Town Crier, Saugatuck
Town Crier Runs Become Family Affair
Photo by Scott Sullivan
By Scott Sullivan
Art Talsma rings the bell to start the Town Crier 5K. SAUGATUCK (4/19/12) — Father and son Jim and Clayton Springer sprang to wins in their hometown Town Crier 10K and 5K runs respectively.
Race director Rick Bauer was OK with the Kelly and Braschler “banditing.” He in fact coaches the SHS boys track team.
Emma Walker, age 9, finished the 5K in 29:53 47:06; and Angel, 7, in 53:05.
Sheri Camp, 30, of Holland, was the women’s 10K winner, tucking under 45 minutes by four hundredths of a second.
What’s a mere 6.2 miles for the young Mendozas? “Doubling” by running the 5K as well were Luis and Julie, both in 23:28; Pedro in 25:20, Alejandro in 28:08; and Angel in 28:17.
Nicole Zeinstra, 17, of Holland claimed the women’s 5K title in 19:19.
Christian Mendoza, 9, finished the 5K in 24:39; Angie Mendoza, 15, in 25:20.
Who could top the Springers as a family affair? The Mendozas of Fennville made a run at it. Luis, 18, finished third in the 10K in 39:02, followed by Alejandro, 20, in 43:30; Pedro, 16, in 45:34; Mary, 14, in 45:45; Julie, 10, in 46:56; Jessica, also 10, in
Matt Britten, 67, of Rothbury, was another who doubled — and took special pleasure in avenging his first-race loss to the littlest Mendoza, Angel, in the 5K.
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Michigan Runner - July / August 2012
“What did you do, Matt? Give her a hard elbow?” we suggested. |
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Clayton Springer won the 5K in 17:33 “She’s only up to my knees,” he said.
Photo by Scott Sullivan
Clayton, 16, actually followed two more teammates across the line in the 5K. But because Sean Kelly and Galib Braschler ran unregistered, the younger Springer’s 17:33 was best among 167 entrants at the shorter distance.
Photo by Scott Sullivan
That was 18 seconds faster than his son’s Saugatuck High School teammate Zach Kerr, 16, who cruised the 6.2 miles in recovery mode following an injury.
Photo by Scott Sullivan
Jim, 46, bested all 127 10K entrants on a perfect spring day for running — windless and 54 degrees — by churning home in 38:21.
Angel Mendoza,
The ninth annual age 7, ran the 10K Town Crier races raised and 5K double. money for their sponsor, the Saugatuck-Douglas Area Business Association, school track and cross country teams, and Tri-Community Recreation programs. Coral Gables restaurant hosted post-race refreshments and awards. For complete results, visit http://michianatiming.
- MR -