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)



Cape Woods Extravaganza XC 5K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- June 9, 2012  (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

The former Spring Classic to benefit the Cape Girardeau Police Department's K-9 Unit gets a new venue and a new look for 2012.  The third race of the Grand Prix Series moves off-road to the grassy grounds of The Osage Center for the inaugural Cape Woods Extravaganza Cross Country 5K.


Cape Road Runners present a check for $1,600 to the Cape Girardeau PD K-9 Unit.
(photo from Cape Road Runners)

There was an audible buzz in the local running community the days and weeks leading up to the event as several road racers openly expresssed some apprehensions for the unfamilar.  Fortunately, the race day field of 68 would include a few prominent harriers from the college and high school ranks to show the way.  Southeast Missouri State and OVC standout Chris Loseman would lead the pack from the gun as he coasted to a 16:12 overall win.  Maryville University's Ashley Schmittzehe returns home to take the female overall.  The first year Saint finishes in 22:02.  Norte Dame Regional HS stars Adam Raines (19:14) and Jacob Cieslewicz (20:00) finish third and fourth overall.

50-59 age groupers Ron Rosati and Lisa Dohogne remain perfect with another 100 points each as they plow through the Grand Prix competition.  The series heats up with the weather in July as two events (The Capaha Classic and Hoops for Life 3) are sure to shake out and shape up the standings.

--KBramlett

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Chris Loseman (16:12)			FEMALE OVERALL: Ashley Schmittzehe (22:02)
01-11	Nathan Phelps (24:14)		01-11
12-14	Aaron Bible (32:19)		12-14	Lily Schell (29:49)
15-18	Adam Raines (19:14)		15-18	Abby Pfaff (24:39)
19-29	Stephen Pobst (18:56)		19-29	Kate Wayman (23:24)
30-39	Matt Miller (21:10)		30-39	Jennifer Maroscher (23:23)
40-49	Paul Schell (20:02)		40-49	Kelly Potter (28:16)
50-59	Ron Rosati (21:25)		50-59	Lisa Dohogne (28:19)
60-69	Jackie Mosley (21:59)		60-69	Renee Brown (28:35)
70-99	Ron Ruminer (29:22)		70-99

Field of 68 hit the grass for the 2012 Cape Woods Extravaganza. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Overall Winner: Chris Loseman. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Second Place Overall: Former Sikestonian Stephen Pobst. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Female Overall Winner Ashley Schmittzehe battles for posistion
with 50-59 Age Group Winner Ron Rosati. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Friends Stephanie Blest, Kelly Hannenburger, and Kate Wayman sweep the Female 19-29 Age Group.
(photo from Kate Wayman)

2nd Annual Guatemala Missions 5K Run/Walk

Jackson, MO -- May 26, 2012 (Race photos available from Goddard Photography: http://www.goddardphotographyonline.com/p776453584)

80 runners and walkers converged at the St. Paul Church/School in Jackson, Missouri on May 26th for a great cause.  Guatemala Missions supports much needed activities and Cindy Drewett and her group of volunteers once again put together a nice course and race experience for all involved.

It was not hard to get warmed up prior to the race as the temperature was 76 degrees with the normal Missouri humidity rearing its head.  The out-and-back course gave the runners a nice downhill run to begin their 5K quest.  The course of rolling hills was challenging but not overly brutal and provided just enough of a variance to make things interesting from a racing aspect.

Overall Winners were Nicole Bolen and Kevin Hammes with times of 21:22 and 17:39 respectively. Ken Peters dominated the 60 and over age division with a solid time of 30:04. 

AGE GROUP WINNERS
Male: U15 1: Luke Wendel - 29:12 2: Wyatt Gerard - 31:18 3: Hunter Wendel - 36:49	Female: U16 1: Audra Steffens - 29:13 2: Maci Smith - 30:24 3: Bailey Steffens - 32:20
Male: 15-19 1: Riley Talbut - 17:50 2: Alex Bolen - 20:56 3: Luke Mueller - 27:51	Female : 16-19 1: Winter - 23:59 2: Abby Hartman - 27:50
Male: 20-29 1: Tyson Stoverink - 18:37 2: Joe Strauser - 25:17 3: Josh Barrett - 26:22	Female: 20-29 1: Valerie Drewett - 25:03 2: Megan Kessee - 27:54 3: Jessica Estes - 28:15
Male: 30-39 1: Lee Clinton - 24:38 2: Matt Steffens - 26:02 3: Lane Dynneson - 44:07	Female: 30-39 1: Lindsey Clinton - 21:30 2: Becky Bockelman - 27:05 3: Jamie Brothers - 30:48
Male 40-49 1: Blake Gerard - 22:10 2: Michael Keillor - 24:44 3: Matt Wendel - 36:50	Female: 40-49 1: Joan Mayberry - 26:30 2: Shari Smith - 30:28 3: Elainna Froemsdorf - 31:29
Male 50-59 1: Gary Laurentius - 26:50 2: Brad Schwab - 27:22 3: Gary Loos - 27:55	Female 50-59 1: Carol Winter - 42:27 2: Kathy Tuschhoff - 32:56
Male: 60 and up 1: Ken Peters - 30:04 2: Bill Burlison - 46:07	Female: 60 and up 1: Michal Burlison - No time provided

Photography was provided by Goddard Photography and Childcare was provided by the St. Paul Youth Group.  Thanks much to both for providing their services.  Overall, the course was well marked-out as well as accurate and the race director provided plenty of course support for the runners.  Overall winners received plaques and gift certificates to Missouri Running Company and age group winners received medallions.  I would recommend this race to others in the community.  Thanks to all who took their personal time to provide this event to the local running community.

--KHammes

2012 Overall winner Kevin Hammes