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

 

Benton Neighbor Day 5K Run 2012

Benton, MO -- September 1, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

Benton, Missouri always puts on a nice run on the second day of their annual Neighbor Day celebration.  I hadn't run a race in Benton since 1998 and decided to venture down the highway a few miles to check out the course prior to watching some high school XC at Jackson, Missouri.

Mother Nature was kind to us as we had cloudy conditions and upper 60's at race time.  Considering the summer weather this year, I don't think anyone was complaining.  Just before the start of the race a light drizzle/rain began to come down intermittently but did not affect the course in a negative way.

Forty three people came out to the 2012 race.  The race began behind the Post office in Benton and was an out-and-back course along the blacktop roads heading south out of town.  The only hill on the course was approx three-tenths of a mile into the race and consisted of a moderate, winding decline for approx .25 miles.  We ran down on the way out and had to battle it on the way back toward the finish line prior to flattening out for the final 1/3 of a mile. 

Our escort was a 4 wheeler with the soon-to-be Ironman from Cape Girardeau, MO. Taylor Vaughan on the back of the vehicle shouting encouragement to the runners as they worked through the 3.1 mile course.

Overall female and male finishers were Lisa Georger and Kevin Hammes.

Top 15 Finishers

1. Kevin Hammes - 18:06
2. Jimmy Wolsey - 21:00
3. Kenneth Ray - 21:12
4. Trey Simmons - 21:18
5. Dusty Ashby - 21:31
6. Adam Doughhefee - 22:14
7. Lisa Georger - 22:32
8.  Shelly Cox - 26:28
9. Rocky Walker - 26:49
10. Ken O'Neal - 27:20
11. Michelle Ruppel - 27:29
12. Mark Wilson - 27:34
13. Cara Johnson - 27:49
14. Dennis Tew - 28:43
15. Ryan Burger - 28:59

Age Group Winners

14 and Under:  Male:  Jeremiah Worley - 30:46
15-19:  Female:  Victoria Duenne - 38:04
20-29:  Male:  Trey Simmons - 21:18    Female:  Lisa Georger - 22:32
30-39:  Male:  Dusty Ashby - 21:31      Female:  Michelle Ruppel - 27:29
40-49:  Male:  Rocky Walker - 26:49    Female:  Shelly Cox - 26:28
50-59:  Male:  Ken O'Neal - 27:20      Female:  Mary Ann Kiefer - 32:41
60+:     Male:  William James - 36:50   Female:  Patsy Burger - 48:39

Thanks to Cape RoadRunners for timing the race.  Full results can be found at www.caperoadrunners.org

--KHammes

2012 Jour De Fete 5K Run

Ste. Genevieve, MO -- August 11, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

The 30th annual running of the Jour De Fete 5K was a treat.  The weather, normally very hot and humid for this event, decided to give everyone a break and the participants gladly lined up at the starting area at 8:00 a.m. in low 60's temperatures.  Everyone was smiling at this fortunate change of conditions following an extremely hot and dry summer.

Several cars filled with Cape runners made the trek north to beautiful Ste Genevieve, Missouri for this race.  Our group of runners were fortunate enough to place 4 in the top 7 finishers and 5 in the top 12 overall placers as 54 year old Ron Rosati captured the 50-54 y/o age group with a solid 21:20 on this challenging course.  Chellie Jannin topped the 35-39 age division with a finish time of 23:31.  Her running partner Jessica Rosati finished 4th in this competitive division with a time of 26:09.  Great work ladies!

Cape Area Runners at Jour de Fete 2012: Kevin Hammes, Ron Rosati, Jessica Rosati,
Joe Windeknecht, Chell Jannin, Andy Johnson, Ashley Schmittzehe, and Steve Schmittzehe.

This race is interesting as the first mile is fast due to a couple of nice downhill sections.  The middle portion of this race is essentially flat while the third mile is the most challenging, with several hills leading back into Pere Marquette Park and the finish.  "Maxwell hill", or Max, is the showcase incline during the last mile and begins about the 2.2 mile mark, right as most runners are starting to feel the "burn" of their 5K race effort.

Maryville University runner Ashley Schmittzehe continued her domination in local road races by winning the overall women's title in 22:21 and finishing 18th overall in a field of 123 finishers. 

Female Overall Winner: Ashley Schmittzehe.

Special kudos to a couple of "Senior" Runners.  63 year old Don Hager finished 40th OA with a time of 25:41.  67 year old Carole Keil finished 61st in the field with a 28:16 finish time.  Outstanding efforts by both of these youngsters.

There were also three 14 year olds who finished in top 11 of this race as Ben Naeger, Coleman Erwin and William Zoughaib continue to impress people with their 5K road times.

Top 12 Finishers:

1. Charles Beiseman, 31     16:21
2. Colton Woolridge, 19      17:22
3. Ben Naeger, 14                17:27
4. Kevin Hammes, 47          18:02
5. Andy Johnson, 36            18:59
6. Joe Windeknecht, 45        19:15
7. Steve Schmittzehe, 48      19:53
8. Tyson Brown, 32              19:56
9. Coleman Erwin, 14           20:23
10. Josh Pinkley, 19                20:46
11. William Zoughaib, 14         20:58
12. Ron Rosati, 54                   21:20

The run was capped off with many nice door prizes and engraved finishing medals as well as trophies for the OA winners.  Cape Road Runners timed this event.

---K Hammes

 

 

Kevin Hammes: 4th Overall / 1st 45-49 AG.

Andy Johnson: 5th Overall / 1st 35-39 AG.

Joe Windeknecht: 6th Overall / 2nd 45-49 AG.

Steve Schmittzehe: 7th Overall / 3rd 45-49 AG.

Ron Rosati: 12th Overall / 1st 50-54 AG.

Chell Jannin: 5th Overall Female / 1st 35-39 AG.



Hoops for Life 3

Cape Girardeau, MO -- July 14, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

Hoops for Life 3

Kiwanis Park sees the first signs of activity shortly after dawn as it prepares to host what may grow to the largest road race in area history. Entry numbers begin to dwarf those seen in the past. The 325 for the Hoops for Life 1 in 2009; surpassed long ago. The 562 in 2010; in the rearview mirror. Registration on race day is strong, and shortly before 8:00 a.m., as the participants take their places on the starting line, the gravity of Sahara’s star has captured a record 651 registrants from nearly 20 different states.

The assembled field is competitive and deep.  Any athletes hoping to take home an overall trophy or age group award must bring out an effort necessary to run times that have never been recorded on this demanding course.  A break in the recent heat wave, and a crystal clear July sky, give many all the opportunity needed to do just that.

Following prayer led by Brian Jannin and Emily Hagan’s crisp rendition of the National Anthem,  Shannon Aldridge gives the “start” order.  With Tyler Mullen in tow, Chris Loseman, Alex Zizzer, and Eric Schott will separate early.  The battle continues for the entire 3.1 hilly miles until Zizzer edges out the remaining duo of Loseman and Schott at the finish line.  Zizzer breaks the tape in a course recordbreaking 15:56 with Loseman second in 15:58, and Schott third at 16:02.  Mullen follows at 17:21.  With fifth place on the line, spectators are treated to another viewing of “The Matt Pfau Kick”.  Matt’s strong finish propels him through the chute in 17:50.

Early Pace Setters: Overall Winner Alex Zizzer (184), Second Overall Chris Loseman (700),
and Fourth Overall Tyler Mullen (170).

Third Overall Eric Schott. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

The "Matt Pfau Kick" in full flight: Fifth Overall Matt Pfau (right)
and Sixth Overall Kevin Hammes (left).

Stuart Calderwood, 50-54 AG American Track Recordhholder at 25K and 30K,
turns in a 81.2% National Class Age-Graded time of 18:46. (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Donning her traditional Hoops for Life #21 bib in honor of Sahara Aldridge, Ashley Schmittzehe shines in winning the female overall title.  Working with good friend Kristen Dippold, Ashley’s 20:16 blisters her own female course record by 0:53 seconds, and her personal 5K road PR by 0:11 seconds.

Ashley Schmittzehe (21) puts the final kick on her recordbreaking run with
Under 15 Age Group Winner Coleman Erwin (left). (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Dippold takes second with her 20:22.  The Hession girls are third and fourth.  Kacy Hession finishes in 20:37 and Bailey Hession in 20:49.  Breanna Conklin (20:51) rounds out the top five.  All five of the young ladies posts times faster than the previous female course record.

Second Overall Female Kristen Dippold.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Third Overall Female Kacy Hession.  (photo by Marcy Ambler)

Over 510 runners and walkers will finish the course.  Below is the full list of Overall and Age Group Winners:

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: Alex Zizzer (15:56)			FEMALE OVERALL: Ashley Schmittzehe (20:16)
01-15	Coleman Erwin (20:15)		01-15	Hannah Shemonia (24:59)
16-19	Nate Martin (19:07)		16-19	Bailey Hession (20:49)
20-24	Chris Loseman (15:58)		20-24	Kristen Dippold (20:22)
25-29	Bradley Mueth (23:52)		25-29	Nicole Bolen (22:37)
30-34	Bryan Kelpe (17:54)		30-34	Nichole Clippard (22:05)
35-39	Andy Johnson (19:05)		35-39	Mary Evans (21:37)
40-44	Doug Ambler (20:48)		40-44	Tracy Metzger (23:40)
45-49	Kevin Hammes (17:51)		45-49	Chris Brady (25:40)
50-54	Stuart Calderwood (18:46)		50-54	Stacy Creamer (22:35)
55-99	Dan Farrar (23:46)		55-99	Renee Brown (27:54)

The daylong celebration shifts to Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus for the evening events.  Opening ceremonies get underway with an inspirational rendition of Bill Withers’ 1972 classic “Lean on Me” performed by Broderick Twiggs, Lauren Dumey, Mary Bauer, and Riley Bauer. 

They are followed by Shannon and Amy Aldridge addressing the crowd with words of passion and dedication for Sahara, Hoops for Life, and The Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital’s Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Program at Stanford University.  Hearing the passion and seeing the dedication leaves the audience with no doubt of the final outcome of this fight!

The packed house is on their feet the rest of the night.  Rocker Rick Springfield hits the stage and tears into the rambunctious “Who Killed Rock-N-Roll”.  Springfield continues though an electric and energetic set which includes most all of his top 40 hits, covers of Paul McCartney & Wings “Jet” and The Beatles “We Can Work it Out”, and the fitting tribute “Saint Sahara”.  The Sammy Hagar penned “I’ve Done Everything for You” is the perfect ending to a day that has seen Shannon and Amy take things to a whole new level.

In a few short days, pediatric brain tumor research will receive a substantial donation of the proceeds from today’s celebration (UPDATE Aug. 13, 2012:  Final Total = $21,110.00!!).  Months or years from now, a cure will be found and parents will not have to watch as their child is stolen by this brutal killer.  Decades from now, people will talk about Hoops for Life 3.  Sahara’s memory will live FOREVER…"Mi Ma Mi, Mi Ma Mi, Mi Ma Mi, Mi Ma Mi"…

--KBramlett

Rocker Rick Springfield returns to Cape Girardeau.

Happy Birthday, Hoops! (photo by Natalie Manley)

 

Big News for SEMO Runners

Cape Girardeau, MO -- July 20, 2012

Missouri Running Company announces as of August 1st they will become locally owned and operated by current management Bryan and Kim Kelpe along with Frank Dietiker.  They will remain a part of the Missouri Running Family as the first Franchised location and look forward to the opportunity to contine supporting and growing fitness in the Southeast Missouri region.

Capaha Classic 5K

Cape Girardeau, MO -- July 14, 2012 (Results @ Cape Road Runners: (http://www.caperoadrunners.org/results.htm)

A steady morning shower does little to tarnish the Silver Anniversary running of Cape Parks and Recreation's Capaha Classic 5K.  At start time, over 70 rain-soaked runners stand ready in front of the Boat House on West End Boulevard, set to tackle one of the Grand Prix’s most difficult courses.  The hilly terrain will make for an excellent tune-up for next week’s Hoops for Life 3.

Overall winner Kevin Hammes (18:08) lays low for the first kilometer before overtaking the field and holding off Roy Leighton (18:10) in the final stretch.  Joe Windeknecht (19:08) uses a late surge to pull away from Andy Johnson (19:12) for third overall.

Ashley Schmittzehe (21:49) returns to the winner’s circle this week.  Next in is Zhao Ni Dirnberger (22:12) who follows her solid Independence Day 5K performance with another spot at the head of the field.  Tara Johnson is third overall in 22:58.

In addition to the always generous awards, this year's event features a commemorative event tee shirt featuring a runner sporting the shirt from the inaugural race.

--KBramlett

OVERALL AND AGE GROUP WINNERS
MALE OVERALL: 1.      Kevin Hammes (18:08) 2.      Roy Leighton (18:10) 3.      Joe Windeknecht (19:08)			FEMALE OVERALL: 1.      Ashley Schmittzehe (21:49) 2.      Zhao Ni Dirnberger (22:12) 3.      Tara Johnson (22:58)
01-14	Coleman Erwin (20:49)		01-14	Jenya Zoughaib (23:49)
15-19	Jacob Cieslewicz (19:19)		15-19	Kasey Crowden (23:30)
20-24	Desmond Howard (20:13)		20-24	Lindsey Wehmeyer (23:17)
25-29	Matt Tisher (23:55)		25-29	Mandy Sutton (29:33)
30-34	Jeremy Klump (26:31)		30-34
35-39	Andy Johnson (19:12)		35-39	Chellie Jannin (23:35)
40-44	Duane Emmons (23:33)		40-44	Alice McRoberts (29:18)
45-49	Steve Schmittzehe (20:26)		45-49	Lora Coots (25:43)
50-59	Kevin Bramlett (19:44)		50-59	Paula Castleman (25:42)
60-69	Mitch Gerber (23:49)		60-99	Renee Brown (27:22)
70-99	Bill Burlison (47:01)