehe finished another solid effort by coming in forth overall with a time of 49:04.  Andy Johnson rounded out the top 5 male finishers with a 50:10 as he continues to improve with each race.  The local boys represented Cape county well today.  21 runners ran under 60 minutes today.

Top 5 women finishers:

1.  Chellie Jannin, Jackson, MO ----------------------------  57:43 2.  Kate Wayman, Cape Girardeau, MO -----------------  58:54 3.  Sarah Eftink, Cape Girardeau, MO -------------------  59:52 4.  Carol Winter, Uniontown, MO -------------------------  1:00:00.3  Female Master's winner 5.  Jeanie Asher, Cape Girardeau, MO -------------------  1:02:51

--KHammes

While most runners are resetting their Garmins, soon to be state record holder Carol Winter
and overall winner Taylor Vaughan are ready to roll.




Male Overall Winner: Taylor Vaughan.




Female Overall Winner: Chellie Jannin.




Three of Missouri's newest state record holders: (L to R) Kevin Bramlett (M-49),
William Zoughaib (M-12), and Kevin Hammes (M-45).



2011 Spring Classic 5K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- April 30, 2011
(Results @ Cape Road Runners: http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm )

The 2011 Spring Classic featured a new, improved, and accurate 5K course.  One of the year's Grand Prix Races, the event draws 46 runners to raise money for the Cape Girardeau PD's K-9 Unit.  Joe Windeknecht takes the overall win with a charging Paul Schell seconds behind.  Chellie Jannin wins the female overall.

-KBramlett



46 runners compete in the 2011 Spring Classic.




Female overall winner Chellie Jannin.




Pacing Mr. Aldridge: The photograph Shannon may never live down.



Hope for Africa 10K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- April 23, 2011