Monday, February 22, 2016
COOL DOWN Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic
ASPHALT ABSOLUTION
ZACK WITTMAN | Times
Babson Park’s Austin Richmond, who wasn’t happy with Saturday’s runnerup finish in the 15K, is ecstatic as he crosses the Publix Gasparilla Distance Class half-marathon finish line in first place.
15K futility is forgotten for Austin Richmond.
Kayla Atkinson easily bests last year’s seventhplace finish.
BY TERRY TOMALIN
BY TERRY TOMALIN
TAMPA — Austin (A.J.) Richmond woke up early Sunday morning, stretched his legs and went back to bed. The 30-yearold had run a hard 15K at Saturday’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic, but still had one race to go. “After Saturday’s race, I made sure that I cooled down, drank a protein shake and massaged my leg muscles,” said Richmond, who ended up with a disappointing second-place finish in the 15K. “But when I woke I still felt a little stiff.” Richmond, who ran cross country for Webber International University, jogged through his normally brisk warmup, then headed to the starting line. “I figured I would just go out and see what I can do,” he said. “All you can do is run your race.” Halfway through Sunday’s half-marathon, it looked like Richmond would have to settle for third, as he trailed Brian Atkinson and Argeo Cruz by more than 20 seconds. Then Richmond picked up the pace. He picked off Cruz, an assistant cross country coach at Florida Gulf Coast University, then
TAMPA — As Kayla Atkinson neared the turnaround point in Sunday’s Publix Gasparilla Distance Classic half-marathon, she looked across Bayshore Boulevard hoping to catch a glimpse of her husband, Brian, battling it out with two other runners. “I had been trying to find him for a while,” said Atkinson, who ran for Duke University. “Then once I saw him out front, I got back to my own race.” Atkinson, who went to high school in Indiana, was hoping to set a personal record. She placed seventh at last year’s event. “This was my redemption race,” said the 24-year-old. “I really wanted to do better than last year.” The four-time Florida state champion led the women’s field right from the start, averaging 6:09 per mile, for a winning time of 1:20:45. “The last 2 miles were really hard,” said Atkinson, now a graduate student at USF. “But I tried to just stay focused, and I am happy with the result.” Atkinson’s nearest challenger, Rachel Corigliano, finished nearly three minutes behind with a time of 1:23:40.
Times Outdoors Editor
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See MEN’S, 24X
Times Outdoors Editor
ZACK WITTMAN | Times
USF grad student Kayla Atkinson finds few challengers in the half-marathon, finishing almost three minutes ahead of the field.
Complete results
A nice pay day
Extra gear in the 8K
More photos
Want to know how you compared to other runners? We’ve got all times from the weekend. 2-22X
Grad students aren’t always flush with cash, so one couple’s success nets a little green. Story, 24X
Even at less-than-peak conditioning, Chad Zagacki and Stephanie Pezzullo prevail. Story, 23X
There’s no lack of photo ops during the two-day Distance Classic. View at tampabay.com/sports.
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See WOMEN’S, 24X