Charleston, Missouri again welcomed over 240 runners to the 2013 Azalea 5K race. Rolwing Park was packed with vendors and food stands as the runners and spectators were treated to a fantastic Spring day. Fleet Feet Timing out of St. Louis once again provided the race timing for this certified 5K course.
The race got off to a quick start and the leading pack of runners went through the first mile split at just below 5:30/mile pace; A timing clock at the One Mile mark gives the runners a good visual of their pace in the early part of the race. As runners moved west toward Main Street the front pack began to slowly become stretched out.
The race got off to a quick start and the leading pack of runners went through the first mile split at just below 5:30/mile pace; A timing clock at the One Mile mark gives the runners a good visual of their pace in the early part of the race. As runners moved west toward Main Street the front pack began to slowly become stretched out.
This course has mile markers at the 1/2/3 mile sections and, as the runners travelled down the final 900m of Commercial Street toward the finish chute, the many spectators were very supportive and loud. This helped all of the runners to finish strong and three runners finished the race in 18-flat or better.
The day belonged to the Master's competitors as the "Old Men" garnered 4 of the top 5 finishing times. Bryan Kelpe was the lone sub-Masters runner breaking into the top 5 finishers. Even coming into the race dinged up a bit, Bryan runs a solid 17:52 and places second overall. He has been in the top 3 of this race many times and is considered one of the premier ultramarathon competitors in the Midwest region. He and his wife Kim own and operate the Missouri Running Company in Cape Girardeau and are frontline supporters of all running events and activities in the Cape Girardeau region. Their support and generosity is greatly appreciated by the entire running and multisport community.
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| Overall Winner: Kevin Hammes. |
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| Chase pack working for position near first mile split: Chris Cone (4th OA), Steve Lovell (3rd OA), Bryan Kelpe (2nd OA), and Kevin Bramlett (5th OA). |
The top three women finished the course with sub-23 min times; Jessie Duenne topped the field with an impressive finish time of 22:11 followed by Brandi Parkinson and Madison Huffman.
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| Female 2nd Overall: Brandi Parkinson. |
From the young winners such as Nathan Phelps and Leilani Smith to the seasoned veterans like Ron Ruminer and Peggy Griggs, the 2013 version of the Dogwood Azalea 5K was a smashing success. This race is the oldest race event in Southeast Missouri and one I strongly recommend everyone give a try!
Special thanks to Robert Hearnes and the entire Charleston Police Department for providing a safe course for all the runners and walkers. Their tireless efforts are greatly appreciated by all the competitors and their families!
--KHammes
MALE / FEMALE TOP 5
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NAME
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(AGE)
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TIME
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NAME
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(AGE)
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TIME
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1.
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Kevin Hammes
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(47)
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17:26
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1.
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Jessie Duenne
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(25)
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22:11
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2.
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Bryan Kelpe
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(35)
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17:55
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2.
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Brandi Parkinson
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(30)
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22:53
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3.
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Steve Lovell
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(43)
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18:00
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3.
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Madison Huffman
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(15)
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22:59
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4.
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Chris Cone
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(47)
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18:21
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4.
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Marissa Jones
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(14)
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23:02
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5.
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Kevin Bramlett
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(51)
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18:28
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5.
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Laura Logan
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(35)
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23:52
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OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
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MALE OVERALL: Kevin Hammes
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FEMALE OVERALL: Jessie Duenne
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01-09
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Nathan Phelps
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01-09
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Leilani Smith
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10-14
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Brett Johnson
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10-14
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Marissa Jones
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15-19
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Resse Porter
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15-19
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Madison Huffman
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20-24
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Ruben Chavez
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20-24
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Taylor Duenne
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25-29
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Frankie Salinas
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25-29
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Jenny Aloisio
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30-34
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Brian Agee
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30-34
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Brandi Parkinson
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35-39
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Bryan Kelpe
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35-39
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Laura Logan
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40-44
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Steve Lovell
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40-44
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Christi Johnson
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45-49
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Chris Cone
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45-49
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Melanie Marshall-Fraga
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50-54
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Kevin Bramlett
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50-54
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Elaina Boehme
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55-59
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Denny Koonce
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55-59
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Mary Jane Whitehead
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60-64
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Wayne Corse
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60-64
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65-69
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Lewis Liveberry
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65-69
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Michal Sue Burlison
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70-79
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Ron Ruminer
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70-79
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Peggy Griggs
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80-99
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Bill Burlison
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80-99
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| Wayne Corse |
In addition to all things conspicuous, Wayne's work behind the scenes is just as tireless. What is most noteworthy is his promotion of running to the area's youth and his efforts to get as many first time and novice teen (and younger) runners on the starting line each year. His success was evident as sixty of this year's 241 finishers were age 19 or younger.
An avid long-time runner himself, Wayne's running resume' is one to envy. A review of Missouri's State Road Racing Records will find Wayne's name listed twice among the fastest all-time age group 5Ks: 17:29 at age 44 in 1994 and 19:25 at age 50 in 2000. His acheviements have not been limited to middle distance. An accomplished marathoner for many years, Wayne recently posted a 3:52:59 at The Boston Marathon in 2010 at age 60.
As part of the annual Charleston-Sikeston high school football pre-game buildup (the oldest rivalry in Southeast Missouri), it is tradition for the visiting town to run the game ball to the host's hometown. For many years, Wayne was a part of the Charleston contingent.
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| "The Conversation" |
I first met Wayne at the 2008 Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo Run. Wayne approached me after we had crossed the finish line, introduced himself, and congratulated me on my race. Later, after we had caught our breath, he began asking me about my running. I was brand new to all this (only my third race) and was shocked someone who appeared to be a regular at these 5Ks would be interested in anything a newbie was doing or had to say. It would be that conversation that started to shape my attitude, outlook, and enjoyment of running and road racing.
Wayne informed me that morning of "the runner's high" (you mean people actually enjoy total exhaustion and oxygen debt?). He strongly suggested that I ditch the Nike Geriatric Mall Walkers; they would give me shin splints (spot on with that one, bought my first pair of running shoes the following week). Although I was 47 years old and brand new to running, I could still expect to improve for the next seven years (not too many sports offered that incentive). Considering my 21:53 time today, I had the potential to run 5Ks in under 20:00 minutes (now he's just making stuff up, there is no way any old man like me could ever do that). They have a race at Charleston each year in April, I should come down and run it (did it in 2009, 2010, 2011...will be there every year as long as I can run, walk, or crawl).
Those words stuck. Over the next few weeks and months, running evolved from a chore and a hobby to a lifestyle. That potential sub-20 5K became a full-fledged quest. Ironically, the break through day would come one year later at the 2009 Bootheel Rodeo Run. Wayne was there again at the finish line and Traci was able to capture the moment.
For everything you have done to promote running in Southeast Missouri, and for all the encouragement you have given me through the years...THANKS WAYNE!
--KBramlett
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| 2009 Sikeston Bootheel Rodeo Run Finish Line: First sub-20 5K. |
