Hoops for Life 3

Cape Girardeau, MO -- July 14, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

Hoops for Life 3

Kiwanis Park sees the first signs of activity shortly after dawn as it prepares to host what may grow to the largest road race in area history. Entry numbers begin to dwarf those seen in the past. The 325 for the Hoops for Life 1 in 2009; surpassed long ago. The 562 in 2010; in the rearview mirror. Registration on race day is strong, and shortly before 8:00 a.m., as the participants take their places on the starting line, the gravity of Sahara’s star has captured a record 651 registrants from nearly 20 different states.

The assembled field is competitive and deep.  Any athletes hoping to take home an overall trophy or age group award must bring out an effort necessary to run times that have never been recorded on this demanding course.  A break in the recent heat wave, and a crystal clear July sky, give many all the opportunity needed to do just that.

Following prayer led by Brian Jannin and Emily Hagan’s crisp rendition of the National Anthem,  Shannon Aldridge gives the “start” order.  With Tyler Mullen in tow, Chris Loseman, Alex Zizzer, and Eric Schott will separate early.  The battle continues for the entire 3.1 hilly miles until Zizzer edges out the remaining duo of Loseman and Schott at the finish line.  Zizzer breaks the tape in a course recordbreaking 15:56 with Loseman second in 15:58, and Schott third at 16:02.  Mullen follows at 17:21.  With fifth place on the line, spectators are treated to another viewing of “The Matt Pfau Kick”.  Matt’s strong finish propels him through the chute in 17:50.

Early Pace Setters: Overall Winner Alex Zizzer (184), Second Overall Chris Loseman (700),
and Fourth Overall Tyler Mullen (170).

Third Overall Eric Schott. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

The "Matt Pfau Kick" in full flight: Fifth Overall Matt Pfau (right)
and Sixth Overall Kevin Hammes (left).

Stuart Calderwood, 50-54 AG American Track Recordhholder at 25K and 30K,
turns in a 81.2% National Class Age-Graded time of 18:46. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Donning her traditional Hoops for Life #21 bib in honor of Sahara Aldridge, Ashley Schmittzehe shines in winning the female overall title.  Working with good friend Kristen Dippold, Ashley’s 20:16 blisters her own female course record by 0:53 seconds, and her personal 5K road PR by 0:11 seconds.

Ashley Schmittzehe (21) puts the final kick on her recordbreaking run with
Under 15 Age Group Winner Coleman Erwin (left). (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Dippold takes second with her 20:22.  The Hession girls are third and fourth.  Kacy Hession finishes in 20:37 and Bailey Hession in 20:49.  Breanna Conklin (20:51) rounds out the top five.  All five of the young ladies posts times faster than the previous female course record.

Second Overall Female Kristen Dippold.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Third Overall Female Kacy Hession.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Over 510 runners and walkers will finish the course.  Below is the full list of Overall and Age Group Winners:

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Alex Zizzer (15:56)			FEMALE OVERALL: Ashley Schmittzehe (20:16)
01-15	Coleman Erwin (20:15)		01-15	Hannah Shemonia (24:59)
16-19	Nate Martin (19:07)		16-19	Bailey Hession (20:49)
20-24	Chris Loseman (15:58)		20-24	Kristen Dippold (20:22)
25-29	Bradley Mueth (23:52)		25-29	Nicole Bolen (22:37)
30-34	Bryan Kelpe (17:54)		30-34	Nichole Clippard (22:05)
35-39	Andy Johnson (19:05)		35-39	Mary Evans (21:37)
40-44	Doug Ambler (20:48)		40-44	Tracy Metzger (23:40)
45-49	Kevin Hammes (17:51)		45-49	Chris Brady (25:40)
50-54	Stuart Calderwood (18:46)		50-54	Stacy Creamer (22:35)
55-99	Dan Farrar (23:46)		55-99	Renee Brown (27:54)

The daylong celebration shifts to Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus for the evening events.  Opening ceremonies get underway with an inspirational rendition of Bill Withers’ 1972 classic “Lean on Me” performed by Broderick Twiggs, Lauren Dumey, Mary Bauer, and Riley Bauer. 

They are followed by Shannon and Amy Aldridge addressing the crowd with words of passion and dedication for Sahara, Hoops for Life, and The Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital’s Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program at Stanford University.  Hearing the passion and seeing the dedication leaves the audience with no doubt of the final outcome of this fight!

The packed house is on their feet the rest of the night.  Rocker Rick Springfield hits the stage and tears into the rambunctious “Who Killed Rock-N-Roll”.  Springfield continues though an electric and energetic set which includes most all of his top 40 hits, covers of Paul McCartney & Wings “Jet” and The Beatles “We Can Work it Out”, and the fitting tribute “Saint Sahara”.  The Sammy Hagar penned “I’ve Done Everything for You” is the perfect ending to a day that has seen Shannon and Amy take things to a whole new level.

In a few short days, pediatric brain tumor research will receive a substantial donation of the proceeds from today’s celebration (UPDATE Aug. 13, 2012:  Final Total = $21,110.00!!).  Months or years from now, a cure will be found and parents will not have to watch as their child is stolen by this brutal killer.  Decades from now, people will talk about Hoops for Life 3.  Sahara’s memory will live FOREVER…"Mi Ma Mi, Mi Ma Mi, Mi Ma Mi, Mi Ma Mi"…

--KBramlett

Rocker Rick Springfield returns to Cape Girardeau.

Happy Birthday, Hoops! (photo by Natalie Manley)

 

Big News for SEMO Runners

Cape Girardeau, MO -- July 20, 2012

Missouri Running Company announces as of August 1st they will become locally owned and operated by current management Bryan and Kim Kelpe along with Frank Dietiker.  They will remain a part of the Missouri Running Family as the first Franchised location and look forward to the opportunity to contine supporting and growing fitness in the Southeast Missouri region.

Capaha Classic 5K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- July 14, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

A steady morning shower does little to tarnish the Silver Anniversary running of Cape Parks and Recreation's Capaha Classic 5K.  At start time, over 70 rain-soaked runners stand ready in front of the Boat House on West End Boulevard, set to tackle one of the Grand Prix’s most difficult courses.  The hilly terrain will make for an excellent tune-up for next week’s Hoops for Life 3.

Overall winner Kevin Hammes (18:08) lays low for the first kilometer before overtaking the field and holding off Roy Leighton (18:10) in the final stretch.  Joe Windeknecht (19:08) uses a late surge to pull away from Andy Johnson (19:12) for third overall.

Ashley Schmittzehe (21:49) returns to the winner’s circle this week.  Next in is Zhao Ni Dirnberger (22:12) who follows her solid Independence Day 5K performance with another spot at the head of the field.  Tara Johnson is third overall in 22:58.

In addition to the always generous awards, this year's event features a commemorative event tee shirt featuring a runner sporting the shirt from the inaugural race.

--KBramlett

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: 1.      Kevin Hammes (18:08) 2.      Roy Leighton (18:10) 3.      Joe Windeknecht (19:08)			FEMALE OVERALL: 1.      Ashley Schmittzehe (21:49) 2.      Zhao Ni Dirnberger (22:12) 3.      Tara Johnson (22:58)
01-14	Coleman Erwin (20:49)		01-14	Jenya Zoughaib (23:49)
15-19	Jacob Cieslewicz (19:19)		15-19	Kasey Crowden (23:30)
20-24	Desmond Howard (20:13)		20-24	Lindsey Wehmeyer (23:17)
25-29	Matt Tisher (23:55)		25-29	Mandy Sutton (29:33)
30-34	Jeremy Klump (26:31)		30-34
35-39	Andy Johnson (19:12)		35-39	Chellie Jannin (23:35)
40-44	Duane Emmons (23:33)		40-44	Alice McRoberts (29:18)
45-49	Steve Schmittzehe (20:26)		45-49	Lora Coots (25:43)
50-59	Kevin Bramlett (19:44)		50-59	Paula Castleman (25:42)
60-69	Mitch Gerber (23:49)		60-99	Renee Brown (27:22)
70-99	Bill Burlison (47:01)

Independence Day 5K

Jackson, MO -- July 4, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

4^th of July 2012 and as tradition dictates, area runners gather at HealthPoint Fitness in Jackson for the annual Independence Day 5K.  A total of 330 (277 runners and 53 walkers) will participate this morning to raise money for Southeast HEALTH’s Cancer Programs and Children’s Health.

Several days of record highs have been the norm.  Heat-seekers are not disappointed as temperatures reach the low 80s with a 71° dew point by the 7:30 a.m. start.  A new course for 2012 will challenge the racers with an additional 40 feet of inclines and several more hairpin turns on the narrow park trail.

The race typically draws some of the top local collegiate and high school runners.  This this year is no different and MSSU’s Eric Schott is present to set the tempo.  Eric fulfills his responsibilities by leading the field from the start while posting a winning time of 16:21.  Oak Ridge High School’s Ethan Seyer is next to hit the finish chute in 17:54, holding off a hard charging Matt Pfau who is in with a 17:55.  Arkansas States’s Riley Talbut (18:45) and Norte Dame Bulldog Jacob Meadors (18:50) round out the top five.

In route to Maryville University, Taylor Dickerson “two-peats” the female field with her 20:30 finish.  She is followed by soon to be Saint teammate Ashley Schmittzehe at 21:25. Breanna Conklin, another Norte Dame product, is third with a 21:32.  Kristen Richard is 0:10 seconds back in 21:42 for fourth, and Jackson's Zhao Ni Dirnberger's 21:53 places her fifth.

--KBramlett

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Eric Schott (16:21)			FEMALE OVERALL: Taylor Dickerson (20:30)
01-14	Coleman Ervin (20:11)		01-14	Chelsea Drum (22:28)
15-19	Ethan Seyer (17:54)		15-19	Ashley Schmittzehe (21:25)
20-24	Matt Pfau (17:55)		20-24	Valerie Drewett (23:27)
25-29	Todd Brucker (23:57)		25-29	Nicole Bolen (21:59)
30-34	Tripp Logan (19:13)		30-34	Jennifer Maroscher (22:40)
35-39	Jason Renaud (21:49)		35-39	Chellie Jannin (23:30)
40-44	Thad Lake (22:29)		40-44	Missy Janzow (23:15)
45-49	Steve Schmittzehe (19:59)		45-49	Christine Brady (26:40)
50-54	Kevin Bramlett (19:22)		50-54	Cindy Drewett (23:50)
55-59	Dan Farrar (23:31)		55-59	Sarah Turnbow (30:09)
60-99	Harvey Roberts (31:27)		60-99	Renee Brown (27:30)

Field of 330 are off at the gun...

...with top finishers Ethan Seyer (lime green-bib #108), Eric Schott (blue-bib #101),
and Taylor Dickerson (pink top) out front quickly.

Fourth Annual Furry 5K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- June 16, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

The Fourth Annual Fitness Plus Furry 5K moves to Missouri Running Company in 2012.  Saint Francis Medical Center’s inpatient rehabilitation pet therapy program wins big as this year’s race draws a record number of participants; of both the two-legged and four-legged kind.

The new course features a hilly loop through a residential area behind Mo Run Co, followed by a two-mile north out-and-back on the LaCroix Trail.  The course is extremely spectator friendly as the crowd will get to see the racers at the start, mile one, and finish.

A warm and humid day does not stop some of the pack leaders from taking the field out quickly.  Notre Dame’s Michael Nelson passes the one mile marker pushing a 5:30 pace and is followed by a large number of other runners over the next sixty seconds.  Overall winner Kevin Hammes will take charge about 400 meters later and lead the rest of the way finishing in 17:54.  Nelson will follow in 18:33 and Andy Johnson rounds out the top three with a solid 18:51.

Ashley Schmittzehe makes it two wins in two weeks as she crosses the finish line ahead of all other female runners in 22:35.  It is a clean sweep for the Schmittzehe Clan this morning as little sister Megan wins the Under 19 Division and daddy Steve claims the 45-49 Men’s Age Group.  Kate Wayman, with dog Maggie, takes the second spot on the female side with a 23:35.  Kelly Hannenburger and her K9 Ellie are third at 23:59.

--KBramlett

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Kevin Hammes (17:54)			FEMALE OVERALL: Ashley Schmittzehe (22:35)
01-19	Michael Nelson (18:33)		01-19	Megan Schmittzehe (29:31)
20-24	Nick Grassi (25:05)		20-24	Candice Snider (31:15)
25-29	Eric Daume (22:20)		25-29	Kate Wayman (23:35)
30-34			30-34	Rachel Zahner (42:10)
35-39	Andy Johnson (18:51)		35-39	Melissa Schwab (25:42)
40-44	Joe Windeknecht (19:21)		40-44	Dee Johnson (30:28)
45-49	Steve Schmittzehe (20:27)		45-49	Suzanne Garoian (27:42)
50-54	Ron Rosati (21:36)		50-54	Mary Ann Heinsman (29:47)
55-59	Greg Harrison (27:44)		55-59	Peggy Hill (30:24)
60-99	Mitch Gerber (24:04)		60-99	B.J. Bowman (47:00)



Field of 80 runners and 34 K9s are off at the gun. (photo by Zach Young)

 

Kevin Hammes looks for the finish line in route to his overall win. (photo by Zach Young)

 

Second Place Overall: Michael Nelson.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)

 

Overall Female Winner: Ashley Schmittzehe.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)

 

Top Dog: Zoey hits the finish chute with Doug Ambler in 21:01.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)