2021 NewsChannel 8 On Your Side Health & Fitness Expo

2021

MAY 7 & 8, 2021 TA M PA , F L O R I D A 1

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

Arrrgh You Ready To Run? On behalf of Publix, I’d like to thank you for participating in the 2021 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic. Since 1978, this important and exciting event has seen more than 835,000 runners cross the finish line. And it’s my wish for 2021 to be just as exciting – inspiring first-time, as well as long-time Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic runners, to participate in an event that has become a cherished Tampa Bay tradition.

Even though you’ll be running virtually this year, Publix is committed - now more than ever - to provide this opportunity for you. Some of you may choose to run in your own neighborhood. Some may run in a nearby park or running track. My hope is that many of you will choose to run on closed Bayshore Blvd. on May 8th or 9th, adhering to the safety protocols put in place for everyone’s health and well-being.

Wherever you choose to run your virtual Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic race (or races!), know that you’re improving the lives of people in your community, as well as your own personal health and wellness. And as always, Publix will be cheering you all along the way and through your finish line.

Through your generosity and participation, you’re inspiring others, and making it possible to support many charitable youth organizations and running programs in the Tampa Bay area. Being involved in the community, supporting youth and encouraging healthy food choices is a priority for Publix – and we continue to take great pride playing a role in your personal healthy lifestyle choices.

Never underestimate how your involvement is a source of motivation for those around you.

Thank you again for participating in the 2021 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, and for being a role model for others. I wish you great success in all your accomplishments.

Sam Pero Vice President, Lakeland Division Publix Super Markets, Inc.

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Get training tips and recipes at publix.com/rungasparilla.

Then get in the zone on race day to support charitable youth organizations and running programs in the Tampa Bay area.

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EE O FR N T C! E P BLI & O E PU TH

FRI. MAY 7: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

SAT. MAY 8: 6 a.m.-3 p.m.

There’s something for everyone! * • News Channel 8 Personalities, including meteorologist & avid runner, Leigh Spann • The Publix booth featuring a FREE 2021 PGDC Photo Opportunity • Find your name on the traditional PGDC Registered Participant’s Runner Wall!

• Pickle Ball Demonstrations!

• And much more!

V I S I T: R U N G A S PA R I L L A . C O M * Tampa Convention Center COVID 19 Mitigation Protocols will be followed including, but not limited to health screenings for all TCC guests, employees and contractors prior to entering the building, Mandatory Face Coverings and 6’ physical distancing while in the building.

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ENTRANCE

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MEN’S T-SHIRT PICK-UP

BIB NUMBER PICK-UP

WOMEN’S T-SHIRT PICK-UP

Bliss CBD & Wellness Market..........511,513 Body Therapy Co.................................... 523 Bondi Band............................................ 239 Boston Bill Sunglasses.......................... 638 Celsius............................................533,535 Clean Juice............................................ 219 Fitniche.................................................. 700 Fitness International, LLC....................... 622 Gasparilla Distance Classic Merchandise...................................334,336 Global Fair Play, LLC............................... 328 Life Guard Imaging................................ 312 Medicare Advantage Health Plan.......... 332 Never Quit............................................. 318 New Balance...........................525,527,529, ............................................... 624,626,628 Nutritional Cooking Solutions, Inc........ 329 Publix.................................................... 333 Raceessentials................................632,634 Raymond James Financial..................... 310 RISE Brewing Co.................................... 338 Riviana Foods.................................537,539 Rooms To Go...........................515,517,519, ............................................... 614,616,618 runFIT, LLC.............................................. 316 St. Pete Run Fest.............................233,235 St. Pete Running Co................ 211,213,215 The Runner Sticker................................. 610 Thrivent...........................................223,322 Turtle Towels.......................................... 237

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

Welcome!

On behalf of the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, welcome to the 44th Running of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic and 8 On Your Side Health & Fitness Expo.

As we’ve moved through months of planning for this year’s events, we’ve experienced twists and turns with the realities of COVID-19 that have led us to pivot on three separate occasions. With each, we made decisions in the best interest of each of you – our participants, corporate partners, volunteers, staff, and supporting personnel. In the end, we found ourselves having to convert to a 100% virtual event.

The disappointment we continue to feel is real. We’ve always been proud that we have honored our commitments. After so many years, it has hurt deeply to disappoint our faithful fans and supporters. Though most have appreciated and understood our efforts, losing the faith of even one person was too many.

The 8 On Your Side Health & Fitness Expo is smaller this year, but the vendors appreciate that they’re with us and for the first time in more than a year, have the opportunity to see you.

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association wants you to know how grateful we are for your patience, support and understanding. We ask you to remember who we are, what we do and why.

We’re the same non-profit organization that for 44 years has produced a successful race weekend with an event for every member of the family and fitness level ... a race weekend where hundreds of thousands of goals have been met and even more memories have been made. And, importantly, a race weekend that in 44 years has resulted in $5.9 million in donations to local youth charitable organizations.

In the coming pages, we’ve created a look back at the 2013–2020 PGDC Race Weekends. There are photos that represent family fun, excitement and the joy had by all.

On Monday morning, May 10th, we’ll begin planning for the 2022 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 25 – 27.

ARRRGH you ready for 2022?

We ARRRGH!

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GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GEAR. CHECK OUT OUR IN-STORE SERVICES AT DICKS.COM/THEPROS

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2021 Running Shoe Award The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association is blessed with a strong base of volunteers and without those volunteers, the Race Weekend Events could not happen. At the core of these volunteers is a 13-Member Board of Directors and 35-Member Organizing Committee. Realizing the worth of these very important folks, following the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic’s inaugural running, the Association created the Running Shoe Award.

This award provides much needed and well deserved recognition. Since 1978, a Gasparilla Distance Classic Association volunteer has been recognized by his or her peers for exemplary service and contributions to the organization, Tampa Bay community and Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend Events We never have to look far for Running Shoe Award recipients. The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association Family consists of amazing men and women, all committed to who we are, what we do, and why.

In 2020, when our lives came to a halt due to COVID 19, we weren’t able to honor the 2020 Running Shoe Award Recipient. Traditionally his or her name is announced during the annual Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Partner Celebration.

It’s with great pleasure that we honor the 2020 Running Show Award, Jeff Lessie.

Jeff was introduced to the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association in April of 2016 – just in time to impact the organization’s planning for the 2017 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic (PGDC) Race Weekend. As a competitive runner and winner of multiple PGDC Awards, Jeff brought a unique perspective to the organization and had an immediate impact on improving our runner’s experience.

As an Organizing Committee Member, Jeff shared his passion for running and his passion for the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend. He was outspoken and shared his wealth of knowledge, again helping the organization to become better in every way. With Jeff, came his wife Miranda. She too, brought valuable input and experience to the organization.

The only challenge for Jeff was giving up the opportunity to run the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic. Jeff was an avid Michelob Ultra Challenge participant and, as mentioned above, an award winner. Where better for him to serve than the Challenge Finish Line Area. Jeff was instrumental in creating the race weekend Challenge Medal Drop Zone and later, making sure there were fluids and snacks for the Challenge participants to consume in between their running events.

Today, the Challenge Medal Drop Zone caters to the needs of every Challenge participant – they even have their own Challenge Portalets!

In 2018, Jeff was elected to the GDCA Board of Directors and assumed the leadership duties of our PGDC Finish Lines. His attention to detail, organizational skills, and overall people management skills immediately impacted the Finish Line’s efficiency and productivity. In a typical year, the PGDC Finish Line greets 30,000 registered participants, provides them with ice towels, Zephyrhills Natural Spring Water, Gatorade Endurance, 30,000 PGDC Finisher’s Medals, Kellogg’s and Kashi Bars, Cheez-It Snacks, Dole Fruit Cups, Coca-Cola and Publix Super Markets Bananas.

On both race mornings, Jeff’s work begins at 3 a.m. and doesn’t end until the last of our registered participants cross the PGDC Finish Line, the last of the 200-volunteers are released, the last barricade is put away and the last bag of banana peels are in the back of a City of Tampa Solid Waste Truck. It’s at this point that he looks across Bayshore to a Tampa Police Department Officer that’s waiting for his thumbs up that all is clear for opening the Platt Street Bridge.

Being a GDCA Volunteer Board Member can be a demanding task, but Jeff has proven many times there’s no task too large for him to take on. His passion for the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association and Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend looms large in his and Miranda’s life.

We’re a little late with recognizing Jeff Lessie as the recipient of the 43rd Running Shoe Award, but our delay allowed time for Jeff to provide even more leadership as we took on COVID-19 and the daunting task of planning 2021 PGDC Race Weekend.

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

GDCA Mission Statement The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, established in 1978, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for non-profit charitable youth organizations and running programs in the Tampa Bay area.

Through the efforts of an all-volunteer and diverse board of directors and organizing committee, Its mission is carried out through the administration of the annual Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend, produced in cooperation with the City of Tampa and, Publix Too Good For Drugs Jr. Gasparilla Distance Classic, presented in partnership with the City of Tampa and C.E. Mendez Foundation.

The Gasparilla Distance Classic Association takes great pride in its mission. Since the first running of the Gasparilla Distance Classic in February 1978, $5.9 million has been donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, The Friends of Tampa Recreation, and youth non-profit and running-related programs throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Thank you to the City of Tampa, Publix Super Markets, C.E. Mendez Foundation, Gasparilla’s event sponsors, volunteers and, each of the 845,000+ participants that since 1978, have crossed the Finish Line!

Today, the PGDC Race Weekend continues to be guided by its Mission Statement, created in 1978.

Over the last 44-years, much has changed but the following remains the same ...

ABOUT FRIENDLY COMPETITION...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT FAMILY...

ABOUT FUN...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT MAKING MEMORIES...

ABOUT TAKING TIME TO HONOR THOSE WE LOVE ...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT OUR YOUNGEST PARTICIPANTS...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT THOSE YOUNG AT HEART...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT THE PIRATE THEME...

ABOUT HONORING THE USAA MILITARY PARTICIPANTS...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT GETTING TO THE START LINE...

ABOUT CROSSING THE FINISH LINE...

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

ABOUT THE BOOTY...

LAST BUT MOST IMPORTANT, THE GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC ASSOCIATION’S PURPOSE: Raising much needed charitable dollars for youth charitable organizations and running programs in the Tampa Bay community remains as the Association’s priority.

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

GDCA Heritage Charities Tampa Bay–Youth Charitable Organizations

FUNDING YOUTH RUNNING PROGRAMS PUBLIX TOO GOOD FOR DRUGS JR. GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC A FREE EVENT FOR KIDS AGES 2-7

HELD ANNUALLY

GASPARILLA KIDS RUNNING PROGRAM

“Get kids moving so they can stay healthy and fit and give them the resources to do it!”

• Twelve-week training program that will introduce running as a lifestyle activity and teach valuable life skills to (300-350) socio-economically challenged middle school aged boys and girls • Training program will begin the first week in November and culminate in the kids running the final two miles of the Publix Gasparilla Half Marathon on Race Morning • Staffed by qualified, certified and trained City of Tampa Employees • Gasparilla Kids Running Program is offered at 23 City of Tampa Parks & Recreation Playground sites where kindness, consideration, honesty, respect and responsibility are stressed on a daily basis.

• Funded by Gasparilla Distance Classic Association, Publix Super Markets, ASICS & Kellogg’s

GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC ASSOCIATION CHARITABLE DONATIONS 1978 – 1998: 1999 – 2017: 2018 – 2020:

$1,634,000 $3,466,000 $876,350

TOTAL TO-DATE: $5,976,350 19

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Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2013

Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic

JIM REED/STAFF

Upset with his runner-up performance in Saturday’s 15k, Jon Mott returned Sunday and won the half marathon — in record fashion, no less — by more than four minutes.

After deciding to enter night before, Mott prevails with a course record

JIM REED/STAFF

Tampa’s Terri Rejimbal was dominant in winning Sunday’s half marathon, crossing the finish line nearly four minutes ahead of her closest competitor for her third victory.

JIM REED/STAFF Half Marathon Top 10

Rejimbal joins small group of women with wins in their 40s

JIM REED/STAFF

Upset with his runner-up performance in Saturday’s 15k, Jon Mott returned Sunday MenTampa’s Terri Rejimbal was dominant in winning Sunday’s half marathon, crossing the and won the half marathon — in record fashion, no less — by more than four minutes. nearly four minutes ahead of her closest competitor for her third victory.

1. Jonathan Mott finish line 1:09:50

run Sunday’s half marathon.

After deciding to enter before, Mott’snight best friend, Austin Richmond, who beat Mott in Mott Aprevails a course 15k, toldrecord Mott he was horn blew at 6with a.m. Saturday’s

BY SCOTT PURKS Tribune staff

TAMPA —

Sunday in downtown Tampa and Jon BY Mott took off from the SCOTT PURKS starting lineTribune and staff left 3,500 runners behind him. Exactly 1 hour, 9 minutes 50 seconds TAMPA —and A horn blew at 6later, a.m.

Mott woninthedowntown Publix Super MarSunday Tampa kets Gasparilla Distance Classic and Jon Mott took off from the Half Marathon a 3,500 course-restarting line andinleft runcord behind time. him. Exactly 1 hour, ners Wait … Jon 9 minutes andMott?

50 seconds later, Wasn’t same guy Marwho Mott won he thethe Publix Super finished second Distance in the Gasparilla kets Gasparilla Classic 15k than 24 hours earlier?

Halfless Marathon in a course-reHetime. was. cord Turns out Mott was so mad Wait … Jon Mott? after his performance Wasn’t he the same Saturday guy who morningsecond — 47 minutes, 50 secfinished in the Gasparilla ondsless forthan the 9.3-mile — that 15k 24 hoursrace earlier? heHe decided was. Saturday evening to Turns out Mott was so mad after his performance Saturday morning — 47 minutes, 50 seconds for the 9.3-mile race — that he decided Saturday evening to

crazy.

“ISunday’s told Austin, ‘I don’t care, run half marathon.

I’mMott’s doing it,’” said. Austin bestMott friend, At 3:30 a.m., Richmond, whoMott beatjumped Mott in a car at his home in Babson Saturday’s 15k, told Mott he was Park and started driving to crazy.

Tampa. had slept less care, than “I toldHe Austin, ‘I don’t three hours I’m doing it,’”and Motthad said.not yet signed forMott Sunday’s half At 3:30upa.m., jumped in marathon. a car at his home in Babson About he driving missed an Park and5 a.m. started to important found Tampa.

Heturn hadand slept less himthan self stuck three hours on and the had Howard not yet Frankland He had tohalf go signed upBridge. for Sunday’s to Pinellas County and turn marathon. around.

About 5 a.m. he missed an At 5:40 a.m., after sprinting important turn and found himfrom astuck parking stood self onmeter, the he Howard 21 Frankland Bridge. HeMEN, hadPage to go to Pinellas County and turn around.

At 5:40 a.m., after sprinting from a parking meter, he stood

2. Sean Gallagher 3. Michael Rosato 4. Joshua Prevatt Men 5. Elias Gonzalez 1. Jonathan Mott 6. Lee Rietsma 2. Sean Gallagher 7. Graeme Allardice 3. Michael Rosato 8. John Davis 4. Joshua Prevatt 9. Deion Cossio 5. Elias Gonzalez 10. Larry Smart 6. Lee Rietsma Women 7. Graeme Allardice 1. Terri Rejimbal 8. John Davis 2. Jacki Wachtel 9. Deion Cossio 3. Lisa Valentine 10. Larry Smart 4. Kiera Delaurier Women 5. Jessica Kennedy 1. Terri Rejimbal 6. Maria Dorazil 2. Jacki Wachtel 7. Monica Federoff 3. Lisa Valentine 8. Edie Baxter 4. Kiera Delaurier 9. Laura Osterweil 5. Jessica Kennedy 10. Kristine Claffie 6. Maria Dorazil 7. Monica Federoff 8. Edie Baxter 9. Laura Osterweil 10. Kristine Claffie

1:14:10

1:14:50 Half Marathon Top1:16:47 10 1:17:28 1:09:50 1:18:03 1:14:10 1:19:38 1:14:50 1:20:22 1:16:47 1:20:29 1:17:28 1:20:29 1:18:03 1:19:38 1:23:35 1:20:22 1:27:30 1:20:29 1:28:18 1:20:29 1:29:13 1:29:18 1:23:35 1:30:37 1:27:30 1:30:51 1:28:18 1:31:09 1:29:13 1:31:26 1:29:18 1:31:41 1:30:37 1:30:51 1:31:09 1:31:26 1:31:41

jimbal said. “I live down the Rejimbal joins small group street. I run this everyof day. All my friends meet and train here. women with 40, wins theircourse.”

40s Terri Rejimbal, … It’sin a beautiful

BY LARS STEIER

Tribune correspondent

TAMPA —

became the oldest open division winner inBYPublix Super Markets LARS STEIER Gasparilla Distance Classic hisTribune correspondent tory, capturing the half marathon Sunday in 1 hour, 23 min40, TAMPA — Terri Rejimbal, utes, 35 seconds. became the oldest open division It was third half winner in Rejimbal’s Publix Super Markets marathon Gasparilla, Gasparilla victory DistanceatClassic hishavingcapturing also wonthein half 2009maraand tory, 2010. thon Sunday in 1 hour, 23 minOnly other women 40 or utes, 35 three seconds. older haveRejimbal’s won the 15k, 5k, half It was third marathon or 8k distances during victory at Gasparilla, the race’s 36-year having also won history. in 2009 and Rejimbal, a Tampa native, is 2010. theOnly onlythree one to do women it more 40 than other or once.

No man than5k, 40 half has older have wonolder the 15k, won a raceor at8k Gasparilla. marathon distances during my hometown,” the“This race’sis36-year history. ReRejimbal, a Tampa native, is the only one to do it more than once. No man older than 40 has won a race at Gasparilla.

“This is my hometown,” Re-

Rejimbal’s victory came by nearly said. four minutes.

She the led jimbal “I live down tape toI tape, opening street. run this every the day.race All withfriends a sub-6 minute milehere. that my meet and train brought her onto Davis Islands, … It’s a beautiful course.” where much ofvictory the early part by of Rejimbal’s came the race takes place, She withleda nearly four minutes. sizable tape tolead. tape, opening the race “I know I went out really fast with a sub-6 minute mile that around the onto island,” brought her DavisRejimbal Islands, said. “Imuch thought thatearly would give where of the part of me arace goodtakes lead, because I think the place, with a the hotter it gets, the more peosizable lead. ple“Islow.

I guess was runknow…I went outI really fast ning scared entire way.” around thethe island,” Rejimbal Although she that waswould unablegive to said.

“I thought match her personal best Ion the me a good lead, because think course (1:21:50, from the hotter it gets, the 2011, more placpeoWOMEN, 21 ple slow. … I guess I wasPage running scared the entire way.”

Although she was unable to 2-19 matchPages her personal best on the course (1:21:50, from 2011, plac-

Results from 5k, 8k, 15k and half marathon races as part of Gasparilla Distance Classic, MEN, Page 21

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WOMEN, Page 21

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TAMPA BAY TREASURE AWAITS

@SFJORTSTAMFJABAY. 22 @VISITTAMFJABAY

Runners start the Gasparilla half marathon in Tampa at 6 a.m. Sunday. About 28,000 runners participated in the weekend’s four races.

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2013 JIM REED/STAFF

Runners make their way toward the finish line on Bayshore Boulevard during the Gasparilla half marathon. Jon Mott won in a record time of 1:09:50.

Men

HALF MARATHON TOP 50 FINISHERS

From Page 1

at the Tampa Convention Center registration table. He paid his $75 entry fee — from the $100 bill his aunt gave him for his birthday Wednesday — and took his bib number, which had to be one of the largest numbers (28,828) for an eventual race winner.

Bib number in hand, Mott sprinted to the starting line.

“The sprint from the car to the registration table and the sprint from the registration to the starting line was my warm-up,” Mott said. “Perhaps it wasn’t the best way to warm up.”

Mott, 26, said he didn’t feel his best through the first three quarters of the race, but he started to feel better in the last four miles, which he clicked off at a 5-minute per-mile pace.

“I have to be honest,” Mott said. “I trained for months (running more than 110 miles a week) to win (Saturday’s) 15k and when I ended up running the way I did (on Saturday) my confidence was shot.

“Now, after (Sunday’s victory), my confidence is much better. … Was it worth it? All that craziness from Saturday to Sunday? Yes, yes it was.

“I wanted a ‘W’ next to my

Women From Page 1

ing second), Rejimbal was pleased with her effort.

“I managed to pick it up toward the end. I guess I was smelling the finish line. I was ready to get this over with.”

Rejimbal did not compete at Gasparilla in 2012, and she raced fewer times last year in general.

MALES 1, Jonathan Mott 2, Sean Gallagher 3, Michael Rosato 4, Joshua Prevatt 5, Elias Gonzalez 6, Lee Rietsma 7, Graeme Allardice 8, John Davis 9, Deion Cossio 10, Larry Smart 11, Luis Pou 12, David Stiles 13, John Robida 14, Stephen Cortes 15, Brandon Scott 16, Matthew Kinback 17, Tyler Mattera 18, Trevor Van Knotsenburg

FEMALES 1:09:50 1:14:10 1:14:50 1:16:47 1:17:28 1:18:03 1:19:38

1, Terri Rejimbal 2, Jacki Wachtel 3, Lisa Valentine

1:23:35 1:27:30 1:28:18

4, Kiera Delaurier 5, Jessica Kennedy 6, Maria Dorazil 7, Monica Federoff 1:20:22 8, Edie Baxter 1:20:29 9, Laura Osterweil 1:20:29 10, Kristine Claffie 1:21:00 11, Laura Drake 1:21:03 12, Stacy Juckett Chesnutt 1:21:12 13, Terri Cook 1:21:32 14, Brooke Castelamare 1:22:23 15, Jaime Tillotson 1:22:27 16, Jessica Crate 1:22:50 17, Kandis Dunn 1:23:05 18, Miriala Mondeja 1:23:43 19, Ann Johnston 1:24:09 20, Donna Silver 1:24:33 21, Cindy Hazel 1:24:44 22, Marissa Patrick 1:24:46 23, Jennifer Badik 1:25:05 24, Tracy Rabon 1:25:21 25, Denise Landes 1:25:29 26, Lissa Murphy 1:25:29 27, Debby Farias 1:25:43 28, Kacy Seynders 1:25:44 29, Mary Baum 1:25:47 30, Kali MacGregor 1:26:03 31, Emily Scott 1:26:19 32, Penny Bloom 1:26:25 33, Katherine Leahy 1:26:26 34, Nicola MacKenzie 1:26:56 35, Nicole Hoban 1:27:00 36, Sarah Heikkinen 1:27:09 37, Mindy Hidenfelter 1:27:22 38, Julie Sands 1:27:24 39, Wendy Wilson 1:27:41 40, Ann Yarnell 1:27:54 41, Samantha DeBello 1:27:59 42, Holly Jones 1:28:00 43, Chelsea Manning 1:28:10 44, Christina Chabrier 1:28:26 45, Rina Limor 1:28:29 46, Amy Meinig 1:28:35 47, Casey Cleary 1:28:40 48, Erin Signoracci 1:29:07 49, Michelle Thames 1:29:14 50, Courtney Rice

1:29:13 1:29:18 1:30:37 1:30:51 1:31:09 1:31:26 1:31:41 1:32:30 1:32:37 1:33:08 1:33:31 1:34:37 1:34:41 1:35:33 1:35:34 1:35:44 1:36:34 1:36:39 1:36:47 1:37:22 1:37:27 1:37:38 1:37:52 1:38:08 1:38:18 1:38:27 1:38:30

2013 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Registered Participants

28,482

JIM REED/STAFF

On hand to watch friends in the race, Paige Praze, left, and Julia Walker applaud as runners pass by during the half marathon.

name. I got it. I feel great today.”

Now Mott, who beat Sunday’s runner-up, Clearwater’s Sean Gallagher, by more than 4 minutes, plans to train for a possible Olympic trials marathon qualifying time of 2:18 or less.

“I’ve run under 1:05 for the half (marathon), and to run like I

did today after Saturday’s 15k, well, I’m encouraged,” said Mott, who ran for St. Petersburg’s Northeast High and was an All-American for Webber International University. “It was a crazy weekend, but it was worth it.

“Most definitely, it was.”

“It’s nice to come back a year later and really race it, and win it,” she said.

Her racing schedule in 2013 should be much busier. Rejimbal plans on running the Gate River Run 15k in Jacksonville in early March, and has some longer races lined up for the spring, including the Croom 50k in Brooksville in April, and a marathon in May. A number of runners were

doubling back after racing Saturday.

Jacki Wachtel, 33, of New Port Richey, was second in 1:27:30, after a fourth-place showing in the previous day’s 15k.

Lisa Valentine, 51, of St. Petersburg, was third in 1:28:18.

The winner of the 2011 and 2012 races, Jessica Crate, was in the race as a pacer, leading a pack of runners under the 1 hour, 35 minute mark.

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19, Bryan Dunker 20, Trevor Quandt 21, Norm Woodring 22, Robert Strong 23, John Henson 24, Rod Jette 25, Doug Butler 26, Anthony Black 27, Bill Khan 28, Michael Rivera 29, Floyd Singletary 30, Scott Laffery 31, Matthew Farrell 32, Mark Knapp 33, Christopher Baker 34, David Levy 35, Evan Olsen

2013 GDCA Charitable Donations

$284,000

36, Kenneth Young II 37, Andrew Tepen 38, Raj Ravi 39, Craig Shimkus 40, Doug Harmon 41, Patrick Sirois 42, Valentino Alvarado 43, Jody Byers 44, Franklin Grinstead 45, Jimmy Patterson 46, Ken Skidmore 47, Steve Gavalas 48, Jeff Hoffman 49, Mac Greco III 50, Shane Jacobs

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2014

COMING MONDAY: A 24-page recap of this weekend’s events as part of the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

SUNDAY

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February 23, 2014

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Publix Super Markets Gasparilla Distance Classic

Mott breaks out; Petrick wins again

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Jon Mott of Babson Park was in control from the start and won Saturday’s race with a time of 48 minutes, 44 seconds. He also plans to run today’s half marathon.

Former Northeast High star finally wins men’s 15K now finally.”

Mott, 27, said he will compete in today’s half marathon. The forTAMPA — A year ago, Jonathan mer Northeast High standout took Mott finished second in the Pub- home $2,000 for winning the 15K lix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K race and appeared to be in control

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO Tribune correspondent

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Sara Petrick, who ran for Academy of the Holy Names on Bayshore and also won the women’s 15K in 2012, finished in 55:49. She ran at the 2012 Olympic trials in Houston.

Main, Butler win men’s, women’s 5K Runners both have local ties. Page 2

Notebook Runners will try to reach standard for Olympic marathon today. Page 3

25

Ex-Gator, AHN grad burns up one of her favorite courses was there on Saturday, cheering on Sara, who flew down Bayshore to win the women’s portion of the TAMPA — It was another beauti- Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic ful day of running down Bayshore 15K. “I’d have to say running is in Boulevard for Tampa’s Sara Pet- Sara’s blood.”

BY SCOTT PURKS Tribune staff

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26

from Nelson by 200 meters going third-place finish (1:14:39).

“We all knew it was going to petitors behind them.

9. Sara Petrick 1:21:37 the“At charitable theto GasTampa and first myefforts plan of was feel into the final 4 miles. warmwater so I line thinkforwe kind of Abdirahman led through most bemain forced additional support parilla Distance Classic Associa10. Raquel Stucky 1:23:12 “Normally I’m not confident in out the field, but I really wantfor that,” said Vail,from a of the first 10 miles, but not by prepared Zephryhills water MEN, to Page ensure tion, is easy to see this label is a ed toitget my eye off why my goal much. Periodically over the fiWOMEN, Page 21 21 there was enough for everyone. year-round job.

Harmeling said they also ran “People are amazed with JIM REED/STAFF out of finisher medals for the 8K what we are able to accom- Volunteer Kelsey White hangs a medal around a half marathon finisher on Sunday. Each year more than race last year and had to mail plish,” Harmeling said. “We do- 1,500 volunteers help make the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic one of the nation’s top road races. them to runners. nated $280,000 to charity last In addition to the paid staff, Even with a very loyal group “I didn’t know enough at the hiser moved to Chicago, where year (which included the Boys and Girls Club, Girls Incorpo- time to be frightened of the po- his wife, Amber, was attending more than 1,500 volunteers are of runners who come back to involved. medical school.

Gasparilla year in and year out, rated of Pinellas and Friends of sition,” Harmeling said.

Greg Holden is in his 25th Harmeling is not one to rest on Harmeling knew she wanted Harmeling doesn’t do it by Tampa Recreation).”

This is the 22nd year Harmel- herself. She has a handful of to keep Lautzenhiser aboard, so year with the race and helps lead her laurels. She has high goals ing has been involved with the paid staff members who she re- he comes to Tampa weeks be- registration and with the Fitness for herself and for the race and race. Despite not being a huge lies on year round, such as Jere- fore the race to help with opera- Expo. He said it takes a lot to en- wants Gasparilla to continue to tions and digital aspects. runnerAMPA herself, shereason started out my Lautzenhiser. doing in advance of the race. I’m sure that everything is in place grow as the premier road race in — One I love the Tampa Bay area.

“It speaks volumes to penalhow we for race weekend.

Lautzenhiser started work- pretty as thethe event coordinator the sure there are civil Publix Gasparillafor Dis“If one person walks away Holden said there is also a feelfor about him. brings so anI ening with Harmeling while run- ties Healthtance and Classic Fitnessis Expo.

Harsaying noHe to Leigh, because I thusiasm about the sport and small sense of pressure to get feeling like they are not taken meling was promoted to race di- ning cross country and track at signed can participate in an event I covon one more time. one point, she actually sent it right since race weekend for care of, I feel like I failed,” Harer. I’minsure that shatters some is incredible,” Harmelthe University of Tampa. After hisAtyouth rector 1993 after a nationwide journalistic tenets, but all anyinge-mail said. to her group that basi- many runners begins with his meling said. graduating in 2010, Lautzen- an search. cally read, “No matter how slow one ever says about that is “good Joe Henderson you’re going, you’re still lapping luck” and “have a great race” jhenderson@tampatrib.com everyone on the couch.”

— stuff like that. So at 9 a.m. SatThat’s my new battle cry. urday, along with several thouThey sounded the starting sand of my closest friends, we all ing temperatures and 95 percent humidity and, well, at that point blast, and off we went. I got the awaited the start of this annual same feeling of equal parts anwhat are you gonna do?

Tampa Festival de’ Sweat.

I actually almost hung it up I mean, I knew it was going ticipation and dread I always to be bad when the guy on the this year, but then Leigh Spann get for this race — anticipation, loudspeaker warned runners we — a News Channel 8 meteorol- because even training to run 3.1 would be racing under “yellow” ogist and just about the nicest miles is not easy when you’re JIM REED/STAFF conditions for our 5K journey person in television — asked me an old goat like me, and dread Michael Lathrop of the Seminole Fire Department walked Sunday’s along Bayshore Boulevard. He because my only goal anymore to be part of her training group said something about increasfor some stuff the station was HENDERSON, Page 22 half marathon wearing 70 pounds of equipment known as bunker gear.

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2014

Living proof of the glory that is Gasparilla weekend T

JIM REED/STAFF

Sunday’s half marathon attracted all types of fitness enthusiasts, including one who carried a tire throughout the 13.1-mile race along Bayshore Boulevard and on Davis Islands.

Henderson From Page 1

to finish and get my medal.

Well, I did finish. I got my medal. It hangs with the other seven I’ve collected from this event. And as the finish line grew larger in front of me, I thought, hallelujah. Pulled it off one more time.

Did I mention I love this event?

Where else would I have the opportunity to interview the mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, while Spann I was dressed in running gear and getting ready for the race? Is this a great job, or what?

“If you pull a Rosie Ruiz, I’m going to call you out,” he said.

Not to worry. I ran the course, although “running” is a relative term. I’m more into forward motion than running.

If you’ve been thinking about doing this, stop thinking and start walking. Walk a little. Then run a little. Walk a little more. Run a little more. You can do this. I’m living proof.

Mayor Bob had to hustle to make it to race day. He was in Tallahassee on Friday and his flight home was canceled. If he waited until Saturday morning, he would have missed the 5K and 15K races. So, the mayor rented a car and drove home late Friday night, and was up and at ’em in time to ride in the pace car for Saturday’s festivities. He was running on coffee fumes, just so you know.

Anyone would have understood if he backed out. He had gone to Panama for three days, trying to increase commerce between Tampa and that nation.

He was home for a day, then flew to Mumbai, India, as part of Tampa’s host role in the Bollywood awards this spring.

“We had a five-hour layover in Newark,” he said. “Then I had

the last seat in the last row of coach.”

This man loves his city.

He also loves the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

“It’s a world-class running event,” he said. “This was the road race that put Tampa on the running map.”

It is on the map because of people like Sharon Salter. She has volunteered for about 30 years at this race. She was on the job again this weekend.

“I started with registration and packet pick-up,” she said. “I just love this race. I love working with the people of this race. I absolutely love giving back to the community.”

And then there is Jonathan Mott, who won the 15K event in 48:44.

Jonathan is better than most

27

I wouldn’t even know what to do on the ice with Marty St. Louis bearing down with the puck on his stick.

But, by gum, I can get my sorry butt up in time to do roadany of us ever were, ever will be, work that will prepare me to or ever dreamed of being. Good finish a distance I once thought for him. unattainable. That’s the glory in This basically amounted to Gasparilla. a training run for him, as if 9.3 Leigh Spann nailed it. miles on a terminally humid day If you’ve been thinking about trains you for anything except doing this, stop thinking and pain. It actually gave me a little start walking. hope/fear when he said, “The Walk a little. Then run a little. humidity sucked very bad, as Walk a little more. Run a little you can see from my jersey.” more.

Hey, if the conditions bothYou can do this. I’m living proof. ered someone of this guy’s calOh, and maybe next year you iber, why would I feel bad for can join Mayor Buckhorn in the feeling, well, bad?

5K. He has run this race before, We’re all doing what we can, but not for a while. and that’s another thing I love I told him, “I’m calling you about this event. out — 5K, next year.”

I can’t play quarterback for You can do this, Mr. Mayor. the Bucs.

We all can.

I can’t pitch to Derek Jeter for A lot of us just did. the Rays.

I can’t play power forward for USF.

28

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPALaurens BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS Several runners dressed as bananas celebrate as they cross the 15K finish line near Platt Street on Saturday. More than Molina celebrates as he crosses the line to LUKE JOHNSON/STAFF

5,800 runners took on the challenge of running the 9.3 miles along Bayshore Boulevard on a humid day in Tampa.

2014

4

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Finish Line

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2014

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LUKE JOHNSON/STAFF

win the men’s wheelchair division in the 15K.

TBO.com

PU B L I X S U P E R M A R K E TS GAS PA R I L L A D I STA N C E C L ASS I C

ANDY JONES/STAFF

More than 14,000 runners crossed the starting line near the Brorein Street bridge before heading down Bayshore Boulevard in the 5K race.

Great day for a run

ANDY JONES/STAFF

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Victoria Stewart of Boca Raton crosses the finish line third in the girls 11-14 division of the 5K.

Despite warm, muggy conditions, thousands turned out for the first day of distance races Spectators weren’t grasping for beads this time as they watched for family and friends among ANDY JONES/STAFF

It was sweet victory for pirates and serious runners alike as they crossed the finish line during the 5K. A record number of participants were expected to compete by the end of the weekend.

Shortly after the start, participants were challenged by having to climb the Brorein Street bridge during the Stroller Roll and Walk waves of the 5K.

ANDY JONES/STAFF

the thousands participating in the Gasparilla Distance Classic races on Saturday.

2014 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Registered Participants

29,861 LUKE JOHNSON/STAFF

Several runners dressed as bananas celebrate as they cross the 15K finish line near Platt Street on Saturday. More than 5,800 runners took on the challenge of running the 9.3 miles along Bayshore Boulevard on a humid day in Tampa.

LUKE JOHNSON/STAFF

Laurens Molina celebrates as he crosses the line to win the men’s wheelchair division in the 15K.

2014 GDCA Charitable Donations

$284,000

ANDY JONES/STAFF

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Victoria Stewart of Boca Raton crosses the finish line third in the girls 11-14 division of the 5K.

Shortly after the start, participants were challenged by having to climb the Brorein Street bridge during the Stroller Roll and Walk waves of the 5K.

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Spectators weren’t grasping for beads this time as they watched for family and friends among the thousands participating in the Gasparilla Distance Classic races on Saturday.

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2015

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

FEELING AT HOME

GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC

Northeast High graduate Jonathan Mott took Saturday’s 15K by five seconds, breaking the tape with a time of 47 minutes, 49 seconds to win for the second straight year.

Mott defends men’s 15K crown, will run in today’s half marathon

BY SCOTT PURKS Tribune correspondent

TAMPA — Jonathan Mott isn’t crazy.

But every year for the past three at the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, Mott has done something that sounds crazy: He has run the 15K on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday. And he has run them at a blazing, gut-wrenching, knee-buckling pace.

He has run them so fast, in fact, that the past three years he has won either the 15K or half marathon and has never finished below 12th in either race.

On Saturday, Mott was at it again, winning the 15K in 47 minutes, 49 seconds, and then minutes later was talking about how he was coming back to race in today’s half marathon.

“It’s a little rough,” Mott said.

“But it’s worth it.”

It’s worth it because Mott, a 28-year-old resident of Babson Park in Polk County, gets prize money as a top local competitor.

On Saturday, for instance, he won $2,000, and if he finishes as the top local today, it’s another $2,000.

Prize money or not, Saturday’s second-place finisher, Rafal Ma-

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Running her first 15K after training in Orlando for part of the winter, Michigan native Megan Goethals dominated the field to win the women’s 15K by nearly 4 minutes.

Northern exposure key for 5K winners Evan Quinones (men) and Edie Allardice (women) first to the finish line. Page 2

Notebook Age was no obstacle for many participants on Saturday. Page 3

Top finishers in Saturday’s races Top 50 in each race and top five in each age group. Page 3

Photos of the day Relive Saturday’s races through our pictures. Page 4

MEN, Page 2

Michigan’s Goethals capitalizes on conditions to capture women’s 15K

BY ANDY VILLAMARZO Tribune correspondent

TAMPA — Conditions this time last year for the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K were humid and muggy — not ideal for runners.

This year, however, provided more favorable weather, as temperatures neared 50 degrees in downtown Tampa.

Michigan native Megan Goethals could not have been happier with those conditions. The 22-year-old won the women’s race in 52 minutes, 17 seconds — 3:32 faster than Sara Petrick’s 2014 win-

ning time of 55:49.

“It was my first 15K, and we went in with a plan to just try and stay controlled at the first half and then at the turnaround, pick it up,” Goethals said. “It was perfect outside today. I’m with Hanson-Brooks Project, and it’s up in Rochester, Michigan, and it’s like negative 23 up there, so this feels really good.

“We’ve been training in Orlando for some of the winter, so that has helped a lot. It was a great debut to have here. It’s always special to get your first win under your belt.”

Goethals, a graduate of the UniWOMEN, Page 2

COMING MONDAY: A 24-page recap of this weekend’s events as part of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic.

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an Ireland native who moved into second after the first mile.

Quinones led throughout, pacing a group of five through the first mile in 4:58, a pace he

From there, Quinones, holding to a firm pace, stretched his lead, coming in well clear of Dunne’s 15:48 second-place effort.

way — even those who were in the same race heading out while we were coming home,” Quinones said.

Dunne agreed, adding “We

lardice. But Allardice held on, crossing the line in 19:09, to Cosgrove’s 19:11.

The finish tape holders missed Allardice, so Cosgrove

cently returned to training after giving birth last year. In fact, she waved to her 8-month-old daughter and husband who greeted her after her victory.

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2015 ANDY JONES/STAFF

CHRIS URSO/STAFF

Timothee Mackenson has his eyes on the prize as he heads toward the Rafal Matuszczak and Jonathan Mott set the pace in the 15K as the sun rises along Bayshore Boulevard. finish line during Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic weekend.

Mott eventually overtook Matuszczak and the duo crossed the finish line 1-2 in 47:49 and 47:54.

Men From Page 1

tuszczak from Saint Leo University, thinks Mott’s running double dip “is a little crazy.”

“I know I’m not going to come back and run the half marathon,” said Matuszczak, who finished in 47:54. “It is crazy, but it is impressive. I have all the respect for (Mott).”

Mott, a Northeast High graduate, appreciates the respect, partly because he’s worked so hard the past few years, often running more than 100 miles a week.

The ultimate goal is to qualify for next year’s Olympic marathon trials, which require him to finish a marathon in under 2:18.00 or a half marathon

CHRIS URSO/STAFF

Spectators line the street to get an up-close view of the finish line during Saturday morning’s 15K races.

in under 1:05.

Mott just missed his mark five weeks ago at a marathon in Houston, where he finished in 2:18.12, a time that left him both frustrated and hopeful.

“It was my best marathon time by almost 12 minutes, but it also was disappointing because I came so close (only 12 seconds from qualifying for the Olympic Trials),” Mott said. “It also was to

recover.”

It was, for lack of a better term, a shock to the system. Before Houston, Mott had not run a marathon in four years.

Feeling a little sore and tired, he hasn’t been training as hard the past month (about 70 miles a week), but still hard enough to win Saturday’s 15K and possibly finish as the top local in the half marathon.

“I’m grateful that this race is here,” Mott said.

“It fits into my training schedule.”

What’s next?

Another shot at an Olympic trials qualifying time in a half marathon in June and maybe another marathon after that.

“I still have hope,” Mott said. “I’m close.”

33

Women From Page 1

versity of Washington, kept a solid pace throughout and reached the halfway mark in 26:05 and pulled away from the field.

“I was happy with it,” Goethals said. “I kind of came in knowing that was our goal, to keep a solid pace and try to run with some of the guys, so it was good to put myself against them. I felt great and had a lot of fun out there.”

Crossing in second and third were Tampa natives Rebecca Howarth and Jessica Forrester with times of 56:07 and 56:17.

Forrester, who trains with Howarth regularly, participated in the 5K last year and said that the weather this time around

was much better for runners.

“It felt good. Up to mile 7 it was awesome, and then we turned around and it got really windy,” Forrester said. “Other then that, it was great. Last year’s weather was really muggy, hot and sticky, but this is perfect running weather. You couldn’t ask for better weather. I enjoyed it.”

Petrick, who also won in 2012, finished 19th in 1:04.52.

Several Tampa natives placed within the top 25, including Laura Osterwell (1:03.59), Jan Burger (1:05.04) and Jolene Abanses (1:05.21).

Four Pasco County runners broke into the top 25, with Jackie Wachtel leading the way by finishing seventh in 58:41.

34

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS ANDY JONES/STAFF

2015

Runners of all ages and abilities head out to start the 5K race on Saturday morning as part of Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic weekend in downtown Tampa.

Racing, weather 31,092 heat up

2015 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Registered Participants

2013 GDCA Charitable Donations

CHRIS URSO/STAFF

Tom and Kathy Perona of Fort Pierce embrace at the starting line as they ready for the 15k, the first race of the weekend.

Cold morning fails $311,000 to deter runners on opening day of distance races

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Runners receive their medal after finishing the 15K race. The 5K also was held on the first of two days of competition.

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Distance runners use a variety of techniques — some are more limber than others, as this man demonstrates — to warm up for the races.

ANDY JONES/STAFF

Showing her determination, Arielle Rausin has her sights set on the finish line in the 15K wheelchair race.

35

CHRIS URSO/STAFF

Wearing a tutu, Judy Williams is at her colorful best as she approaches the finish line of the 15K race.

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402-Tampa Bay Times -A Hernando, Monday,TOMORROW February, 22, 2016, FOR Hernando, Circulation 24,800, Daily, 39, Section 1X, Article 858461, Size 11.80 (566) CREATING BETTER THE YOUTH OF Page TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 x 19.80 YEARS

2016

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COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2016

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- -/@&(-% /C+ @ :-(;& @& (: --C + @: (@(/-4 /, @(, ; G/C *-/E G/C

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2016 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Registered Participants

33,532

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FINISH LINE

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2017

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

ROUTINE RESULTS

ANDRES LEIVA | Times

Babson Park’s Austin “A.J.” Richmond, 31, the defending half-marathon champion, claims the weekend’s first big race. The Lake Wales English teacher wins Saturday’s 15K in 47 minutes, 26 seconds.

Austin “A.J.” Richmond becomes a two-time Gasparilla champion.

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

TAMPA — He joined thousands of other runners on the southern edge of downtown Tampa before dawn Saturday and began running beneath a cloud-stained sunrise.

Roughly 47 minutes later, Austin “A.J.” Richmond triumphantly had sent his competitive running career into the sunset.

In what he called his final competitive race, the 31-year-old married father of three pulled away from Babson Park neighbor Jon Mott in the last one-third of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K to win the event for the second time, in 47 minutes, 26 seconds.

Another weekend, another win for Ocala’s Stephanie Pezzullo.

Coming Monday

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

Full results from every Distance Classic event in our special postrace section.

Gasparilla guides Thanks to a nonprofit organization, a blind father and son don’t miss out on competing. 2C

“This is it for me, I’m done,” said Richmond, who nonetheless might run this morning’s halfmarathon. “I decided to move on to other things for a little while to see how I feel.”

An English teacher and cross country/track coach at Lake .

See MEN, 2C

COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

. FAST TRACK TO CHANGE: NASCAR

ANDRES LEIVA | Times

Former Penn State soccer player Stephanie Pezzullo, 34, finishes first in 54:58, just ahead of last year’s champ.

Inside43sports

. STAR POWER: Dale Jr. is still a big

TAMPA — Despite winning two 5-kilometer races in as many states last weekend, Stephanie Pezzullo felt obligated to enter Saturday morning’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K. An Ocala-based running trainer, Pezzullo had 10 clients and wanted to offer support.

She offered an example instead.

Operating mainly on fumes in muggy 70-degree temperatures, Pezzullo won the female competition in 54 minutes, 58 seconds. Because she’s not a local resident, she couldn’t claim the $2,000 first prize, which went

Youth brigade Teenagers nab the top two spots in the women’s 5K; Robinson High alumnus wins for the men. 11C

Scene setters Some runners dress the part, others get good luck smooches.

Photos, 12C

to runnerup (and 2016 winner) Becky Howarth of Tampa (55:18).

“With this heat and humidity, it’s really hard for me,” said Pezzullo, a 34-year-old former Penn State soccer player who transitioned to running late in her college career. “Those last 2 miles I .

See WOMEN, 2C

. MISSED FLIGHT: USF leaves two

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44

completing a few marathons.

Chris said that when he discovered what his son was doing — “and saw my own belly getting bigger and bigger” — he decided to join the program.

hour, 13.07 minutes (405th place rience at the Distance Classic, overall). Chris — running with Chris said, “I loved absolutely Mark Teschko, Joe Schmidt and everything about it.” SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times Addedfrom Kinzey: would love Bob Brown — finished in 1:21.42 Melissa Wilcox, second left,“Istarted an Achilles chapter to come back run it again.”

(969th overall). in Philly. The non-profit pairsand disabled athletes with guides.

As for Tampa and their expeThere is running, then there is running as a guide.

Melissa Wilcox prefers the latter, which is why she founded Philly Achilles, a non-profit group that pairs disabled athletes with guides. . to organizing a trip from Philadelphia to This year that translated continued from 1C Tampa to help seven disabled athletes and 28 guides run Saturday’s 15K. The athletes, wearing bright green Achilles International T-shirts, was literally slippingand because, included those who were blind, autistic in wheelchairs. as you can see, I’m dripping The guides, who runwet.” with the athletes almost every Saturday in Philadelphia, are generally paired fourthe to one athlete for a race. The basic Subtract overcast sky, plan is that one guideand willan lead, two will run Februat each side and one will unseasonable run behind the athlete, is often tethered to one guide by handarywho morning may have segued held string. Periodically through a race, the guides will sometimes to unbearable.

Compounding the magnirotate positions. tude of Saturday’s challenge Wilcox, who has run numerous marathons, got the idea for Philly was the fact Pezzullo won the Achilles after guiding a blind athlete though the 2012 Disney Marawomen’s 5K in Brunswick, thon. She connectedGa., with(in the17:43) athlete through a program at Cigna, last Saturday, where she works as a project manager.Horseshoe and the Blueberry 5K in Marion (ina goal is a great “Crossing the finish line fornorth yourself andCounty meeting the nexther day.chapter with three athletes feeling,” said Wilcox,17:48) who started Both prize money. and 12 guides in 2012 but hasfeatured increased that to a roster of 30 athletes I’m dead from those,” she who couldn’t get and 250 guides. “But“So holding hands with someone said.you there is a completely different experito that finish line without Yet she was among only ence.” three women to maintain a Achilles Internationalsub-six-minute has chapters sprinkled all over the United pace Saturday, States, including ones in central and south Florida, but none in joining Howarth and Tampa’s Nicole Rozario (55:36), a forTampa. mer NCAA national steepleANDRES LEIVA | Times chase qualifier for USF. 15K champ Stephanie Pezzullo is coming off a pair of 5K titles in Georgia and Florida week Times ago. correspondent ScottaPurks, Pezzullo’s final time was only a second slower than Howarth’s winning time in ANDRES LEIVA | Times 2016, when conditions were Runnerup Jonathan Mott, 30, hugs champion Austin Richmond.

Four decades ago, Mike was a pudgy Tampa newcomer moreShea moderate.

The two are former Webber International teammates. beaming over a baby daughter.

“It’s just hard to get your it’shim so swelling. humid, but I’m Pride wasn’t the onlygrip, part of happy with it,” said Pezzullo, the win. He said he and Mott, who .

“I was heavy,” said Shea, who estimates he carried 190 pounds on a JEFF ODOM | Special to the Times the third American female finregularly train on red-clay roads continued from 1C 5-foot-10 frame. “I remember I walked up three sets of stairs and had isher at the 2012 Chicago Marthrough acres ofof eastAlbert “Bucified Bert” Owens, meandering 48, has a long tradition wearing his homemade Bucs costume to the Distance Classic 5K. to stop at the top.

I said to myself, ‘If you’re gonna see her and your athon. ern Polk County orange groves, grandkids grow up, you better start to do some“A win is a win.”

Wales High, Richmond finished were “peaking” for this race. thing.’ ” They have combined to win in the Distance Classic 5K. But since 2001, instead of the tradi55 seconds ahead Mott, his forlbertof Owens, 48, has long been a participant mer Webber International Uni- the Gasparilla 15K in five of the Contact JoeyShea, Knight66, at ran the 15K for the 39th conOn Saturday, tionalThe athletic andeight shorts, has donned something a little different: years.Owens Richmond won versity teammate. two hadtoppast jknight@tampabay.com.

Follow secutive time in the event’s 40-year history, putting last year’s half-marathon. pulled away early in the race Bucs A homemade costume. him@TBTimes_Bulls. just outside the elite fraternity (seven men) that “We both ran a really smart — staged in muggy 70-degree hasPublix participated — at one distance or another — in From his — pirate ship200 hat to a long, red with capeeach andother countless beads draped around his neck, the man who calls himself Gasparilla race, we worked temperatures and were every Gasparilla. and not against each other,” Richmeters ahead of the nearest chalDistance Classic “Bucifi ed Bert” is easy to spot.

Now 170 pounds, he TODAY has logged a personal-best 15K of 55:40 and has mond said. lenger halfway through.

The Harbor’s costume idea stems favorite cartoon character, Underdog. He uses it to be a positive “WithOwens’ just a couple of mileschildhood to Palm Michael Mac- from done six marathons.

Half-marathon: 6 a.m. Starts go, it was kind of an every-mandonald, 31, was third (50:07).

“I did it to start to lose and and get Bayshore in shape,” said Shea, an insurrole for local youths and has awarded 16But scholarships in honor of his mother, who died in 2004. atweight Platt Street kind of thing. he “Wemodel were supposed to go for-himself ance salesman with Boulevard, two kids and five grandchildren. “Then you fall Tampa going as he could, to prepare for the day, arriving early to cheer on the 15K racers. much faster early Mott, was Owens saidon,” he said awakened around 4 hard a.m.asSaturday in love with it.”

8K: 9:15. Starts atbBayshore a 2006 Northeast High graduate I went as hard as I can. If it was Then, the 5K, he achieved his goal nishingbeats in 1:16:30.

Boulevard andthe Verne Street that has particiThough he’ll never be able to join contingent other dayofhefiprobably and top in Florida finisher at the any me.

You flip a coin and that’s pated in every Gasparilla, Shea hopes to endure long enough to own 2016 Olympic marathon trials.

“The whole objective is to make absolutely sure that you start the race and you finish the race, regardless of what Postrace celebration “But we ran conservative and I who’s gonna win between us.” the record for most consecutive Gasparilla 15K races. Only three men the time Owens, awards cramped upis,” badsaid (at 7 miles).

Andwho grew up in Ybor City and worked as a shoe-shiner at age 9.

— Mike Shaver, Tomand Singletary and Gus Mejia — have done the 15K then just kids held on prettythat muchin Contact Joey Knight 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Cotanchobee all 40 years.

“Ithelets know life, when youatstart out, you make adjustments along the way. Hopefully, you’ll be making and I fell off.” jknight@tampabay.com. Follow EVE EDELHEIT | Times Park (behind Amalie Arena) those positive adjustments.”

Richmond collected $2,000 for @TBTimes_Bulls.

Tampa’s Teresa Gadient, 53, listens to the national anthem before the start of the“Just 15K. got to hold out and hope for nothing to break,” Shea said.

A few years later, Chris (who lost 40 pounds) and Kinzey run together (with Achilles’ guides) just about every Saturday. They would run more, but Chris is busy working for Verizon and

Kinzey is busy studying business at Drexel University.

Ultimately, Chris said, there is no finish line in their running plans.

“This is something we can

share and get better and stronger in the process,” he said. “How awesome is that?”

On Saturday, running with guides Cedric Edwards and Rick Cayer, Kinzey finished in one

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2017

WOMEN

39 and counting

MEN

A

Jeff Odom, Times correspondent

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

Running with a purpose

New lease on life WM Cory Jeffries was in the stands for Sunday’s half-marathon. He ran in the 15K on Saturday.

That was enough.

Jeffries wanted to ease back into competitive running after suffering two strokes in the span of a week last year. The first stroke was on April 3. He went to Tampa General and said he was sent home after two days because he did not have insurance.

The second stroke came days later. He spent more than a month in the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital recovering. His speech is slower. He has problems with the left side of his body.

But Jeffries, 52, knew he could still run. He has finished 18 marathons, including ones in Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He even ran in the last full marathon held at the Distance Classic in 2010.

Daniele Shearer made it to the finish line in all four weekend events, a strenuous and noble feat in itself.

But in Saturday’s opening 15K, Shearer started with inspiration.

To honor Jeremy Saunders, a firefighter who was forced to medically retire while battling brain cancer, she suited up in full fire gear — from a helmet, jacket and pants to an oxygen tank fastened to her back.

Then, Shearer, 42 of Mims, went out and finished the race in 1:48:33.

“If he can fight cancer, I can do this for him,” she said.

The gear was a surprise for Saunders. Shearer had competed while wearing it previously, but told him she wasn’t planning to wear it Saturday. Before the race, she sent him a photo that brought a smile to his face.

“He wasn’t expected to make it to Christmas,” Shearer said, “but he’s still fighting.

“If I can bring awareness to cancer and make him smile, that’s all that matters to me.”

Jeffries geared up for Saturday’s 15K by walking or jogging 5-6 miles a day.

“I would jog for two songs on the iPod and walk for one song,” he said.

The pace for Saturday’s 15K was comfortable. He finished in about two hours, 20 minutes. His pace was actually a little faster than before his two strokes.

That is due in large part to losing 75 pounds by cutting out sodium in his diet. He now weighs 225.

“I was what you call a Clydesdale as a runner before,” he said.

The goal now is to compete in half-marathons. He plans to run in a few this summer. He wants to run in the one at Gasparilla next year.

“I never wanted to give up running,” Jeffries said.

“I’m just trying to get stronger each day.”

Bob Putnam, Times staff writer

A great escape

Jeff Odom, Times correspondent

COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES JEFF ODOM |

45

Special to the Times

Mims’ Daniele Shearer competed in all four races over the weekend, but ran the 15K Saturday in full firefighter gear.

The simple act of running has helped save the health, if not the life, of 35-year-old Christi Dwyer.

“In many ways this is true,” Dwyer said moments after finishing the 8K Sunday afternoon, which followed her running the half-marathon that morning and the 15K and 5K on Saturday — 30.4 miles in all.

“I can’t say enough how running has helped me, both physically and mentally.”

Dwyer’s words Sunday were an exclamation point after four years of adversity, which included raising two girls, tending to a husband bound to a wheelchair for almost a year, gaining 60 pounds, then getting diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

Through it all, and partly because of it all, she ran.

Initially she ran — basically for the first time in her life — to shed the 60 pounds she gained in child birth and assisting her husband, David, who was injured in a car accident.

Pounding the pavement around her Oviedo neighborhood, she not only lost the 60, but entered her

first race, a 5K in December 2013.

What followed were more races at longer distances, leading up to half-marathons, as many as one a month.

Then one morning in July 2015, she looked in the mirror and noticed a lump on the side of her throat.

It was thyroid cancer, which meant radiation treatments and surgery on Oct. 7, 2015.

Defying the odds on Oct. 30, 2015, she ran another half-marathon. And after that, she basically never stopped running, despite a restrictive diet and periodic radiation treatments.

“The races give me goals to keep shooting for,” Dwyer said. “The running has kept me strong.”

After completing all four races this weekend, Dwyer is filled with confidence to pursue a full marathon, hopefully the New York Marathon in the coming year. “(Gasparilla) is my biggest accomplishment so far,” Dwyer said. “But there is more to come.”

Scott Purks, Times correspondent

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46

2C

| Sunday, February 26, 2017 | Tampa Bay Times

****

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

Running >

2017

A guiding light for blind runners

LUIS SANTANA | Times

Runners make their way down Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa for the Distance Classic 8K race, which had 5,484 registered competitors.

Non-profit group helps father and son stay competitive.

BY SCOTT PURKS

Times Correspondent

TAMPA — Thousands of souls ran from downtown Saturday morning in the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K. They saw skyscrapers rise up, the river flow under bridges, mansions and palm trees over Bayshore Boulevard, and the sun shine on the finish-line banner.

Two of those souls, Chris Lynch and son Kinzey, are blind, yet didn’t miss a detail.

Chris, 44, was born without sight in his right eye, then lost it in his left thanks to a detached retina. And despite heredity playing no part in the process, Kinzey, 21, was born with microphthalmia, which means he will never see anything but minuscule shimmers of light, shadows and color.

They should never compete without a guide, someone who runs alongside tethered in a grip on a 3-foot string.

On Saturday, they ran with old friends from Team Achilles, who traveled with the Lynches from their homes in Philadelphia. It was another in a growing list of races with Achilles, a non-profit group that pairs disabled athletes with guides.

It’s an organization that pretty much changed the Lynches’ lives.

“I decided that I wanted to start running in the seventh grade, so one day I just showed up at cross country practice and went out and started running,” Kinzey said. “I had no guide and everybody just left me behind.

But I kept going to practice.

It wasn’t until my junior year that I found Achilles and then everything started to get better.”

From there he moved from starting at the back of the pack to starting at the front — “because in the front I wouldn’t have to make my way around all those people that I would pass.”

SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times Turns out Kinzey is pretty fast Philadelphia’s Chris Lynch, left, and son Kinzey are part of Team Achilles, which pairs disabled athletes with guides. Father and son competed in the 15K. and inspirational, especially after completing a few marathons.

A few years later, Chris (who Kinzey is busy studying business share and get better and stron- hour, 13.07 minutes (405th place rience at the Distance Classic, Chris said that when he dis- lost 40 pounds) and Kinzey run at Drexel University. ger in the process,” he said. “How overall). Chris — running with Chris said, “I loved absolutely OCTAVIO JONES covered what his son was doing together (with Achilles’ guides) about it.” | Times Mark Teschko, Joe Schmidt and everything Ultimately, Chris said, there awesome is that?”

Tampa’s Shannon 43,Saturday. has an extra her stride as she celebrates 8K in 41:28. places—ninth overall in her age group.

— “and saw my own belly getting Added Kinzey: “I would love Bob Brown finished in 1:21.42 Onfinishing Saturday,the running with She is noinfinish line in their running justKoebbe, about every They skip bigger and bigger” — he decided would run more, but Chris is plans. to come back and run it again.” guides Cedric Edwards and Rick (969th overall).

As for Tampa and their expe“This is something we can Cayer, Kinzey finished in one busy working for Verizon and to join the program.

.

WOMEN

continued from 1C was literally slipping because, as you can see, I’m dripping wet.”

Subtract the overcast sky, and an unseasonable February morning may have segued to unbearable.

Compounding the magnitude of Saturday’s challenge was the fact Pezzullo won the women’s 5K in Brunswick, Ga., (in 17:43) last Saturday, and the Blueberry Horseshoe 5K in north Marion County (in 17:48) the next day.

Both featured prize money.

“So I’m dead from those,” she said.

Yet she was among only three women to maintain a sub-six-minute pace Saturday, joining Howarth and Tampa’s Nicole Rozario (55:36), a former NCAA national steepleANDRES LEIVA | Times chase qualifier for USF. 15K champ Stephanie Pezzullo is coming off a pair of 5K titles in Georgia and Florida a week ago.

Pezzullo’s final time was OCTAVIO JONES | Times only a second slower than Would Daredevil have been brave enough to run a half-marathon in OCTAVIO JONES Howarth’s time in ANDRES LEIVA | Times 70-degree weather? Not sure, but Tampa’s Phillip Drake, 43, sure is.

Runners are silhouetted by the morning sun as they compete in the half-marathon winning field of 6,500.

2016, when conditions were Runnerup Jonathan Mott, 30, hugs champion Austin Richmond. more moderate.

The two are former Webber International teammates.

“It’s just hard to get your COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES grip, it’s so humid, but I’m happy with it,” said Pezzullo, the win. He said he and Mott, who . the third American female finregularly train on red-clay roads continued from 1C isher at the 2012 Chicago Marmeandering through acres of east-

MEN

47

| Times

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48

Running > Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 2017 | Tampa Bay TOMORROW Times 24 | Monday, February CREATING A 27,BETTER FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2017

Running > Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

Meet a few of the faces in the crowd from the weekend events.

Caped crusader

A higher calling

SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times

Melissa Wilcox, second from left, started an Achilles chapter in Philly. The non-profit pairs disabled athletes with guides.

Runners make their way down Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa for the Distance Classic 8K race, which had 5,484 registered competitors.

LUIS SANTANA | Times There is running, then there is running as a guide.

Melissa Wilcox prefers the latter, which is why she founded Philly Achilles, a non-profit group that pairs disabled athletes with guides.

This year that translated to organizing a trip from Philadelphia to Tampa to help seven disabled athletes and 28 guides run Saturday’s 15K. The athletes, wearing bright green Achilles International T-shirts, included those who were blind, autistic and in wheelchairs.

The guides, who run with the athletes almost every Saturday in Philadelphia, are generally paired four to one athlete for a race. The basic plan is that one guide will lead, two will run at each side and one will run behind the athlete, who is often tethered to one guide by handheld string. Periodically through a race, the guides will sometimes rotate positions.

Wilcox, who has run numerous marathons, got the idea for Philly Achilles after guiding a blind athlete though the 2012 Disney Marathon. She connected with the athlete through a program at Cigna, where she works as a project manager.

“Crossing the finish line for yourself and meeting a goal is a great feeling,” said Wilcox, who started her chapter with three athletes and 12 guides in 2012 but has increased that to a roster of 30 athletes and 250 guides. “But holding hands with someone who couldn’t get to that finish line without you there is a completely different experience.”

Achilles International has chapters sprinkled all over the United States, including ones in central and south Florida, but none in Tampa.

Scott Purks, Times correspondent

39 and counting

Four decades ago, Mike Shea was a pudgy Tampa newcomer beaming over a baby daughter.

Pride wasn’t the only part of him swelling.

“I was heavy,” said Shea, who estimates he carried 190 pounds on a JEFF ODOM | Special to the Times 5-foot-10 frame. “I remember I walked up three sets of stairs and had Albert “Bucified Bert” Owens, 48, has a long tradition of wearing his homemade Bucs costume to the Distance Classic 5K. to stop at the top. I said to myself, ‘If you’re gonna see her and your grandkids grow up, you better start to do something.’ ” lbert Owens, 48, has long been a participant in the Distance Classic 5K. But since 2001, instead of the tradiOn Saturday, Shea, 66, ran the 15K for the 39th contional athletic top and shorts, Owens has donned something a little different: secutive time in the event’s 40-year history, putting A homemade Bucs costume. him just outside the elite fraternity (seven men) that has participated — at one distance or another — in From his pirate ship hat to a long, red cape and countless beads draped around his neck, the man who calls himself every Gasparilla.

“Bucified Bert” is easy to spot.

Now 170 pounds, he has logged a personal-best 15K of 55:40 and has The costume idea stems from Owens’ favorite childhood cartoon character, Underdog. He uses it to be a positive done six marathons.

“I did it to start to lose weight and get in shape,” said Shea, an insurrole model for local youths and has awarded 16 scholarships in honor of his mother, who died in 2004. ance salesman with two kids and five grandchildren. “Then you fall Owens said he awakened around 4 a.m. Saturday to prepare for the day, arriving early to cheer on the 15K racers. in love with it.”

Then, in the 5K, he achieved his goal of finishing in 1:16:30.

Though he’ll never be able to join the contingent that has participated in every Gasparilla, Shea hopes to endure long enough to own “The whole objective is to make absolutely sure that you start the race and you finish the race, regardless of what OCTAVIOthe JONES | Times record for most consecutive Gasparilla 15K races. Only three men Shannon Koebbe, 43, has skip in her stride as she as celebrates finishing the in 9.

41:28. She places ninth overall in her age group. the time is,”Tampa’s said Owens, who grew upaninextra Ybor City and worked a shoe-shiner at8K age — Mike Shaver, Tom Singletary and Gus Mejia — have done the 15K all 40 years.

“It lets kids know that in life, when you start out, you make adjustments along the way. Hopefully, you’ll be making “Just got to hold out and hope for nothing to break,” Shea said. those positive adjustments.”

A

Jeff Odom, Times correspondent

Running with a purpose

Daniele Shearer made it to the finish line in all four weekend events, a strenuous and noble feat in itself.

But in Saturday’s opening 15K, Shearer started with inspiration.

To honor Jeremy Saunders, a firefighter who was forced to medically retire while battling brain cancer, she suited up in full fire gear — from a helmet, jacket and pants to an oxygen tank fastened to her back.

Then, Shearer, 42 of Mims, went out and finished the OCTAVIO JONES | Times Would Daredevil have been brave enough to run a half-marathon in race in 1:48:33.

70-degree weather? Not sure, but Tampa’s Phillip Drake, 43, sure is.

“If he can fight cancer, I can do this for him,” she said.

The gearOF wasTAMPA a surprise COURTESY BAY TIMES for Saunders. Shearer had competed while wearing it previously, but told him she wasn’t planning to wear it

Joey Knight, Times staff writer

New lease on life WM Cory Jeffries was in the stands for Sunday’s Jeffries geared up for Saturday’s 15K by walking or half-marathon. He ran in the 15K on Saturday. jogging 5-6 miles a day.

That was enough.

“I would jog for two songs on the iPod and walk for one song,” he said.

Jeffries wanted to ease back into competitive running after suffering The pace for Saturday’s 15K was comfortable. He fintwo strokes in the span of a week ished in about two hours, 20 minutes. His pace was last year. The first stroke was on actually a little faster than before his two strokes.

April 3. He went to Tampa General That is due in large part to losing 75 pounds by cutand said he was sent home after ting out sodium in his diet. He now weighs 225. two days because he did not have insurance.

“I was what you call a Clydesdale as a runner The second stroke came days later. He spent more before,” he said. than a month in the James A. Haley Veterans’ The goal now is to compete in half-marathons. He Hospital recovering. His speech is slower. He has plans to run in a few this summer. He wants to run problems with the left side of his body. in the one at Gasparilla next year.

But Jeffries, 52, knew he could still run. He has fin“I never wanted to give up running,” Jeffries said. ished 18 marathons, including ones in Chicago, Los “I’m just trying to get stronger each day.”

Angeles and San Francisco. He even ran in the last full marathon held at the Distance Classic in OCTAVIO 2010. JONES Times Bob| Putnam, Times staff writer

Runners are silhouetted by the morning sun as they compete in the half-marathon field of 6,500.

A great escape The simple act of running has helped save the

49 health, if not the life, of 35-year-old Christi Dwyer.

“In many ways this is true,” Dwyer said moments after finishing the 8K Sunday afternoon, which fol-

first race, a 5K in December 2013.

What followed were more races at longer distances, leading up to half-marathons, as many as one a month.

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS Tampa Bay Times | Monday, February 27, 2017 |

2017

Running > Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

LUIS SANTANA | Times

Runners make their way down Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa for the Distance Classic 8K race, which had 5,484 registered competitors.

OCTAVIO JONES | Times

Tampa’s Shannon Koebbe, 43, has an extra skip in her stride as she celebrates finishing the 8K in 41:28. She places ninth overall in her age group.

2017 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Registered Participants

2017 GDCA Charitable Donations

32,423

$337,477

COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

51

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ay, Febru **** Mond

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g’ in y d s a w e h t a h t id a ‘He s FINISH LINE tampabay.com

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BY TONY MARRE

Times Staff Writer

STREET SMARTS

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Pardo

was a retired , 70, of Plant City and 23 Agustin Pardo seven children farmworker with was shot on Jan. 14.

He grandchildren.

Sanders’ win has echo in history

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by Kevinhimself timing. Curham would ing its name High to prepare for next “If we’re Univers and nce. t comp Live, ledbetween parenge Only problem was the to annou of the champion. Page 23 ners skipping the race marathon team tainment is chang ge and past. ies • VSG tance hisactivit his knowled from these for the Dopey Chalis when book, Group. It’s also decided to drawof Thatmana itors.

See VINIK, 7 as a will already had signed up weekend’s U.S. Olympic to Vinik Sports e ful with some fur- which 24,d worked off. He used the skyand other paid live we expan can Kaleel, four races in as many trials. focus to provid Two dyears here,ago, Tampartsskyline market conce aroun Complete results lenge, a series of48.6 expanding its Center as we’rey’s Office Attorne U.S.but well was the miles of Disney’s for theYes, management, legal intern and the Convention among One thing Curham knew days that cover ther than that? event, facilities head to Bay- scrapers to gauge just how far he was Find out where you rank from experience ser- in Tampa. He would often guideposts resort. full results time. with Orlando course. sales and fan spare peers his event your in ce enduran New Jersey, Curshore Boulevard to run city was the big- from the finish line.

Competing in such an Before returning to only chalthe weekend’s15K, 5K, the & Johnson in . races.

In front, all alone, Kaleel’s The familiarity with left little room for recovery d leadham worked for Johnson half-marathon and 8K to compete in Suncame from a strong headwinanyone passed. Then she moved Tampa and helped set up Miles for Moffitt gest reason he decided lenge Curham So GaspaWithout at the Publix Bayshore BouleStill, she kept thinkday’s half-marathon ing into the homestretch.target. He could back to New Jersey.

5K and 10K races along hfare for Sunday’s Florida for another him, Kaleel was a rilla Distance Classic. ing about returning to vard, the main thoroug e (the course’s near runner.

“I’ve run on Bayshor not draft off another athon. race. plenty of times not change. Kaleel focus was on the half-mar stayed with a lead Still, the strategy did main thoroug hfare) Instead of Disney, her At the start, Curham “It’s fast. It’s flat. pushing to maintain . Soon after they before,” Kaleel said. bore down. He kept Gasparilla half-marathon. e participant pack of male runners established. as the lead-up to to run by already course he Curham pace first-tim perfect the leaving the steady It’s the On Sunday, surged ahead, you have people y with her female “You have to race like “You can’t give Boston.” did not keep compan herself. just compete as said. blowing past the e from something Kaleel did more than on your heels,” Kaleel Needing a challeng competitors for long, dominant, winning 16.59 minutes, ition, Curham a first-timer. He was up.” field to win in one hour,faster than any other than the compet personal record of reel him in. Far enough could minutes one 23 , No five in a half-marathon WOMEN than the See more cruised past , more than a minNicole Rozaric, 29, one hour, 9:21 seconds ahead of the field, Kaleel A blanket was other woman. Tampa’s competitor, Ohio’s ute ahead of his closest finish line unchallenged. .

Spencer Mahon, 23 (1:10:25) nity for new- See MEN, 23 There was ample opportu

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2018

Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, February 25, 2018 | 1C

Sunday, February 25, 2018

FINISH LINE

MASTERFUL Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

Photos by LUIS SANTANA | Times

Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K champions Jon Mott, left, and Paige Howard turn out career milestones Saturday. Mott, no stranger to top finishes on Distance Classic weekends, clocks in a race personal-best 47 minutes in the event. Howard, a former East Bay High/University of Tampa runner, discovers that motherhood hasn’t slowed her stride one bit.

Northeast High alumnus Jon Mott becomes a three-time 15K champ, runs his best-ever Gasparilla time.

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

COURTESY OF—TAMPA BAY TAMPA Roughly 20 TIMES minutes into

Saturday morning’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, reigning champion A.J. Richmond glanced over his left shoulder to former college team-

then as soon we hit the (Gandy Boulevard) turnaround and started coming back (up Bayshore), I started dropping it to subfive-minute miles. It held, but at the last three miles it was me and A.J., and then A.J. just started slowly falling off.”

Paige Howard, a former East Bay

MORE INSIDE A study in perseverance Colleen Kelly Alexander, who survived being crushed by a freight truck, is an inspiration to fellow runners. 2C

53 In their element

A pregnant Paige Howard “listens 163 to her body” and precedes two other mothers to the finish line.

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

TAMPA — Initially, Tampa’s Paige Howard was a little reticent about joining the predawn throng at the starting line of Saturday’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K.

Another mom, 34-year-old Christa Stephens of St. Petersburg, was third (58:56). Stephens, who won five state distance running titles as Christa Benton at Keswick Christian, is a former two-time 15K champ.

“I’m really happy,” said Howard, who

Tampa Bay Times | Monday, February 26, 2018 | 13 Tampa Bay Times | Monday, February 26, 2018 | 13

PublixGasparilla Distance Classic Classic CREATING AGasparilla BETTER Distance TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 13YEARS Publix Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Tampa Bay Times | Monday, February 26, 2018 |

2018

Meetthe thepeople, people,like likeThe The Voice, Voice, who who take Meet take in in the theDistance DistanceClassic Classicweekend, weekend, whether on theVoice, sidelines pounding the pavement.

Meet the people, like The who or take in the Distance Classic weekend, whether on the sidelines or pounding the pavement. whether on the sidelines or pounding the pavement.

A day two) at at the the races A theraces races Aday day (or (or two)

LUIS SANTANA | Times

Jane Friend is a regular on Distance Classic weekends, offering runners| Times LUIS SANTANA LUIS SANTANA | words of encouragement and high-fives.

Jane Friend is a on on Distance Classic weekends, offering runners Jane Friend isregular a regular Distance Classic weekends, offering runners words of encouragement and high-fives. words of encouragement and high-fives.

Times

Jane Friend is aptly named — she’s Jane isisaptly named — every she’s JaneFriend Friend aptly named — she’s definitely a friend and fan of definitely a friend and fan of every definitely Distance a friend and fan of every Gasparilla Classic runner.

Gasparilla Classic runner.

GasparillaDistance Distance Classic runner.

SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times

Colton Williams, a 7-year-old second-grader from Orlando, runs the 15K, 5K and 8K races over the weekend SCOTT PURKS | Special to with the Times SCOTT | he Special to his auntWilliams, KimberlyaWilliams. a veteran 16 marathons, started running Colton when waswith 1 the andTimes Colton 7-year-oldKimberly, second-grader fromofOrlando, runs the 15K, 5K and 8Kwith races overPURKS the weekend Colton Williams, a 7-year-old second-grader from Orlando, runs thestarted 15K, 5K and 8Kwith races overwhen the weekend strapped in a running stroller. his aunt Kimberly Williams.

Kimberly, a veteran of 16 marathons, running Colton he was 1 with and his aunt Kimberly Williams.

Kimberly, a veteran of 16 marathons, started running with Colton when he was 1 and strapped in a running stroller.

Just kids stuff stroller. strapped in a running Just Williams kids stuff Colton did something this weekend that the averOn Sunday, Kimberly ran the half-marathon (finishing in Just kids stuff age citizen never does in a lifetime.

2:22:44), then joined Colton the 8K, where(finishing they finished Colton Williams did something this weekend that the averOn Sunday, Kimberly ran thein half-marathon in in 57:47. age citizen never does in a lifetime.

2:22:44), then joined Colton the 8K, where they finished Colton Williams did something this weekend that the averOn Sunday, Kimberly ran theinhalf-marathon (finishing in in He ran a 15K and a 5K on Saturday, and an 8K on Sunday.

57:47. ageMany citizen does inon a lifetime. theloved 8K, where they Kimberlythen saidjoined ColtonColton would in have to also runfinished the half-in He ran anever 15K and a 5K Saturday, 8K on Sunday. avid runners, however, mightand say,an “What’s the big deal? 2:22:44), 57:47. marathon, but age limitations prohibit 7-year-olds from runHe Lots ran aof15K and ado 5Kthat on Saturday, andsay, an 8K on Sunday. runners type of might thing.”

Many avid runners, however, “What’s the big deal? Kimberly said Colton would have loved to also run the halfning thatsaid distance, a would rule that’s just fine with her. marathon, butColton age limitations prohibit 7-year-olds from have loved to also run therunhalfLots of runners do thatnot type of thing.”

But many runners are 7might years old.

Many avid runners, however, say, “What’s the big deal? Kimberly ning that distance, a rule that’s just fine with her.

“He’s onlybut 7 and we don’t want to do too much,” Kimberly marathon, age limitations prohibit 7-year-olds from runBut many runners notof7said yearsWilliams, old.

Lots of runners do thatare type thing.”

“I’m enjoying it very much,” a second-grader said.that “This is bythat’s far the most mileage he’s ever done “He’s only 7weekend and weadon’t want to dofine too much,” Kimberly ning distance, rule just with her. hassaid been cheering for me.”

“I’m Orlando. enjoying it are verynot much,” Williams, a second-grader Butfrom many runners“Everyone 7 years old.

(7 miles a7few weeks was the previous longest run).done It’s said.

“This weekend isago by far the most mileage he’s ever “He’s only and we don’t want to do too much,” Kimberly from Orlando.

“Everyone has been cheering for me.” moreitso than his aunt, who has “I’mNone enjoying very much,” saidKimberly Williams,Williams, a second-grader (7 miles a few weeks ago was the previous longest run). been a challenge, but it’s been great. ” said. “This weekend is by far the most mileage he’s everIt’s done None more“Everyone soaround than his aunt, Kimberly Williams, whosince has been running Orlando with her nephew ever from Orlando. has been cheering for me.” been a challenge, butisit’s been great. ” and come back next Colton said the goal to “keep running (7 miles a few weeks ago was the previous longest run).

It’s been running around Orlando with her nephew ever since Colton was None more so1.than his aunt, Kimberly Williams, who has Colton said the goal isit’s to “keep running year aand run the Gasparilla races again.” been challenge, but been great. ” and come back next Colton was 1.

Sunday, February 25, 2018 “I pushed in a (running a few years been runninghim around Orlandostroller) with herfor nephew ever until sinceone year and run thehas Gasparilla races again.”

Kimberly, who run 16 marathons, said the goal is to keep Colton said the goal is to “keep running and come back nextit “I pushed him in a3(running stroller) for to a few until one day when was or 4 he said, ‘I want get years out and run,’ ” Colton was 1. he Kimberly, who run 16 marathons, said the goal is to keep it fun and and interesting. year run thehas Gasparilla races again.” dayKimberly, when he was or 4no hechildren said, ‘I want to own. get out and run,’a” said who3has of her “It’s been fun interesting.

“I pushed him in a (running stroller) for a few years until one few “I’mand having fun,” who typically runs justisato said Kimberly, who hastogether. no children of her own.

“It’s been a great thing for us to do I think it has brought us closer Kimberly, who hassaid runColton, 16 marathons, said the goal keep it day great whenthing he was 3 or 4 hetogether. said, ‘I want toitget and run,’ ” “I’m having fun,” saidaColton, who typically runs a few miles a week.

“I was little tired after the 15K butjust it felt good.” us to I think hasout brought us closer together andfor I am sodo grateful for that.” fun and interesting. saidtogether Kimberly, who has children of her own. “It’s been a miles a week. “I was a little tired after the 15K but it felt good.” and I am sono grateful for that.”

On Saturday, Kimberly, 30, ran alongside Colton from beginfew “I’m having fun,” said Colton, who typically runs just a great thing for us to do together. I think it has brought us closer Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic On Saturday, Kimberly, 30, ran alongside Coltonone fromhour, beginning toand end, which translated a simultaneous Scott a Purks, Times correspondent miles week.

“I was a little tired after the 15K but it felt good.” together I am so grateful forto that.” ning second to end, which to aasimultaneous hour, Scott Purks, Times correspondent 49.18 finish translated in the 15K and 42:11 finish inone the 5K. On Saturday, Kimberly, from 49.18 second finish in30, theran 15Kalongside and a 42:11Colton finish in the begin5K. ning to end, which translated to a simultaneous one hour, Scott Purks, Times correspondent 49.18 second finish in the 15K and a 42:11 finish in the 5K. **** Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, February 25, 2018 | 13C

FINISH LINE

MASTERFUL

He’s quite He’s quite the character the character Saturday On a sweat-inducing He’s quite On a sweat-inducing morning, Rick FaberSaturday decided to the morning, Rick Faberante. decided to up thecharacter perspiration

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Journal

Feeling the burn at 81 and not stopping

up thesweat-inducing perspiration ante.

On Saturday He aarrived at the starting line of He at theFaber starting line of to morning, Rick thearrived 15K bedecked in adecided Spandexthe 15K bedecked in a Spandexup the perspiration ante. like Deadpool costume, a skin2C TAMPA — Bill Riley is still at it, which is amazing like Deadpool costume, a skinRunning for support hugging ode to the Marvel ComHe arrived at the starting line of because he’s 81.

Publix Distance Classic hugging ode to the Marvel ComKelly VarsamesGasparilla of Tampa started Saturday’s ics 15K character. the bedecked in a Spandex15K alongside everybody else. But about 4¹⁄ A very, very fast 81. ics character. miles in, she stopped and made her way over like Deadpool costume, a skinRiley, for instance, ran Saturday’s “There’s sweat in places you to the sidewalk under the overpass to Davis “There’s sweat places youComIslands and picked up a sign that read “RepubliPublix Gasparilla Distance Classic hugging ode tointhe Marvel would not think there’s sweat,” cans for common sense gun laws.” would not think there’s sweat,” 5K in 26 minutes, 19 seconds, more ics thecharacter.

Orlando resident said.

Death came for she identifies as a moderate Varsames, 51, said the Orlando resident said. than 10 minutes ahead of his next Colleen Kelly Republican, adding she had never before taken “There’s sweat places you For Faber, 35, itin flows in smaller Alexander twice.

Now protest or rally. She part in any sort of political Bill Riley wins age group competitor (80-84).

For Faber, 35, it flows in smaller sherarely defies, inspires. very even contacts her local representawould not think there’s sweat,” torrents these days.

A teacher According to the “Runner’s World his 5K age tives, she said. group (80-84) torrents these days. A teacher Age Graded Calculator” — which in 26:19. at Orlando’s Oak Ridge High, his the Orlando resident said.

But TAMPA when—17On children and teachers were killed the quiet morning of Oct. 8, 2011, a 30-ton at Orlando’s Oak Ridge High, his atfreight Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Runner’s World says is “a way of puttruck ran a stop sign in weight topped out at 365 pounds Parkland lastofweek, the small town Clinton,she Conn.knew she wanted to For Faber, 35, itout flows in smaller weight topped at 365 pounds ting all race participants on a level playing field It ran over Colleen Kelly Alex- — to get people’s doander, something — anything three years ago. who was riding a bicycle. torrents these attention aboutfront gunwheels violence. So several days three years ago.days. A teacher The truck’s regardless of age” — Riley’s adjusted time would be crushed her, then spit her to before the Gasparilla Distance Classic, she sent “My ex-wife told me how fat I was the back double wheels, which at Orlando’s Oak Ridge High, his 16:05.58. That would have placed him second overaround Facebook event invitation calling for “My ex-wife told me how fat I was crusheda her again.

Her pelvis crackedand in two.

Her their support for gun people to come show like, pretty much daily,” hepounds said. all to 27-year-old Taylor McDowell of Tampa, who weight topped at 365 legs broke in pieces. Metal ripped like, pretty muchout daily,” he said. reform. open her abdomen. Her inteswon in 15:58. tines spilled onto the pavement. three years ago.

So he began running in earnest, “We said, ‘You know what, let’s do something.

Muscles shredded. Skin tore off So he began running in earnest, No doubt Riley, who lives half the year in in wide swaths.

There will be thousands of people here, let’s get thenex-wife incostume. costume.

Sofar far in2018, 2018, “Then I died,” Alexander said “My told So me how fat I was people to speaksitting theirinside voices,’ ” said Varsames, St. Petersburg and half in Cape Cod, Mass., would be then in in Friday afternoon, LUIS SANTANA | Times the Tampa Convention Center.

“I who showed up in who was one of about 50 hehas has logged 186daily,” miles.

At the even faster if not for a partial knee-replacement surlike, pretty much he said. flatlined. I was gone.”

A group of about 50 people gather along the race route Saturday morning tothe bring he logged 186 miles.

At support of the “What was great about Alexander, 42, cause. said it calmly, attention to gun violence. recentWalt WaltDisney DisneyWorld WorldMaraMaramatter-of-factly, with a here and we had it was, we hadintensely Democrats gery in 2015. The surgery sidelined him for a while recent deep, blue-eyed stare — the same So he began running in earnest, Republicans here. … Honestly I don’t think this passing runners expressed their supportthon for the (his Andfirst to Varsames, it was a reason to be hopeful. way she looked when she ticked and led him to a little more biking and swimming marathon), Faber offpolitical every alarming detail. is a issue; I think it’s an American issue.” group’s efforts. They received thumbs-ups thon first marathon), Faber and (his then in“By costume.

So far in 2018, in large, people were supportive,” she said.

She went on. and less running. up as theLittle Little Mermaid.

Throughout the morning, Varsames Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K champions Jonsaid, Mott, many left, and Paige Howardwith turn out career milestones Saturday.

Mott,dressed no finishes oneveryone Distance Classic weekends, clocks in a cheers, only a few dissenters thrown in.stranger to“Itop Limp with no pulse on a table, just think is fed up.”

SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times dressed up as Mermaid. race personal-best 47 minutes in the event.

Howard, a former East Bay High/University of Tampa runner, discovers that motherhood slowed herthe stride bit. a trauma team pumped their he hashasn’t logged 186one miles.

At the SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times “I had to adjust,” said Riley, who is down to about weight again and again and “I run in character and sing along, again onto her heart for 20 minRoxie the crosses the 15K finish in her her racing racing boots. boots.

20 miles running week and up toshepherd about 80 miles “I run inWalt character and sing along, recent Disney World MaraRoxie theaAustralian Australian shepherd crosses thedown 15K in utes, smashing on herfinish sterMORE INSIDE num and ribs, which cracked Northeast High alumnus Jon Mott A pregnant Paige Howard “listens just kinda try to make more fun,” Roxie companion of Desiree Desiree Rincon. biking. under the stress. just kinda try to make ititmore fun,” By the numbers thon (his first marathon), Faber Roxieisisaaservice servicedog dogand and near near constant constant companion of Rincon.

A study in Then her heart began becomes a beating three-time 15K champ, to her body” andalso precedes twototo other perseverance said Faber, who also planned What’s next? How about June 15 at the annual again. said Faber, who planned dressed up as the Little Mermaid.

The next day in surgery, she Colleen Kelly Alexander, PURKS | Special runs hisonly best-ever Gasparilla time.to the Times mothers to the finish line. flatlined again, toSCOTT come raceWoman’s in New Hampshire up Mount Washington, who survived being runin inSunday’s Sunday’s half-marathon. best friend run half-marathon. back a second time. crushed by a freight truck, Woman’s best friend then as soonracing we hit the (Gandy Boulevard) Anothersing mom, 34-year-old Christa “I run in character and along, It was not until five weeks an inspiration to fellow which is the 7.6 miles up a tremendously steep incline Roxie Australian shepherd crosseslater, the 15K finish inturnaround her boots.isrunners. and started coming back (up Stephens of St. Petersburg, after a medically induced Age ofwas third 2C “And ifIIsee see somebody struggling Listed participant 90opened or olderinto inan the 15K: Tampa’s Baizan, the hour, 45-minute mark of Saturday’s 15K, Australian shepherd Bayshore), I started Judith dropping it to sub- who at 92 who won five state disTAMPA Roughly minutes TAMPA — if Initially, Tampa’s Paige How- (58:56). Stephens, “And coma, that—she finally20 Atabout about theone one hour, 45-minute mark of Saturday’s 15K, an Australian shepherd andAt takes about theand same amountconstant of just trysomebody to make itstruggling more fun,” City Roxie iscompetitors a service dog near companion of Desiree Rincon. five-minute miles. It held, but at the last titles asSun Christa at Saturday morning’s Gasparilla ard was akinda little reticent about joining the tance running her deep eyes toPublix find her finished inblue 2:38:57.

Ilike likethrong toeither throw ’em words ofBenton miles it wasthe me andfinish A.J., and thenline on Christian, is aCenter’s former two-time Distance Classic 15K, sprinted reigning predawn ateither the starting line of Sat- Keswick husband,shoes Sean Alexander, at her cham- three service across Isaid to throw ’em words of timewearing to finish asa aahalf-marathon. wearing servicevest vestand andfour fourtiny tinyrunning running sprinted across the finish lineInon just started slowly falling off.”

15K champ. pion Richmond glanced over his A.J. urday’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic side. A.J.shoes Faber, who also planned to BobHoward, Ranta, their element Paige Howard, a former East Bay “I’m really happy,” said who left“I was shoulder 15K. alive,” to sheformer said. “It college was a teamencouragement orfinished just14th say someBayshore Boulevard.

“It’s a challenge,” Riley said. “It’s a great experiencouragement or just say someA pair of cross country at the 2005 4A state mate Mott On a morning when temperatures gift. I Jon wanted toand live.”flashed a quick hand High and University of Tampa distanceBayshore Boulevard. theClass oldest run Sunday’s half-marathon.

Woman’s best friend running standout, won the women’s overcross country meet as Paige Williams. signal. began in in the mid-60s and climbed, Howrunners (one former, one What followed was hard living listed male ence.” thing completely ridiculous just to “I have a 17-month-old (son), so I never “He was telling me that Bolts the two guys all title in 57:14. She and Mott each earned ard’s concerns weren’t so much steeped current) hit their stride in indeed.

Dozens of surgeries. thing completely ridiculous just to The dog’s owner, Desiree Rincon, 37, was about a back.

Roxie and Rincon $2,000 purseRoxie awarded to the top localRincon out after havin front of bones. him were hurting,” Mott theback. in the external conditions but the internal knew how it would pan screwed into Wounds that winning the 5K. 13C participant Thebe dog’s owner, Desiree Rincon, 37,of was about a half-mile half-mile and “And if’em I see somebody struggling will another onhour, a long list of Riley accommale/female finishers inshepherd the 15K in race, ing a kid, but apparently (it did) pretty said. ones. leakedparticipants blood. Stretching exerAtItabout the one 45-minute mark Saturday’s anwith Australian Listed in15K, Listed participants make ’em laugh because running in the 15K. make because running which consisted of 10,471 runners. well.”

It was Mott’s cue to A 30-year-old mother laugh of a toddler, Howcises that felt after like herconquer. legsa — Army veteran who suffers from seizures bout gastric cancer —an ana Army veteran who50 suffers from seizures after awere bout gastric cancer Saturday’s Saturday’s

By Alexander, Saturday’s second mile, the four 77, met Saturday morning while running Pacing prudently atof the outset Managing a brisk pace downColleen the with ard isthe nearly two months’ pregnant with shares being ripped 5K. apart.

Kelly 42, and15K. Richard Parker, 15K. Along the way, Alexander withherself Parker her incredible plishments, which includes around marathons, Ranta Iher to either throw ’em words wearing service vest and four tiny running shoes sprinted finish line on islike hard … and every step pain.” leaders Mott,the Richmond, former Saint onstep an unseasonably toasty morning (by stretch, Mott, 31,in gradually pulled away across second child.…

Pain wrapped pain, tied in comeback story.—Parker, a veteran of 30 marathons and six Ironmans who has Parkinson’s disease, says “(Alexander) is an inspiration to allis ofis us.” is hard and every pain.”

Scene setters finished in her— run hundreds of together in five years been paired.

But country All-American RafalBut found from that modest lead pack to winthey’ve his Leo crossbeen “I was a little nervous about it,” How- February standards), Howard —have haveand run hundreds ofraces races together in the five years they’ve paired. pain.the six Ironmans many, many age-group race vicIt’s always good to have Matuszczak and Matt of Boulselfjust closely trailing Wachtel at the turnencouragement say somethird Gasparilla since ard said, “and just knew I’d listen to myor 2:07:46.

Gratitude in Motion, which tells Parkinson’s disease. her body and herHensley “I cried and I15K gottitle mad, and2014.

I ripped open Alexander Bayshore Boulevard.

Dad nearby, and never der,stopped Colo. — beating had putfor 300 yards between around.

Even withemotion,” temperatures hovering in twice body.” She is her story in heartfelt, gripping heart rode every she said, “Her story is amazing. retrieves her this the finish line. tories. thistime timearound, around,Roxie Roxiehad hadaahead headstart startfor for underestimate the power themselves and athe rest of the field. At Her late surge along Bayshore Bouthe mid-60s at theafter outset — a veritable Today, $2,000 staff detail.

20 minutes, she “ran” halftasting bitterness already an inspiration for Joey all of us.she IKnight, amhas an additional medal after Times writer thing completely ridiculous just todaily 14C Knight, Times that point,involved Mott found himself roughly 30 levard writer — where she runs almost sauna as starting-line weather goes — back. her her soon-to-be daunting diaper bud-staff She will tell you, of asprincess she hashugs. marathon, which gripliving with lupusa and surviving very grateful thatJoey Ifor found and completing The dog’svery owner, Desiree Rincon, 37, was about half-mile Roxie and Rincon On“She’s Saturday, Rileywell-versed, finished 813th in the 5K, which yards and behind the other — stood in glaring contrast her high Mott’s time minutes flat) wasRincon hisping besta walker get. three. shuffling with a surgery for(47 a herniated cerebelWhat a memsaidreuniting in many motivational ran with her today. theto 15K. usually,” reuniting “She’s very well-versed,and andshe’s she’svery verygood, good, said, after Year of the first Gasparilla Kids 5 years or younger school career, when sheShe periodically in this A former East Bay Highlaugh and University The were in a pack

by Milethat 4, it might not orable day.”

SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times a colostomy bagfour dangling from lum inrace.

2006.

“Sometimes I won-Disspeeches, has a make ’em because running isn’tan tooArmy bad considering hewho beat 12,383 otherfrom partic-seizures — veteran suffers a bout cancer off. Instead, Richmond second, 11 44:29 seconds of Tampa Howard overtook fellow started too fast and tapered Mott and participated Richmond began in pulling herwith side. dered howafter can was I go on.”

Alexander smiled likeruns sherunner, wasalone always bethe easy,5K but the answer Bob tradition of tance Classic 15K, won in bywhen gastric who Ranta, 85, in his age group, but still with Roxie upon “Something happened the was Coming with Roxie uponher herfinish. finish.

“Something happened There aagirl behind histhe buddy. mom Jacki Wachtel shortly after the race’s it was the 38-year-old Wachtel, Midway through 6, the two “Itcourse. hurtaway. so bad,” she said.

“But I Mile Along way she on said she the happiest person on earth. is was simple, that ifgirl there is life, Monday givinglongtime her is hard …Boulevard andenevery is atpain.” ipants, 99 percent of whom were younger than him. inBill Rodgers. or 15K races. finishes ahead ofable younger competitors. country coach Pasco-Hernando “I pretty much executed my planwas perturnaround on route crossstep had Iat least a 20-yard lead on the othsmiling. was alive.” made “a choice.”

No, she will never be to Gandy there is hope.

SheFull will hopefrom race medals results every — have run hundreds of races together the five years they’ve been paired.

But to maintain fectly,” said Mott, a Northeast High alumto thenowomen’s ers. there, Mott slipped past hisinspires She runFrom and/or competed “Either I could sit on my couch give birth. doubt title. Howard finished in State College, who struggled that her story you. Classic to her heroes, Ithasgot startled, and she out itaddicted scared her.

Distance event in She will her startled, and she outthere therewho whowas wasblowing blowingaavuvuzela, vuvuzela,and and in Lakeland. minutes, Webber International University 100 races or triathlons andnow be residing to painkill- in almostformer always live with57some sort14 ofseconds, about 42 seconds her initial pace.

On Saturday, notour long intosection. mostly special “I sat let themher duel it out,since andthen. ahead of someWachtel. thistook timeoff.” around, Roxie had a head start fornus the finish line. ers,” sheback, said, waving hand will the 15K, she found a new friend, physical pain. She nurses and took off.”

On Saturday, she ran two 77-year-old Richard Parker of times have to fight toward the thousands of runners off anxiety doctors and Joey Knight, Times staff writer rehabilitation shopping and picking up their more, the Gasparilla’s 15K and Panama City. attacks. But she will go on.

5K. Today, she will run another, bib numbers Friday at the Tampa Running.

“We started talking, and we specialists.

“She’s veryan well-versed, and she’s good, Rincon said, after reuniting Rincon, spent 12 in the Army, station atotherMacDill MacDill Rincon, anOrlando Orlandonative, native, spentvery 12years years inusually,” her last station at the half-marathon.

Convention Center.

“Or I couldwith Smiling. told each our stories,” said Results Along the way, she will greet Parker, who has run 30 marado this.”

Inspiring. with Roxie upon her “Something happened thepeople course.

There aIronmans girl at the convention cen- was She could run. onafter “I’ve made a choice,” she said. thons and six (includAir Force Base.

In 2012 was released being diagnosed with gasAir Force Base.

Infinish.

2012she she wasmedically medically with gasAmy Hammond 01:09:06 sports 34. Maria Lopez 00:22:22 F 80 TO 84 2CNine months after the truck ter and happily diagnosed sign herMALE book, ing Kona) and isInside “I think it’s a good one.” now43. battling 44. Johannah Hall 01:09:16 35. Mackenzie Scordato 00:22:22 1. Susie Moncrief 02:00:37 outtric there who was blowing a surgeries vuvuzela, andPublix it scaredfollowed. her. It gotDistance her15K startled, and she and radiation triccancer, cancer, andmonths monthsof of surgeriesand and radiation 01:09:24 36. Sophia Fournier 1. Jonathan MottClassic 00:47:00 45. Janna Edwards 00:22:25 F 90 TO 98 . RAYS: A Gasparilla dramatic makeover, yes, but Richmond . TOM JONES: With rebuild, what . LIGHTNING: Karlsson, 46. Ellen Gerth 01:09:32do37. Jen Eggleston 2. Austin 00:47:11 00:22:26Erik 1. Judith Baizan a possible 02:38:57 took off.”

47.

Julie Berling 01:09:43 3C 3.

Matt Hensley 00:47:46 38. Nikole Nelson BayPasco00:22:28 is well-regarded. 3C . MEN from 1C don’t call itcontinued tanking,which, the team says.

3C began Rays have Tampa target, F 99 AND OVER The began trig-to lose except more games?

Thetreatment treatmentcaused causedher herto todevelop develophypoglycemia, hypoglycemia, in turn, trigBY SCOTT PURKS AND KELLY PARSONS | Times Correspondents

| Sunday, February 25, 2018 | Tampa Bay Times

****

Call her more than just a survivor

BY SCOTT PURKS

Times Correspondent

Photos by LUIS SANTANA | Times

1C | Sunday, February 25, 2018 | Tampa Bay Times

1

BY JOEY KNIGHT

85

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

Times Staff Writer

13,196

10,471

Photos by SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times

1978

22

.

See MEN, 2C

| Sunday, February 25, 2018 | Tampa Bay Times

COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

.

See WOMEN, 2C

****

Call her more than just a survivor 54 4. Rafal Matuszczak 00:48:09 5. RJ 00:50:47 (three-tenths of aDorazil mile).”

After a 6. few days’Weber rest, Mott — who Joseph 00:51:04 endured four surgeries at Webber before 7. James Osborne 00:51:26 evolving into an elite — 8. Mitch Arnoldmarathoner00:51:52 begins training for theMacdonald Ottawa Marathon 9. Michael 00:52:05 in late May.10, HisBrendan goal is toTwiggs finish in 2 hours, 00:52:06 19 seconds11. orKyler less, Long which would qual00:53:37 ify him for 12. theTyler 2020Roberts Olympic trials in00:53:37 the event.

13. Tyler Blackburn 00:54:16 “Honestly, this was probably my best 14. Noah Elliott 00:54:22

48. Courtney Ragan

49. Heather Bilotta teammate and Babson Park neighbor, Rincon, anfrequent Orlandoseizures. native, spent 12 years inwho the Army, her with last station at MacDill 50, Lois Waite also was seekingwas his with third faced Gaspagering Rincon, who alone, likelihood of gering frequent seizures.

Rincon, wholives lives the likelihood of rilla 15K crown.

“I think I did pretty good actually,” said Air losing Force Base.

In 2012 she was medically released after being with with gaslosingher herdriver’s driver’s license when veteran affairs gotdiagnosed her connected license when aaveteran affairs counselor connected with Richmond, 32, a teacher and track/cross 5K MALE country at Lake Wales High. “I just Deathcoach came for 1. Taylor McDowell anorganization organization thathelps helps connectand vetsradiation with Roxie was trained by didn’t haveservice enough left.” trican cancer, and months of surgeries followed. that connect vets with animals. trained by 2. Jonathon Bermudez Colleen Kelly Not that Mott had much more than 3. Bobby Hensley fumes by the time he crossed the finAlexander twice.

Now Southeastern Guideher Dogs toalert alertRincon Rincon when to have a seizure.

Guide Dogs when she’s about seizure.Since Since 4. Josh Keenan ish line near the foot of the Platt Street in turn, began trigTheSoutheastern treatment caused to to develop hypoglycemia, which,

she defies, inspires.

01:09:48 01:09:51 01:09:59

00:15:58 00:16:16 00:16:27 00:16:36

39. Jennifer Delva 40, Taylor Lafferty 41. Julia Schneider 42. Gina McFarland 43. Olivia Wilson 44. Jeanne Lesniak 45. Heather Classe 46. Deborah Van Buskirk 47. Marie-Josee Cardinal 48. Lisa Sandusky 49. Erin Lawson

00:22:30 Hernando 1. GayathriPublix Ramaka Gasparilla 02:18:48 College State 00:22:35 Distance Classic cross country 00:22:35 Half-marathon: 6 coach Jacki 5K MALE 00:22:36 Wachtel a.m. today (starts Platt 00:22:40 UNDER is00:22:43 second M 10 AND Street and Bayshore 00:19:36 overall in 1. Brock Glover Boulevard, Tampa) 00:22:47 57:56 and M 11 TO 14 00:22:48 8K: 9:15 a.m. today also wins her 00:22:48 1. Dylan Nolan (starts Bayshore 00:17:20 35-39 age 00:22:49 M 15 TO 19Boulevard and Verne group.

00:22:49

1. Dylan Branch

00:16:45

TAMPA — Runners in the Publix Gas- her hand after the finish. A few of them shouted a question at A her Saturday parilla Distance Classic know The GasVoice. her hand after the finish. few of them as TAMPA — Runners in the Publix herran hand after the finish.

A few of TAMPA — Runners in back the Publix Gas-shouted they 15K. Year after year, it comes to them a the question at her Saturday as them parilla Distance Classic know The Voice. shouted a question at her Saturday as parilla Distance Classic know The Voice.

“Wasn’t last year your last year?” like home.

They hear her before they see Year after year, it comes back to them they ran the 15K. Last ran year was supposed to be Friend’s her as after they head up back onthey Bayshore they 15K. Year year, it or comes back tosee them “Wasn’t lastthe year your last year?” like home.

They hear her before Gasparilla.

She decided to hang Boulevard.

Theup Voice makes them feel last yearhad your year?” like They hear her before they see final Last“Wasn’t year was supposed tolast be Friend’s her as home. they head or back on Bayshore up Gasparilla. the pom-poms.

Butdecided six weeks before part of something.

The Voice helps take final Last year She washad supposed to Friend’s her as they head up or backthem on Bayshore tobe hang Boulevard.

The Voice makes feel this year’s races, Harmeling and Friend them to the finish line. finalpom-poms.

Gasparilla.But Shesix had decided to hang Boulevard.

The Voice makes them weeks before part of something.

The Voice helps takefeelup the exchanged emails.

It went “You got it!” line.The Voice helps takethis year’s Harmeling andweeks Friendlike them toofthe finish up the races, pom-poms.

But something six before part something. this: “Keep exchanged emails.

It went something likeFriend “You got it!” finishfrom this year’s races, Harmeling and them tobreathing the line.your belly!”

“I miss you emails. already!”

“You can this:exchanged “Keep from your belly!”

It went something like “Youbreathing gotdo it!”this!”

“I miss you, too!”

Meet Jane Friend,from Gasparilla’s beloved “Ithis: miss you already!”

“You can do this!”

“Keep breathing your belly!” thereyou was Friend, back on Baycheerleader.

Friend, a former Tampa disc “I And miss you, too!”

Meet Jane Gasparilla’s beloved “I miss already!”

“You canFriend, do this!” shore. jockey, has become And there was Friend, back on Baycheerleader.

Friend, a former Tampa disc “I miss you, too!”

Meet Jane Friend, Gasparilla’s beloved “She’s the Friend, family,” back Harmeling an icon at Gasparilla, jockey, has becomediscshore.

And part thereofwas on Baycheerleader. Friend, a former Tampa “She’s part ofpeople the family,” Harmeling “Certain are woven into the anthough icon at Gasparilla, shehas has become never said. shore. jockey, “Certain people woven the of though she hasGasparilla, never fabric of the event.

And Janeinto isHarmeling one entered a at single race. said.

“She’s part of are the family,” an icon ofpeople.” the event.people And Jane is one into of the entered a single race. those This weekend marked said.

“Certain are woven though she has neverfabric thoseMaybe people.

This weekend marked it” was event Friend’s life of the 17th year Friend, of the one event.

Andin Jane is one entered a single race. fabric Maybe was one event Friend’s life the heritshe needed to bein involved.

59, 17th has year takenFriend, up her told those people.” to be involved.

This weekend marked her1994, she needed 59, hasnear taken her told In Friend and her silken vocal post the up intersecMaybe it was one event in Friend’s the 17th year Friend, In 1994, andather silkenradio vocalsta-life post the intersecwereFriend working a Tampa tionnear of Bayshore and cords MARTIN her she needed to be involved.

59,ofhas taken up her told at a Tampa radio staBayshore tion.were She working had a successful side business Swann Avenue. and cords MARTIN FENNELLY tion In 1994, Friend and her silken vocal post near the intersechadDJ. a successful side day, business Swann Avenue. as aShe mobile But one rainy her car It takes a village to tion.

FENNELLY mfennelly@ cords were working at a Tampa radio tion of aBayshore and as a mobile DJ. But one rainy day, her car astaIt takes village to MARTIN hydroplaned on Bayshore and hold Gasparilla.

And it struck mfennelly@ tampabay.com hold tion.

She had a successful side business Swann Avenue. onFriend Bayshore and astruck Gasparilla. a FENNELLY takes Friend. And it hydroplaned concrete pole. suffered traumatic tampabay.com as ainjury. mobile DJ.nearly But one rainy day, her car takes a village pole. Friend suffered a traumatic “IItFriend. only know I lovetoconcrete brain She died. mfennelly@ takes hydroplaned on at Bayshore and struck hold Gasparilla.

And itbrain “I only know I love Shelived nearly died. this race,” Friend said.

“Iinjury. probably Tampa General for a tampabay.com takes Friend a traumatic thisHer race,” Friendsystem said.

“Iconcrete probably at Tampa forme. sound on Friend. the side of the eight weeks,pole. ”lived Friend said.suffered “ItGeneral humbled “I only know I love brain injury.

She nearly died.

Her sound system on the side of the eight weeks, ” Friend said.

“It humbled me. road plays the hits, classic oldies. It can’t It made me realize what’s important in road the hits, classic can’t It life. thisplays race,” Friend said. made me realize what’s important in for “I taught probably atofTampa compete with Jane, who oldies. wields It a microIt melived peace mind. General It made compete who on wields microItappreciate taught me”everything peace mind.

It made Her with sound system the aside of thelife. weeks, Friendofsaid.

“Itdo. humbled phone, as if Jane, she really needs one, and meeight we I knowme. phone, aspom-poms, if the she hits, really needs one, appreciate everything we do.

I know in road plays classic oldies.

It she can’tme It made me realize what’s orange the same onesand I appreciate what everyone in important Gasparilla orange pom-poms, the same ones what me everyone compete withevery Jane, who wields a she micro-I appreciate life.” It taught peaceinofGasparilla mind. It made tapes together year.

Friend showed does. tapes together Friend showed ” appreciate phone, as Saturday ifevery she year. really needs one, anddoes.me everything we do. I know up for the races ready to go.

“You’ve got to use the music!” up for the Saturday races ready to go.

“You’ve got to use the music!” orange pom-poms, the same ones she I“You appreciate what everyone Gasparilla She returned to her native Chicago sevcan do it.

You’re near thein finish!”

She returned totoher native sev“You canyou, do it.Tampa You’re near tapes together every year.

Friend does.” eral years ago help careChicago for her showed ailing “I love Bay!”the finish!” eral ago Saturday to also helpnamed care for her ailing love you, Tampa Bay!” upyears for who the races ready to “You’ve got to use thestands music!” mother, is Jane.

But shego. “IThe Voice sometimes on a foot mother, who for is also named Jane.

Butbrings shesev- ladder The “You Voice sometimes stands on a foot comes back Gasparilla.

AndChicago she She returned to her native in can the median.

More often, she do it. You’re near the finish!” comes back for Gasparilla.

And for she her brings thethe median.

More she it.eral She’s hoarse by end. steps“Iin into road with heroften, pom-poms years ago tothe help care ailingladder love you, Tampa Bay!” it. She’s hoarse by the end. roadespecially with her as pom-poms “Jane’s energy is amazing it’sBut conand into microphone, runners mother, who is also namedand Jane. shesteps The the Voice sometimes stands on hit a foot “Jane’s energy is amazing and it’s con- and microphone, especially runners hitno tagious” Gasparilla executive director homein stretch.

There as isMore no script, comes back for Gasparilla.

And she brings theladder the median. often, she tagious” Gasparillasaid. executive director home stretch.

There is Eat no script, no Susan Harmeling “The runners pick the anything, justthe The Voice. yourpom-poms hearts it.

She’s hoarse by the end. steps into road with her Susan said.forward “The runners pick anything, just The Voice.

Eat your cheering hearts it up Harmeling and they look toand it. People out, North Korean Olympics energy amazing it’s con-out, and microphone, especially as runners hit it up“Jane’s and they look is forward to it.

People North Korean Olympics cheering who have been to this race for years and section.

Friend has watched Olym- no tagious” Gasparilla executive the home There the is the noOlymscript, who have been to this race for yearsdirector and section.

Friendstretch. has watched years and years, they know her. They pics and caught the North Koreans.

Not Susan Harmeling said.

“Theher. runners just Voice.

Eat your years and years, they know Theypickpicsanything, and caught theThe North Koreans.

Nothearts know where she’slook going to be, they know impressed. it up and they forward to it.

People out, North Korean Olympics cheering know where she’s going to be, they know impressed. what she’s going to be doing.

She’s going “Too rigid,” Friend said.

“Should cheerwhoshe’s havegoing beentotobethis raceShe’s for years section. the Olymwhat doing. goingand “Too rigid,”Friend Friend has said. watched “Should cheerto haveand pom-poms, she’s going to have a ingpics be rigid?

And they don’t cheer for any-Not years,she’s they know andAnd caught North toyears have pom-poms, going to her. have They a ing be rigid? they the don’t cheerKoreans. for anymicrophone in her going hand. to From the time one else — that’s the killer for me.” know where be,the they knowone impressed. microphone in she’s her hand. From time else — that’s the killer for me.” she “Jane foreveryone,” said longtime sees thefirst first runner until the time she “Jane what she’s going to be doing.

She’s going “Too rigid, ”everyone,” Friend said.

“Should cheershe is isfor said longtime sees the runner until the time she runner Kip Eldridge Tampa, iconanysees thelast last runner,she she does not stop. ” to the have pom-poms, she’s going to”have arunner ing be rigid?

And they don’t cheer for Kip Eldridge of of Tampa, anan icon sees runner, does not stop. himself.

Eldridge, has run GaspaJane’saddiction. addiction.

Eldridge, 68,68, has run in in GaspaJane’s microphone in her hand. From the timehimself. one else — that’s the killer for me.” rilla 15 times and is part a said select club, gotnothing nothing leftatatthe the end,” Friend 15“Jane times part of of a select club, “I“Igot end, ” Friend she isand foris everyone,” longtime sees the firstleft runner until the time sherilla having run at least one marathon 50 said. run atKip least one marathon in in allall 50 said. runner Eldridge of Tampa, an icon sees the last runner, she does not stop.” having states.

He has run all over the world.

Jane Her command post is a quarter mile He hasEldridge, run all over world.

Her command post is a quarter mile states. himself.

68,the has run Jane in GaspaJane’s addiction. thebest, best,hehe said.

“There’s no one fromthe thefinish finishline. line.She Shesaves savesher her best said.

“There’s no one likelike from best forfor is isthe rilla 15 times and is part of a select club, “I got nothing left at the end,” Friend her.

You’re at end and you have nothrunnersstruggling strugglingtotofinish. finish.When Whenher her her.

You’re at thethe and you have nothrunners having run atend least one marathon in all 50 said. ing left.

And then you hear that voice. microphone batteriesdied, died,Friend’s Friend’sbatbat- ing left.

And then you hear that voice. ” ” Jane microphone batteries states.

He has run all over the world.

Her command post is a quarter mile Thebigbigquestion questionfrom fromrunners runners this teriespersisted. persisted.

The teries is the best, he said.

“There’s nothis one like from the finish line. She saves her best weekend: Yes,the theGasparilla Gasparilla organization picksforweekend: Yes, organization picks You’re at theback end next and year?” you have nothrunners struggling to finish.

When her her.

“Are you coming up thecost cost ofFriend’s Friend’s planeticket ticket to “Are you coming back next year?” up the of plane to left. might And then you hear that voice.” microphone batteries died, Friend’s bat- ing Friend finally step away from come down from Chicago.

And, yes, Friend might finally step away from come down from Chicago. And, yes, The big question from runners this teries persisted. themicrophone microphone next year.

She’d like Friend paidfor forher herwork workononthe thecourse. course. the next year.

She’d like to to Friend isispaid weekend: Yes, the Gasparilla organization picks walk the Gasparilla 5K just once.

She But it isn’t about that.

Gasparilla fills But it isn’t about that. Gasparilla fills walk the Gasparilla 5K just once. She hashas “Are youfour coming back next year?”is is up theheart cost as of Friend’s plane ticket tobeen been married four years.

Her husband Friend’s heart aswell wellasasher her seemingly married years.

Her husband Friend’s seemingly Friend might finally step away from come down from Vinny.

Friend has never had children.

She nuclear-powered lungs.Chicago. And, yes,Vinny.

Friend has never had children.

She nuclear-powered lungs. the microphone next year.

She’d like to Friend ishumanity, paid for her worksaid. on the course. disagreed withthat thatlast last statement.

She “It’sthe the humanity, Friend said.

“All with statement.

She “It’s ” ”Friend “All ofof disagreed walk the Gasparilla 5K just once.

She But it isn’t about that.

Gasparilla fills looked up Bayshore, it.

It’s so awesome there are hardly words. at a sea of 5K runit. It’s so awesome there are hardly words. looked up Bayshore, at a sea of 5K run- has been married four years. Her husband is Friend’s heart as well as seeminglyners.

Every yearthere thereare aremore. more.

I her seeeveryone everyone ners.

Every year I see never nuclear-powered lungs. everysize, size,shape, shape,form, form,color, color,age. age.

I just “IVinny.

“I have a family,” she said.had children. She inin every I just have a Friend family, ”has she said. disagreed with that last statement. She the humanity,” tryto“It’s tohelp help them along.”

And has Friend. try them along. ” Friend said. “All of And it it has Friend. it.

It’s so awesome there are hardly words. looked up Bayshore, at a sea of 5K runGasparilla runners appreciate They Gasparilla runners appreciate it.it.They high-five Jane they runpast past her.

They Contact Contact Martin Fennelly mfennelly@ Every year there arerun more.

I see everyone ners. high-five Jane asasthey her.

They Martin Fennelly at at mfennelly@ call outtotosize, her.They Theycome come back shake tampabay.com or (813) 731-8029 inout every shape, form,back color, age.

I justtampabay.com “I have aorfamily,” she said. call her. toto shake (813) 731-8029 try to help them along.”

And it has Friend.

This the This is is the Gasparilla runners appreciate it. They 17th year 17th year high-five Jane as they run past her. They Contact Martin Fennelly at mfennelly@ that Jane Jane call out to her. They come back to shake tampabay.com or (813)that 731-8029 Friend and Friend and her pompoms her pompoms This is the can be can be 17th year

55

won in 15:58.

No doubt Riley, who lives half the year in Tampa Bay Times St. Petersburg and half in Cape Cod, Mass., would be even faster if not for a partial knee-replacement surgery in 2015. The surgery sidelined him for a while and led him to a little more biking and swimming and less running.

“I had to adjust,” said Riley, who is down to about 20 miles running a week and up to about 80 miles biking.

Not thinking about winning turns out to be the winning formula. What’s next? How about June 15 at the annual race in New Hampshire up Mount Washington,

BY SCOTT PURKS was a great day, a beautiful day, and it’s Times Correspondent is 7.6 miles up a tremendously steep incline fun to win. I love runningwhich here (Weitz has previously competed in twotakes Gaspa-competitors about the same amount of TAMPA — Brandon’s Jake Turner and and rilla half-marathons, two 8Ks and one Orlando’s Erica Weitz said they were not to fibut nish as a half-marathon.

15K, always finishing neartime the lead thinking too much about winning Sunnever winning until Sunday).“It’s ” day’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic a challenge,” Riley said. “It’s a great experiTurner said he was thinking “tempo,” 8K. ence.” a day after racing relatively hard in the They said they were thinking more 1,600 meters (winning in 4:27) a high about “pacing.”

It at will be another on a long list of Riley accomschool meet at Wharton.

But at 9:15 a.m. when the horn sound“I really didn’t start plishments, getting seri- which includes around 50 marathons, ed and 4,602 runners took off down ous about running until six lastIronmans summer Bayshore Boulevard, Turner and Weitz and many, many age-group race vic(increasing his mileage to 50-plus miles suddenly found themselves at the front tories. with a week) so I’m really encouraged of their respective genders. how things are progressing,”On Turner, 16, was at the lead with OldssaidSaturday, TurnRiley finished 813th in the 5K, which mar’s 28-year-old Jeremy Richardson, er, who has high school state meet aspiisn’t bad considering he beat 12,383 other particLand O’Lakes’ Lee Rietsma (40) and rations. “Today everything felttoo pretty St. Petersburg’s Cody Angell (35).

LUIS SANTANA | Times good.” ipants, 99 percent of whom were younger than him.

reform.

“We said, ‘You know what, let’s do something.

There willFebruary be thousands of people | Monday, 26, 2018 | 23 here, let’s get people to speak their voices,’ ” said Varsames, who was one of about 50 who showed up in support of the cause. “What was great about it was, we had Democrats here and we had Republicans here. … Honestly I don’t think this is a political issue; I think it’s an American issue.”

Throughout the morning, Varsames said, many

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

2018

It’s all about that pace for 8K champs

With about 1.5 miles to go, Turner took off and left his fellow competitors in his relative dust. Turner, a sophomore at Armwood High, crossed the finish line in 27 minutes, 19 seconds.

A little more than four minutes later, Weitz, 29, won the women’s division in 31:25, almost a minute ahead of the runnerup, 51-year-old Carol Hollenbeck of St. Petersburg.

Afterward, both Turner and Weitz

Erica Weitz, who teaches health and PE at Apopka Wekiva High, wins in 31 minutes, 25 seconds.

focused on perspective.

“This was a great way to get in a good workout,” said Weitz, a health and physical education teacher at Wekiva High in Apopka. “My mile pace today (6:19) was just a couple of seconds faster than the pace I ran at my last marathon. But it

Weitz, who ran for the University of Central Florida, hopes to get her marathon time under two hours, 45 minutes, which would qualify her for the Olympic Trials.

She missed qualifying by just 24 seconds at a marathon in October.

“That was a little frustrating knowing that I came so close,” Weitz said. “But I know I’ll get there. Now I know I can do it. I’ll keep working at it.”

1

Listed participant 90 or older in the 15K: Tampa’s Judith Baizan, w finished in 2:38:57.

13,196

10,471

1978

22

Listed participants in Saturday’s 5K.

Year of the first Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, won in 44:29 by Bill Rodgers.

A familiar voice

BY KELLY PARSONS AND SCOTT PURKS

|

Times Correspondents TAMPA

L

ike many others who travel from far and wide for the Gasparilla Distance Classic, Phil Stewart hops on a plane bound for Tampa every February. Usually, Stewart says, it’s a welcome reprieve from the frigid Washington, D.C. weather.

“It’s always nice to get off the plane in Tampa and feel that nice blast of warm air,” he said.

But for Stewart, the city’s most anticipated running events of the year are a bit of a working vacation.

For the past 36 years, Stewart has been the Gasparilla Distance Classic announcer at the start of all the races, and he welcomes runners across the finish line.

Stewart, 68, has always resided in the D.C. area. In the early 1980s, the former college runner worked at Running Times magazine, and through that, he got to know the organizers of the Gasparilla Distance Classic. He announced his first Gasparilla race in 1983, and every year since — for over half his life — he has kept coming back.

“I just kept raising my hand every February,” Stewart said.

“Everybody’s looking for a way to extend their career. When you can’t do it on running talent anymore, you’ve got to find other ways.”

When he’s not in Tampa, Stewart serves as the race director for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-mile run, a race that attracts 17,000 in the D.C. area every year.

Through the years, Stewart said he’s enjoyed watching the

Distance Classic develop and change. He loves reminiscing about the six world records he’s seen broken on the course, the international fields that have come to town, and the days when big names like Olympian Grete Waitz would come compete in a Gasparilla 15K that was a nationally renowned event.

“The 15K was probably one of the most competitive races in the country,” Stewart recalled. “Then the changes here have sort of mirrored the changes in the run-

ning movement. Now it’s really interesting that the 5K is the biggest event of the weekend.”

Stewart’s days in Tampa each year are usually numbered and always jam packed. He arrived in town Thursday, and after a weekend of early mornings, he’ll head back home Sunday night.

It’s a whirlwind, Stewart said, but one he doesn’t plan on missing any time soon.

“I guess they must like me,” he said. “I always hold the weekend for them.”

2018 Registered Participants continuedPGDC from 1 .

WOMEN

32,150

“I thought with this incredible field it would probably take that (a course record) to win,” Hall said. “I also didn’t know what 90 percent humidity would feel like, so you never know. I think the way we ran it was smart with both of us maximizing our time by running steady.”

Hall used the Gasparilla half-marathon as a tuneup for the Boston Marathon on April 16. She has run in a series of races, from half-marathons to marathons, all while logging 120 miles a week.

Kids 5 years or younger who participated in the 5 or 15K races.

15K MALE LANCE ROTHSTEIN | Special to the Times

Armwood High 16-year-old Jake Turner shows off his medal after winning in 27 minutes, 19 seconds.

Notables • Land O’Lakes 9-year-old Elli Black finished eighth in the 8K women’s division in 34:42.

• Two runners over 50 finished in the top five in the 8K women’s division: St. Petersburg’s Carol Hollenbeck, 51, placed second in 32:22 and Orlando’s Amy Ertel, 50, placed fourth in 33:34.

• Winter Garden’s Jack Ferrell, 10, was the youngest participant in Sunday’s half-marathon, finishing in 2:13.13.

• Tampa’s Ellen Stichter, 83, was the oldest entry LUIS SANTANA | Times in the half-marathon, finishing in 3:40.25.

Kenya native Elkanah Kibet catches his breath after winning the half-marathon in • Tampa’s Kayla Atkinson, 26, finished sixth in 1 hour, 3 minutes, 38 seconds. the half-marathon in 1:23.00 (6:19 mile pace), but she wasn’t necessarily pushing it either. Atkinson, who won here in 2016 in 1:20.45, qualified for the Olympic marathon trials with a time of 2:41.45 continued from 1 on Jan. 15 at the Houston Marathon. Her pace per LUIS SANTANA | Times mile inresident Houston was 6:10.

Tampa Taylor McDowell had a training regimen that included running up to 20 miles

.

MEN

leaders in a competitive field that included per day. It pays off Saturday, as he crosses the 5K finish line first in 15 minutes, 58 seconds.

Haron Lagat, who set a personal half-marathon record (1:01.01) in Houston and former U.S. Marathon champion Tyler Pennel.

Because of the competition, there was a good chance the course record of 1:03.38 set last year

by Christo Landry could be broken.

Stinson was sure of it. In January, he won the Two runners with cross country roots cross the finish first in in the 5K. Naples Daily News Half-Marathon 1:03.34, more than three minutes ahead of his closest

BY KELLY PARSONS University, paced her. it the second mile,” he said. “The competitor.

But that victory came with ideal Times Correspondent “It was flat, which was so middle of the second mile really conditions. nice, except for awas baby TAMPA — The only other hurt. There was no shade.”

On Sunday, the temperature inhill theat It was a drasticmid-60s changebyfrom time Taylor McDowell ran the thethebeginning,” said the time race started — andLydia, was in which who won in 18 minutes, Publix Gasparilla Distance Clas- the kind of weather climbing.

McDowell got his start. sic 5K, he came in ROTHSTEIN 10th place.

25 seconds.

“You said. get nice “It was like a summer day,” Stinson “It LANCE | Special to the Times Hailing from a was military family breeze, and then when you SoTampa’s as thisEllen year’s event 83, neared, brutal.”

Stichter, takes a victory — McDowell’s father, stationed the resident a finish turn, breeze is factors behind While the heat and the the humidity were lap.Tampa She is the oldestcreated entrant to for Base, some is elite theyget proved beneficial Sunday’s half-marathon. cur-runners, training plan, and he stuck to at MacDill Air Force you. You all the heat, all forKorea Kibet. — he the sun.” rently deployed in it. the weather keep on, my it a kid.

AtwarmAnd McDowell, who competed in moved around a lot“Iasthink as thehelped race wore By country the numbers calf loose,” Kibet said. train in Colocompeted cross at the University of 3 years old, McDowell took“Iitslive tolland on her. rado and it was so cold this week, the coldest it Participants over 34running in a 5K called Freeze Your Fanny Chicago, said he began At about the 2-mile mark, been all year. So I didn’t have to worry about years oldfor who finished he won. twice per day a total of 15 to in Oklahoma, andhas Lydia began breaking away it tightening up as I normally would.”

Total participants inmiles. the half-marathon top 10.

His mother has been on the from the rest of the women’s 20 About 8 to 10 miles the race, theof lead in thesidelines event’s watching him compete “He eats me out of house and pack.into Keeping track her pack started dwindling. ever1978. since. home,” his mother, Angie, said. first year, pace, her dad worried that it wasschool, down to awas racetoo between Kibet Stin“He ran through It high On Saturday, that extra fuel fast. In fact,and when she son, a native of Boulder, Colo.

Approximate miles run by all through college,” Angie said. paid off. crossed the finish line, overThey waited for each other to make a move. participants over the weekFor the first mile, McDowell “And now to see him do this is heated and exhausted, she save energy in case end.second-place finisher Jona- really amazing.” Both were trying to and was immediately takensometo the one elsewinner was planning to unleash kickchecked down side, thon Bermudez ran in lockstep. medical tent toa be Entries On in the women’s theLutz stretch.

Lydia Friedman of had her But McDowell, 27, turned it on out.

Total Sunday’s 8K. Stinson surged and surged. Each time, Kibet with about 2 miles to go, creat- dad beside her the entire way.

“She knew those girls were number caught up. ing a big gap onweekend’s his way to win- Friedman, 15, is homeschooled coming, and she was going to of entries in the In the end, Kibet found another gear. country do everything she could. Her ning in a time of 15 minutes, 58 but competes in cross four races.

“I knew Parker would get out front at the and track at Citrus Park Chrisseconds. down secstart of the race, solegs I hadshut to stay withwith him 30 to not Entries in where her dad, tian, Raymond, And really, it was all part of go,”“He said Raymond, get too far behind”onds Kibettosaid. made a real Sunday’s coaches her.

McDowell’s plan.

43.12th mile. I closed the gap, big move around the half-marathon.

Raised for charities since racefirst So as his daughter competed “I wanted to take up the that’s okay. was and he made another“But move.

I waited andDad I went started in 1978. ran at going to be at the finish line to mile comfortably, maybe hang in Saturday, Raymond, for itwho at the end. and La Salle with somebody, then try to push Gaither High School“It pick up his kid.

Always.” all worked out, more so than I could have imagined.”

0

11,476

175,000

4,628

31,618

$5.1 million

5,289

2018 GDCA Charitable Donations

$336,249 56

Listed participants in Saturday’s 15K.

Results

Practice makes perfect

SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times

passing runne group’s effort cheers, with o

By the numbers

Journal Phil Stewart has been announcing the Gasparilla Distance Classic races for 36 years.

Stewart offers everything from race trivia to course specifics to weather updates throughout each race.

A group of a attention to

Veteran distance runner Sara Hall sets the course record in 1 hour, 12 minutes.

Runnerup Stephanie Bruce also tops the time she turned in a year ago as half-marathon

1. Jonathan Mott 2. Austin Richmond 3. Matt Hensley 4. Rafal Matuszczak 5. RJ Dorazil 6. Joseph Weber 7. James Osborne 8. Mitch Arnold 9. Michael Macdonald 10, Brendan Twiggs 11. Kyler Long 12. Tyler Roberts 13. Tyler Blackburn 14. Noah Elliott 15. Roger Sayre 16. Jonathan Burgess 17. Larry Smart 18. Tri Thornhill 19. Chris Hough 20, Davis Bly 21. Brendan Glover 22. James Dooley 23. James Williams 24. Jack Losier 25. Gabriel Lara 26. Nicholas Sowell 27. Steven Wilcox 28. Stone Malick 29. Trevor Kattenberg 30, Nick Morfesi 31. Jason Ford 32. Jeffrey Zickus 33. Lee Stephens 34. Joseph Hegge 35. Paul Nielsen 36. Zach Whitmer 37. Pedro Meraz 38. McCrea Weller 39. Dror Vaknin 40, Chris Petrock 41. Bryan Scott 42. Steve Monks 43. Colton Heath 44. John Robida 45. Jackson Miller 46. Kyle Oakes 47. Tyler Pake 48. Ben Whitmer 49. Eric Oliva 50. Shane Rogers

00:47: 00:47: 00:47 00:48: 00:50: 00:51: 00:51: 00:51: 00:52: 00:52: 00:53: 00:53: 00:54: 00:54: 00:54: 00:54: 00:54: 00:54: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:55: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:56: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:57: 00:58: 00:58:

15K FEMALE 1. Paige Howard 2. Jacki Wachtel 3. Christa Stephens 4. Adrienne Zwijacz 5. Katie Waters 6. Claire Chapman 7. Krystal Cook 8. Jennifer Sober 9. Carley Glasser 10, Yelena Maloney 11. Leandra Osborne 12. Hannah Brickse 13. Michelle Stauffer 14. Brittany Higgins 15. Haley Alam 16. Patty Blanchard 17. Amy Balash 18. Holly Bly 19. Wendy Tocha 20, Linda Hatfield 21. Rachel Dumas 22. Aimee Epps 23. Juanita Chalmers 24. Nicole Hillstrom 25. Melissa Racobaldo 26. Kelli Jaco 27. Joan Bauman 28. Patty Ormsby 29. Kristen Tenaglia 30, Jenelle Glover 31. Jessica Mattox 32. Emily Chamberlin 33. Christina Hart 34. Emily Egan 35. Julie Kenney 36. Bridget Brown 37. Andrea Cassidy 38. Jen Eggleston 39. Meghan Sullivan 40, Ashley Coogle 41. Kate Greenough 42. Heather Dambrosi

00:57 00:57 00:58 01:00 01:00 01:01 01:01 01:02 01:02 01:02 01:02 01:03 01:04 01:04 01:04 01:05 01:05 01:05 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:06 01:07 01:07 01:07 01:07 01:07 01:08 01:08 01:08 01:08 01:08 01:08

LEIGH SPANN

DAVID ESPINOSA-HALL

AVERY COTTON

WAKE UP WITH

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DEANNE KING

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2019

A HOT TROT

Photos by LUIS SANTANA | Times

Chris Balestrini, left, and Becky Dunkel prevail in a Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic that’s anything but balmy and humidity-free. Temps at the start of Saturday’s showcase race were already hovering around 70 degrees. “Last week where I’m from it was zero (degrees) Fahrenheit,” says Ontario’s Balestrini. He later adds that he wanted to see how he’d fare in a hot race. Just fine.

Tampa isn’t quite Canada for snowbird Chris Balestrini, who wins men’s 15K for first time.

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

TAMPA — On a completely apolitical race morning along Bayshore Boulevard, the climate change forecast by Canadian Chris Balestrini was coming to debilitating fruition.

“I’ve been running in snow and ice,” the second-year med student said.

Yet heat and humidity had prevailed as the conditions du jour. Halfway through Saturday’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, the unseasonable February warmth (69 degrees at the starting line) appeared poised to overtake the race’s sleekest snowbird.

But Balestrini, 27, found a second gear — and his first Gasparilla crown.

The aspiring Olympic marathoner began pulling away from a pack of three other runners near Mile 6, then cushioned his lead over the final one-third of the race en route to a victory in 47 minutes, 12 seconds.

“I knew (the other runners) were good, and they’re used to the heat, right?” said Balestrini, who hails from

London, Ontario, and competed at Western University.

“Last week where I’m from it was zero (degrees) Fahrenheit.”

As a non-local resident, Balestrini wasn’t eligible for the $2,000 first-place prize. That went to 28-year-old runnerup Alex Milne of Nokomis, another part of the four-runner lead pack who finished 32 seconds behind Balestrini.

Not that money was an issue for the winner. A second-year med student, Balestrini used Saturday’s race as an intense training run for April’s Rotterdam Marathon, where he’ll try to attain Canada’s qualifying standard (roughly two hours, 16 minutes) for its Olympic team.

Running with his Airbnb key in his right hand, Balestrini — who left his home before dawn Friday and arrived in Tampa late that morning — built an 11-second lead after 3 miles before the others closed in.

He surrendered his lead briefly, though he was still logging a five-min.

MORE INSIDE A run for the ages St. Petersburg’s Betty Ashley is 97 years young and just finished her eighth straight Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K. 2C

Try, try, try again Sickles High grad Jonathon Bermudez had always wanted to win the Gasparilla 5K, yet it always seemed to elude him. Now he can mark it off his bucket list. 11C

On the scene Cookie monsters (really), sweet kisses, alternative ways to cross the finish … there’s always prime people watching every year at the Distance Classic. 12C

Coming Monday Full results from every Distance Classic event in our special section.

See MEN, 2C

COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

Inside58sports

Becky Dunkel is no stranger to the local heat and humidity nor the women’s 15K finish line.

BY JOEY KNIGHT

Times Staff Writer

TAMPA — The last time she triumphantly crossed the finish line of the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K, Becky Dunkel went out fast on a mild morning and won by more than two minutes.

That was three years, a few nagging injuries and one milestone birthday ago.

“I took a lot of time off last year, but it was a good mental break and physical break,” said Dunkel, a newlywed who won the 2016 race as Becky Howarth.

“I started back training in September, and I’ve just been really careful doing all the rehab exercises and feeling really good.”

Her comeback culminated on a toasty Tampa morning when temperatures had reached 69 degrees by the 6:40 start time. Maintaining a pace just below six minutes, Dunkel, 30, earned her second Gasparilla crown, finishing in 55 minutes, 49 seconds.

As a Tampa resident, Dunkel, an actuary, earned the $2,000 first-place prize.

Kristen Tenaglia, a 34-year-old veteran local racer from Seminole, finished second (57:14).

Defending champ Paige Howard and 2018 runnerup Jacki Wachtel, who each have two children (Howard, 31, won last year’s race while two months’ pregnant), finished fifth and fourth, respectively.

“Overall, I’m happy with the run,” said Tampa’s Howard, whose 58:23 finish was 68 seconds off her victorious 2018 time.

“It was very hot and I just didn’t have the kick in me this year. Now I just hope I have enough energy left to chase (2-year-old) Jackson and take care of (5-month-old) Hope.”

A native of Manchester, England, who competed at Butler University in Indianapolis, Dunkel called Saturday’s race weather “brutal.” New Port Richey’s Wachtel, 39, called it “a little warm,” but said the virtual absence of any headwind helped.

“I’ll take it,” Wachtel said.

With Wachtel and Howard among .

See WOMEN, 2C

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS 2C | Sunday, February 24, 2019 | Tampa Bay Times ****

2019

It’s not always a sprint to the finish TAMPA — She did it again.

Big, bad Betty Ashley of St. Petersburg won her age group in the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K on Saturday. She won in a walk.

True, big , bad Betty is roughly 5 feet tall, with silver hair, almonds for eyes and a laugh that m e l t s y o u r MARTIN h e a r t . S h e FENNELLY looks as if she mfennelly@ fell off a charm tampabay.com bracelet.

And it is just as true that Betty is also the only one in her age group, as she has been for the past eight years.

Betty is 97.

Meet the champ.

“Age really is just a number,” she said.

If you want to know what Gasparilla is about, walk with Betty, who is listed as Gasparilla’s “most mature participant.” She’ll bring you to the finish line and teach you something along the way.

She was born in 1921. Her first presidential vote, in 1944, was for Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Betty had eight children, but has outlived three of them. Every time she comes to Gasparilla, it feels like her own private party.

“All these people,” Betty said.

“All shapes and sizes. It’s excitTAILYR IRVINE | Times ing. So many people, and they Betty Ashley, 97, pauses before she crosses the 5K finish line. come from all over.”

This is her eighth straight Gasparilla Distance Classic.

Saturday, that included three of Betty’s children and 10 mem- the best hugger in the world. We before his heart attack 15 years bers of her family, some of whom go to dance at the senior center ago, turned her on to Gasparilla. came from as far away as Alaska and everyone lines up to hug her. They usually do the annual Turto compete in the 5K with her. key Trot in Clearwater, too. Jim Just look at her. She’s cute.”

And it most definitely includes “She is a very special lady,” figures they walk every day anyBetty’s friend, Jim Oakley, whom said Susan, Betty’s oldest child, way, usually at least 2 miles. she describes as her “Man-ager.” who is 70. She competed in the Betty has never looked back.

They’re sort of an item, have 5K, as did her sister Thelma and Gasparilla is better for it. She is been for 10 years. They love brother Carl. They’re all getting one of its pillars. bookstores, coffee shops, travel up there.

“She’s part of |the fabric,” SSB Tampa Bay Times Monday, February 25, said 2019 | 13 and ballroom dancing. Frankly, tell them I’m going to start Gasparilla Distance Classic execPublix Gasparilla Distance “I Classic Betty is a bit of a cradle robber. looking for nursing homes for utive director Susan Harmeling.

Jim is only 74.

“She’s so spry. For me, we want them,” Betty said with a twinkle.

On the scene when to make sure everybody has a “The first time I met her was Betty took up walking at exercise class,” Jim said. “She’s she was 89. Jim, a marathoner good time, from the first person

Oh, the people you will meet

>

DIRK SHADD | Times

Betty Ashley says having something to look forward to and someone to love keeps you young.

DIRK SHADD | Times

Betty Ashley shows off her past swag from the Distance Classic.

She plans to keep adding medals until she’s 100 and beyond.

across the finish line to the last.

But when you get down to it, Betty is an example of how this race impacts everybody, from an infant in a stroller to a 97 year old.”

Betty moved here in 1998 after losing her husband, Heber. She taught first and second graders for 20 years. For a time, she and her family lived above the funeral home they owned. Betty helped with the books, played hymns on the organ at visitations and even drove clients from the hospital morgue in a converted Ford Pinto. But being around all those dearly depart-

eds never gave her pause.

“Oh, I’ve never given it a thought, dying. Why would I?” she said.

Betty has a brother in his 90s and a sister in her late 80s. She still drives (her Florida license describes her as a “safe driver”), owns a cell phone and is forever connecting on Facebook. She had an aunt on her mother’s side who lived to be 106, her Aunt Gertrude, Auntie Gert. Betty wouldn’t mind getting there. Her current plan is to walk Gasparilla in 2022, when she is 100.

“I can only try,” she said.

She eats a vegetable or salad

with every meal. Jim says he has never seen Betty with so much as a cold, though Betty said that years ago she beat breast cancer. She listed her keys to longevity, you know, besides hitting the genetic power ball.

“You have to have something interesting to do, something to look forward to and you have to have somebody to love,” Betty said.

Race workers cheered Betty on after she began her walk in the final wave Saturday morning, the gray wave. Betty walked with her Jim and Jim’s son, Steve, and Steve’s wife, Angelica. At one point, Betty pulled ahead.

“Jim holds me back a little,” she whispered with another twinkle.

Odessa 17-year-old Isabelle Lightwood won the women’s 5K in 18 minutes, 3 seconds. Betty finished in about an hour and a half.

She made the race worth walking. She makes life worth living.

Her family is convinced that if they can hear footsteps up there, Auntie Gert is hearing them.

Betty is just such a sweet little …

I looked up. Betty was 400 feet in front of me, pulling away.

Guess someone had to be the rabbit.

Contact Martin Fennelly at mfennelly@tampabay.com or (813) 731-8029. Follow @mjfennelly.

Marko Cheseto, who lost both legs

WOMEN

continued from 1C those in pursuit, and with husband David (the couple was married July 20) observing as close as possible from his bike, Dunkel managed a dominant — if not brisk — performance.

Her time was 62 seconds slower than her triumphant 2016 effort.

to severe “I think I’m in shape to run in the 54s, but just frostbite, finishes the under 56 is good for today,” said Dunkel, curhalf-marathon in 18th rently training for the Boston Marathon. overall. Just two months “It was hot, and very humid. It was just a case after his amputation, of who could hang on the longest.”

Cheseto was jogging.

Contact Joey Knight at jknight@tampabay.com.

Follow @TBTimes_Bulls.

LUIS SANTANA | Times

Grief turns to triumph these days for double amputee Marko Cheseto.

BY BOB PUTNAM

Times Staff Writer

Photos by SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times

The women of Moms Run This Town take part in Gasparilla weekend, with a whopping twelve running the 15K, 5K, half-marathon and 8K. Front row (left to right): Grace Meeker, 36; Joy Paquette, 40; Stephanie DeMars, 30; Patti Page, 35; Danielle ONeil, 40.

Second row: Jessica Russo, 30; Casey Appleby, 37; Jaime Sharitz, 41; Lea Ann Keller, 44; Katie Pequeno, 35; Anna Schermerhorn, 32. Back row: Nicole Heubusch, 28; Brianna Ward, 39; Marie Staubitz, 44; Ashley Ise, 48; Lauren Fuchsen, 34.

Twelve women in the Riverview chapter of Moms Run This Town complete the Ultra Challenge (that’s all four races if you’re keeping count).

BY SCOTT PURKS

Times Correspondent

TAMPA — They are lawyers, teachers, dental hygienists, artists, computer wizards and so on.

They are also all women.

“No men allowed,” said 34-year-old Lauren Fuchsen, chuckling with several other women.

But seriously, no men allowed.

The name of the club, after all, is Moms Run This Town, with the subtitle, She Runs This Town, because not all of the women are technically moms, unless you include the fact that all of them — as several pointed out — are moms to cats and dogs.

“We welcome newcomers,” said Patti Page, 35.

As long as they want to run.

Run fast? Not necessarily.

It’s far more about running often, running with friends, feeling safe in a group and getting fit in the process, both physically and mentally.

The goals are also pretty great, a fact emphasized this weekend at the Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, where 12 women in the Moms Run This Town group from Riverview ran every race — the 15K and 5K on Saturday, and the half-marathon and 8K on Sunday.

After finishing Saturday, and facing the two races on Sunday, 35-year-old Katie

Katie Pequeno shows off her five medals after completing the weekend’s four races. The fifth medal is given to the Ultra Challenge competitors.

Pequeno said, “With a few miles to go in the 15K and the sun beating down I did think, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’”

Standing next to Pequeno was 41-year-old Jaime Sharitz, who twice before has run all the races on Distance Classic weekend (30.5 total miles). Sharitz was quick with encouragement.

“We will all be fine,” Sharitz said. “We can all do it.”

And they did.

All of them.

On Sunday there was celebration, even a little bit during the races where members

COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

handed out champagne shots four times to the moms running all four races — also known as the Ultra Challenge.

“We drank all of our shots,” Pequeno said.

Afterward, the women said the weekend was tough but fun and rewarding and all the more worth it because they did it as a group, pulling each other along, inspiring each other to meet three times a week at 5 a.m. for runs of 3, 4, 5, maybe even up to 7 miles.

“I would have hit my snooze button and probably would have never done it, but I did because I knew my friends were waiting for me out there,” Pequeno said. “Being a group, a team, is what makes it happen.”

Inspiration?

How about 40-year-old Joy Paquette, who overcame breast cancer and ran the Ultra Challenge. Or Stephanie DeMars, 30, who before a few years ago had never run at all, but this year, largely because of “Moms Run This Town,” ran three marathons and the Ultra Challenge. Or how about Pequeno, who trained during her pregnancy, gave birth a year ago, came back to train with her group, and ran the Ultra Challenge.

Next week the group from Riverview, much like other Moms Run This Town chapters around the country, will meet again and run again and set new goals again.

“And feel good about doing it,” DeMars said. “Because we’re doing it together.”Read more:

Keeping an eye on every detail, Chris Tatreau, 72, has erected the start and finish lines at the Gasparilla Distance Classic for 38 years.

TAMPA — Marko Cheseto is a former University of Alaska Anchorage standout who is just as talented as any distance runner.

He showed that Sunday by finishing the men’s half-marathon at the Gasparilla Distance Classic in one hour, 20.23 minutes, good for 18th overall.

As Cheseto sprinted the final 50 meters, his name was called out by the public announcer. A loud roar greeted the double amputee as he came across the finish line.

“I thought I did well,” said Cheseto, who uses a pair of running blades for races. “I was going for a 1:14, but there was so much humidity. I was pushing myself as hard as a I could, but it was hard.”

Eight years have passed since the incident that should have killed Cheseto, but instead left him with both legs amputated and seemingly no future competing against ablebodied athletes.

In 2011, Cheseto’s cousin committed suicide. The two were teammates who specialized in distance events at Alaska Anchorage.

Cheseto, 35, was the one who convinced his cousin to leave their homeland in Kenya to join him in college.

Grief-stricken, Cheseto overdosed on pain medication during a run and passed out.

He woke up three days later, his shoes frozen to feet.

Cheseto found the wherewithal to make it to a hotel

lobby. His hands were swollen.

His legs were numb.

The frostbite was too severe.

Cheseto’s legs could not be saved.

“I’m surprised, in a good way, that I didn’t lose anything else,” he said.

The running blades Cheseto wears are a reminder of a small miracle.

Yet he pays no attention.

He keeps running.

It was a gradual process.

Cheseto started jogging two months after his amputation.

He began running in 2013, then added races soon after.

Cheseto moved to Groveland in June of last year so he could work at Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates. He typically trains for big races in the morning.

In November, Cheseto ran in the New York City Marathon.

He finished in two hours, 52.33 minutes, roughly 10 minutes from setting the world record for a double leg amputee.

Sunday was the first time he participated in the Gasparilla Distance Classic.

“There’s no such thing as perfect conditions,” Cheseto said. “The weather made it tough, but I’m not going to use that as an excuse. I just can’t do that. You have to keep pushing.”

Cheseto’s next race will be the Boston Marathon.

“I want to run a sub-2:40 in Boston,” Cheseto said. “I’m always looking for new challenges.”

Contact Bob Putnam at bputnam@tampabay.com.

Follow @BobbyHomeTeam.

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Bob Buckhorn crossed the Finish Line for the last time as Mayor of the City of Tampa. In his eight years as Mayor, he didn’t miss one Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Race Weekend.

CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2019

When it comes to scenic races, it’s hard to beat the run along Bayshore Boulevard for the Gasparilla Distance Classic weekend.

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Tampa Bay Times SSB

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic

12C

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A run with a view LUIS SANTANA | TIMES TAILYR IRVINE | Times

LUIS SANTANA | Times

LUIS SANTANA | Times

TOP Only masked men capable of great feats can run all four races on Distance Classic weekend. So it’s no surprise that Tampa’s Jake Rankinen (is that an alter ego?) finishes the Ultra Challenge.

Photos by TAILYR IRVINE | Times

MIDDLE LEFT Arizona training teammates Aliphine Tuliamuk, left, and Scott Fauble congratulate each other for coming in first in their divisions of the half-marathon.

MIDDLE RIGHT Oldsmar’s Jeremy Richardson gives a little extra at the finish line of the 8K as the men’s runnerup.

BOTTOM Points for style and coordination as Natalie Dyrli and Jessica Campbell chest bump upon finishing the half-marathon.

TOP

2019 Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic Registered Participants

30,729

2019 GDCA Charitable Donations

Here’s hoping that plenty of nomnoms awaited, from left, Jamie Heuer, a man listed only a s C o o k i e Mo n ster (seriously) and Paul Kurtz at the 15K finish.

TAILYR IRVINE | Times

MIDDLE LEFT Spring Hill ’s Clifton C. Griffiths kisses wife Althea after they complete the 5K together, side by side.

$315,104 MIDDLE RIGHT

Points for creativity go to Tampa’s Shirley Rincon as she cartwheels across the 15K finish.

BOTTOM Jacob Leigh, 11, of Palm Harbor, holds a “power up” sign to encourage runners and give them an extra shot of adrenaline on Saturday.

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

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CREATING A BETTER TOMORROW FOR THE YOUTH OF TAMPA BAY FOR OVER 44 YEARS

2020 COURTESY OF TAMPA BAY TIMES

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PRESENTING SPONSORS

OFFICIAL SPONSORS

Gasparilla Distance Classic Association Board Members Jeff Downey–President Linda Thorp–Vice President Fred Dorsey–Treasurer Lisa Bryant–Secretary Candi Ashley Cyril Madukanya Jeff Lessie Jennie Yingling Joan Labadie Louis Rosario Maria Anderson Mary Pulaski Tim Popp

Organizing Committee Members Alice Reed Ann Burr Bill Orr Bob Hearn Brenda Mcgehee Bridget Cunningham Chris Sofarelli Cindy Sofarelli David Thorpe Diane Franke Greg Williams Jack Sheppard Joe Fuller John Brandow Judi Gurrieri Judy Henry Karen Matteson Keneisha Nudd Leslie Gerlach

Leslie Stallings Lois Waite Maureen Chiodini Megan Ditizio Michael D’Imperio Michael Pennington Michelle Lord Mickey Liera Miranda Lessie Morgan Pappas Natalie Hutchings Rick Cervis Ricky Gallon Sheila Scott Stacy Wrenn Wayne Papy

Gasparilla Distance Classic Association Full Time & Seasonal Staff Arlene Raino Ashley Kincaid Gary Moses Keara Mcgraw Kitty Lyons Linda Carlo Mary Gramer Stacy Hunt Susan Harmeling

A Special Thanks To Our Supporters C3 Media Clearchannel Outdoor Exact Marketing Frame Factory Image360 Designs Mgn Promotions

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Race Roster Red Rhino Sgs Designs Shaw Design Tatreau Consulting

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PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2O21 PUBLIX SUPER MARKET

GASPARILLA DISTANCE CLASSIC RACE WEEKEND

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