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)