Wynne, AR -- November 5, 2011 (Results @ Midsouth Marathon: http://www.midsouthmarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=site.display&page_id=1656 )
Second trip to Arkansas in three weeks on November 5th for the 13th Annual Midsouth Championship Marathon and Half-Marathon. There’s a lot to offer from this “small town” race that has been featured in Running Times Magazine (http://www.racesonline.com/images/site_images/midsouth_article.jpg). As part of the annual Arkansas Grand Prix, the event offers a certified course, BQ eligibility for marathoners, excellent course support, and a well-organized event staff. Both races begin at the local high school. Runners climb up and over Crowley’s Ridge, take a scenic out-and-back along its base, then return back for a second up and over before continuing to the football stadium for a finish on the track. This year’s event draws 228 for the half marathon, and 191 for the full. The FM field includes Arkansas’ Olympic hopeful Leah Thorvilson who will be using the race as a training run.
This will be my second attempt at the half marathon distance after a less than spectacular rookie try. Hopefully, I’ve learned something as the training was extended and tweaked, the taper more thought out, the fuel and hydration plan more suited to race day conditions, and the race strategy more tailored to fitness level than to some pie-in-the-sky goal time.
Actually go out slower than planned, but settle in about four miles in and move up from eighth to fifth between miles two and four. Remain in fifth at the turnaround and into the tenth mile. Into the second mile of a three mile elevation increase up the ridge, I overtake the fourth place runner. The third place runner hits a wall at around the 11.5 mile mark on the crest of the hill. Was much better prepared to finish strong this time around, and pull away for third overall with a 3:26 PR chip time of 1:28:01.
Would recommend this race to any SEMO runner. Wishing they will get as nice a day to compete as I received.
--KBramlett
Top finishers were:
HALF MARATHON (MALE)
|
Rank | Name (Age) | Hometown | Chip Time |
1. | Cody Lemmons (21) | Munford, TN | 1:22:06 |
2. | Michael Barnes (42) | Arlington, TN | 1:26:55 |
3. | Kevin Bramlett (50) | Jackson, MO | 1:28:01 |
4. | Jeff Chastain (32) | Jonesboro, AR | 1:29:05 |
5. | Martin Greenwood (23) | Jonesboro, AR | 1:29:06 |
HALF MARATHON (FEMALE)
|
Rank | Name (Age) | Hometown | Chip Time |
1. | Kris Huff (47) | Cordova, TN | 1:31:32 |
2. | Tia Stone (32) | Searcy, AR | 1:34:38 |
3. | Kemberly Thomas (37) | Searcy, AR | 1:35:36 |
4. | Leslie Brahm (40) | Cordova, TN | 1:40:51 |
5. | April Johnson (35) | Holly Grove, AR | 1:41:51 |
FULL MARATHON (MALE)
|
Rank | Name (Age) | Hometown | Chip Time |
1. | Justin Radke (36) | Little Rock, AR | 2:46:26 |
2. | Mark Ferguson (38) | Little Rock, AR | 2:58:27 |
3. | Kevin Golden (45) | Maumelle, AR | 2:59:26 |
4. | Matt Walker (38) | Batesville, AR | 3:06:42 |
5. | Doug Boomer (37) | Hendersonville, TN | 3:07:48 |
FULL MARATHON (FEMALE)
|
Rank | Name (Age) | Hometown | Chip Time |
1. | Leah Thorvilson (32) | Little Rock, AR | 2:57:14 |
2. | Tracy Tungac (29) | Bryant, AR | 3:10:21 |
3. | Tammy Walther (40) | Little Rock, AR | 3:33:05 |
4. | Lia Kinsey (37) | Alma, AR | 3:35:00 |
5. | Blair Mast (41) | Jonesboro, AR | 3:35:06 |
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| Leah Thorvilson (running skirt) leads the pack from Wynne High School. |
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| Cross Country Ramblers Running / Walking Club spare no expense on the awards. |
