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.