32nd Annual City of Roses Half-Marathon / 5K

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

The 2012 City of Roses Half-Marathon / 5K relocates to the Osage Center for the 32^nd running.  Numbers are up this year with 240 HMers and 110 5Kers.  In addition, a late entry, Mother Nature, apparently intends to lend her influence on the outcomes with a steady to pouring rain in store for all participants as races get underway.

Overall Winner Chris Loseman

The Half-Marathon becomes a former SEMO State showcase as Chris Loseman and Jessica Bollinger run off with both Overall titles.  Loseman, along with his former coach Ryan Lane, come off the starting line unchallenged and quickly settle into a cruising pace which is over 0:30 seconds per mile faster than their nearest competitors.  In the end, Loseman will arrive at the finish chute a minute and thirty-six seconds ahead of Lane.

Festus, Missouri's Caleb Zustiak returns this year after a 5th Overall finish in 2011.  Caleb moves up a couple of spots and claims 3rd Overall. Andy Johnson, who has spent recent months taking seconds and minutes off his PRs at all distances, is 4th Overall.  He is followed by Coach Mark Hahn in 5th.  Coach Hahn continues to show he has returned to form following his knee surgery.

The women's field sees Jessica Bollinger and Big River Running's Debbie Kerber finish one and two. Other top female finishers would begin coming in just over three minutes later with Jenna Ribbing taking the 3rd Overall spot and Chellie Jannin edging out Laura Sheridan for 4th Overall.

Female Overall Winner Jessica Bollinger with Ron Rosati and Steve Schmittzehe
just past the 8-Mile Split.

Brigitte Stotter (237) paces Female 4th Overall Chellie Jannin (516) and Female 5th Overall Laura Sheridan (298)
through the water stop between miles 9 and 10. 

Fourth Place Overall: Andy Johnson finds a relaxing stride on a rain soaked Southern Expressway.

Two solid masters performances were turned in by Male Masters Champion Doug Ambler and Female Masters Champion Elizabeth Kleinlehr.  It was great to see two "old-timers" from 1991 back out on the course again.  Gary Holda (2nd Overall in 1991) and Gary Croy (11th Overall in 1991) were both in the field this morning.  Other Half-Marathon Age-Group Winners were:

 

HALF-MARATHON OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Chris Loseman			FEMALE OVERALL: Jessica Bollinger
MALE MASTERS: Doug Ambler			FEMALE MASTERS: Elizabeth Kleinlehr
01-19	Coleman Erwin		01-19
20-24	Michael Clanahan		20-24	Alexandra Theisen
25-29	Matthew Daugherty		25-29	Julia West
30-34	William Gillespie		30-34	Brigitte Stotter
35-39	Rob Dodson		35-39	Mary Evans
40-44	Barry Ladd		40-44	Shawna Till
45-49	Joe Windeknecht		45-49	Geri Flieg
50-54	Ron Rosati		50-54	Cindy McDowell
55-59	Bill Kutz		55-59	Anita Hahs
60-64	Gary Holda		60-64	Renee Brown
65-99	Arnold Mueller		65-69

In the 5K, after second place finishes in 2009 and 2011, this blogger was finally able to break through and nab the overall win.  Using an early surge at 400 meters, I was able to overtake the front runners and hold off Jay Townsend who was second.  Jay's sub-20 performance (19:46) evidences marked improvement in recent months.  He appears to be primed to jump right in the middle of the area's ultra-competitive 40-49 age group for the remainder of 2012 and into 2013.  Ross McFerron will finish third overall.  Lisa Georger runs an impressive 21:43 in winning the women's title.  Age Group Winners were:

5K OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Kevin Bramlett			FEMALE OVERALL: Lisa Georger
01-19	Gavin Brown		01-19	Tessa Valleroy
20-24	Ryun Preisinger		20-24	Sarah Jackson
25-29	Adam Daughhetee		25-29	Hifsy Norhton
30-34	Ross McFerron		30-34	Violet Little
35-39	John Atkinson		35-39	Kathy Walz
40-44	Edward Nowlin		40-44	Tammy Hunt
45-49	Jay Townsend		45-49	Monica Lillibridge
50-54	Scott McQuay		50-54	Amy Sutherin
55-59	Gary Loos		55-59	Peggy Hill
60-64			60-64	Caroline Brazel
65-99	Harry Kiefer		65-69	Michal Sue Burlinson

 

--KBramlett

Overall Winner: Kevin Bramlett

Second Overall: Jay Townsend