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Running Journal • March, 2016
37
Runners from Eight States Visit Salisbury -- Women’s Course Record Still Intact By David Freeze SALISBURY, NC - With runners in town from eight states and as far away as New York and Florida, the 33rd Annual Novant Health Winter Flight 8K, Health Walk 5K and Fun Run all hit the pavement on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 31. While there was great expectation of a fast women’s field possibly challenging the female course record, warm temperatures and headwinds on the last half of the course took their toll. The warm temperatures were an exact opposite of the cold and snowy weather of the previous weekend. All events were started and finished at Catawba College. The 2016 version of Winter Flight was part of the Running Journal Grand Prix and was the Road Runners Club of America 8K North Carolina Championship. Grace Kahura, originally from Kenya and now living in Katone, NY, went out hard while chasing the existing record of 26 minutes and 48 seconds set by Olympian Joan Nesbitt in 1992. Kahura said, “I wanted to average three-minute kilometers and was on pace till somewhere between miles two and three. The hills on the course were tough and I knew that I wouldn’t break the record. I was just glad to come to Salisbury and meet so many nice people. I would love to come back and challenge the course again. Andris Goncarovs was the overall winner with a time of 26 minutes and 50 seconds. He was followed by last year’s Running Journal Grand Prix Champion Matt Longworth in second with a time of 27:26 and Catawba College cross country coach Jason Bryan in 28:36. Andris Goncarovs Kahura paced the women with a time of 28 minutes and 57 seconds, with Natalie Lawrence clocking 29:46 to take second and perennial winner Molly Nunn taking third in 30:33. Nunn said, The heat and wind made it a tough day for me. However, I am grateful to have been able to take part even though it was a challenge. Tom McCormack of Jonesborough, TN, had possibly the best race of the day with his 30:12 to take the top grandmaster’s spot as a 62 year old. Mav Spears won the half mile fun run by less than a quarter second over Grace Eppehimer. Both ran 3:21 and a fraction. Chris Smith, defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars was the official starter and Neal Wilkinson offered his spectacular version of the National Anthem just before the 8K race. Sponsors for the event in addition to Novant Health were the City of Salisbury, Catawba College, the Trophy House, Fowler Physical Therapy, Ralph Baker Shoes, Vac and Dash of Albemarle, Ameriprise Financial Mike Wright, the Forum, Bradshaw Financial Planning, Brent Parks, CPA, David Post Law, Community Grocery of Cleveland, Civitan Club of Salisbury, the Salisbury Post, Whimziggy, Cleveland Drug, Dr. Acquawon Stallworth, F&M Bank, Cheerwine and Koontz and Smith, Attorneys at Law. Salisbury Rowan Runners Vice President Steve Clark said, “This is truly a community effort to provide a top flight event and to raise the proceeds for Rowan Helping Ministries. Thanks to our fantastic sponsors and all the volunteers and I am sure glad that we didn’t have this race during the ice and snow of last weekend. Complete results are at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org
Male,Overall Andris Goncarovs 26:50, Matt Longworth 27:26, Jason Bryan 28:36. Masters Guillermo Razo Contreras 29:53. Grandmasters Tom McCormack 30:12. Senior Grandmasters Finn Hassing 36:17. 14-under Avery Kraft 34:19, Tristan Kraft 39:37, Alex Stewart 44:09. 20-24 Frank Hargrave 40:26, Brandon Campbell 1:01:34. 25-29 Joshua Readling 31:54, Lamarr Blocker 31:59, Thomas Currin 35:14. 30-34 Joshua Harrell 34:21, Steven Stamper 34:24, Graham Corriher 36:14. 35-39 Robert Youtz 29:29, Phillip Summers 32:35, Stu Stepp 34:48. 40-44 Jon McQueen 36:44, Bruce Beck
Tom McCormack
Start of the 1/2 mile fun run 37:48, Chris Elliott 40:12. 45-49 Howard Kraft 32:53, Richard Ellis 34:37, Andy Abramson 36:14. 5054 Joseph Willis 31:41, Bill Johncock 32:41, Bobby Aswell 33:24. 55-59 Allen Walker 38:11, Sam Baucom 38:22, Benjamin Zachary 38:29. 60-64 Bob Nelson 38:38, Steve Staley 42:38, Daryl Riddle 44:30. 65-69 JB Tillery 42:14, Steve Austin 43:32, Wade Doggett 56:01. 70-74 Wade Clark 38:31, Dave Salmon 45:10, Jim Owens 46:13. 75-79 A.T. Smith 57:04. 80-over George Kimberly 1:08:24, Byron Logan 1:27:55. Female, Overall Grace Kahura 28:57, Natalie Lawrence 29:46, Molly Nunn 30:33. Masters Carolyn Bachl Stewart 33:22. Grandmasters Laurie Ward 41:17. Senior Grandmasters Elizabeth Kimberly 51:50. 14-under Bailey Reutinger 36:19, Kate Carter 53:33, Vivian Cline 1:06:48. 15-19 Morgan Staley 38:16. 2024 Tori Pierce 41:33, Abby Peoples 52:15. 25-29
Natalie Lawrence Maleah Pinyan 34:20, Lauren Polselli 41:38, Leslie Robertson 44:21. 30-34 Candace Harrison 32:38, Florelay Brown 38:21, Carolyn Green 39:07. 35-39 Karla Steedley 37:01, Melissa Chamra 41:47, Gena Lyerly 45:07. 40-44 Kelly Lowman 34:48, Ana Reutinger 37:23, Jennifer Curtin 37:37. 45-49 Acquawon Stallworth 38:11, Suzanne Burgess 44:02, Carol Dunn 45:20. 50-54 Charlotte Matheny 48:36, Susan Burrell 53:34, Tammie Gillespie 59:41. 55-59 Val Velte 48:04, Sharon Earnhardt 57:34, Angela Graham 1:08:40. 60-64 Barbara Jensen 56:19, Kathi Peterson 59:46, Jeanette Krunich 1:02:44. 6569 Diana Dagenhart 1:07:02. 70-74 Betty Burrell 56:23.
Matt Longworth
All photos by Aaron Cress