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Joyce ran 5:55 Sunday and is satisfied. Attempted a 5:30 pace, but the hills were unreal (had not remembered how bad they were from 2006!) and she had a couple of physical problems. She did win AG 70-79. I ran 29:05 and got a 2nd AG (third place was 9 seconds back!). Most times were slower than what would be normal for a marathon and 5K, reflecting the tough course. The 5K had not a single flat spot until you entered Neyland Stadium!!! Jim and Joyce ran the Sidney Lanier Bridge Run on 2/16/08. Jim's time was a little over 30 minutes, good enough for a 4th place age group finish. Joyce's time was just over 38 minutes which was first in her age group. Report from Jim Hite I did Powerman in 4:19:31, official time! 3rd AG, but the two guys ahead
really dusted me! - was the oldest, again! Hill grades were painted on the
run course, and all hills were from 8% to 17%; on the bike, it was the same
and worsek!! This is the toughest DU course there is, according to those who
were there. The guy who won the world races we went to in both Switzerland
and Belgium won overall - he went by me when I was going arud 18-20 mph like
I was still trying to get on my bike!! It was a two-lap bike course, and
Joyce said several dropped out after the first loop. Five members of the Millen Milers competed in the Peanut Festival 5K last Saturday. All five members brought home a trophy. The group was led by Rick Umpleby in a time of 24:32 and a 1st place age group finish; Mike McGrath finished second in his age group in a time of 25:27; Jim Hite's time of 29:10 earned him a 3rd place age group trophy; Ray Miller was 2nd in his age group in 31:27; and Joyce Hodges-Hite won her age group in a time of 36:37. Jason Jenkins and Ray Miller competed in the Beach Bum Triathlon on Hilton Head on July 7th. The race was a 500 meter swim, a 6 mile bike ride on the beach and a 3 mile run also on the beach. Jason's time was 1:16:26, Ray's time was 1:26:08. The event was very low key and a fun event for everyone involved. The ride on the beach was a bit of a challenge, but we both had a lot of fun!!!! Race report from Jim Hite. Joyce ran a 2:10:08 at Bell Buckle (RC/Moon Pie 10 miler) on Saturday, about a minute per mile slower than last year. Hilly course, perfect day and cool temps (for this time of year). She did win her age group, however. The course is a loop course on rural roads, little traffic. Had about 890 runners, so it's a big deal. Bell Buckle has a pop. of 405! The duathlon (2 mile/11.5 mile/2 mile) was on Sunday morning along the Cumberland River just north of downtown Nashville around a business park and path that was on top of a levee. Runs were out/back on the road, bike a double loop on road and levee. Both were flat except for getting up on and getting off levee. Not sure of distance accuracy and they did not use chip timing, so I don't know what I ran for the runs, how long transitions took, nor about the bike, except my speedometer showed I did the bike in 18.0 mph avg. The bike went well; passed about two dozen other riders over the 11 miles. Got first AG. Once again, Joyce and I were the oldest in each race. A group of students from Jenkins County Elementary School and Jenkins County High School competed in the Trees to Seas Cross Country Race on Skidaway Island on May 19th. The race serves as a reward for those students who trained and participated in Super Eagle Day in Millen. The entry fees and lunch was paid for from the Super Eagle Day proceeds. In the 1/2 Mile Challenge, Will Dasher and Jakovia Williams both finished 2nd in their age group, and Robin Boone finished 3rd in her age group. Frank and Jordan Hagin also participated in the 1/2 Mile Challenge. In the 5K Trail Run, James Bramblett won the 15 - 19 age group in a time of 19:22; Brandon Wade finished 3rd in that age group in 20:43. CC Coach Jimmy Brannen finished 3rd in his age group in 22:31; Toby Davis was 1st in his age group in 25:18; Tyler Taylor's time of 28:55 was good enough for 2nd in his age group; Bowden James' time was 30:16, he was 2nd in has age group; Ray Miller's time of 32:07 was third in his age group. Anthony Coggins, Coley Clifton, Mark Brannen and Head JCHS Cross Country Coach Bobby James also competed in the 5K Race. Special thanks to Ms. Jessica Reese, Ms. Melissa Cobb, Ms. Donna Boone, Ms. Kim Dasher and Mr. & Mrs. Taylor for going to the race and cheering us on!!!! Jim Hite reports that the Cloverleaf Duathlon consisted of a 2 mile run/10 mile bike ride/2 mile run. The course was hilly and the morning was very cold, 38 degrees. Jim's total time was 1:26:04, which earned him a 2nd place in the 60 and over age group.
Six year old Bowden James led his daddy Bobby from wire to wire and came away with the 1st place age award in Saturday's NIRSA 5K. The temperature in the high 20's did not slow Bowden in his first 5K. His time was 28:53 while Bobby finished in 28:54, which was good enough for 1st place in his age group. Ray Miller's time was just over 34 minutes, good enough for 2nd place in his age group. Jim reports that he and Joyce braved the cold windy conditions on Tybee Island last Saturday for the half marathon and 5K. Joyce's time for the half was 2:18, Jim's time in the 5K was 28:15. Both performances earned Joyce and Jim 1st place age group awards! Jim and Joyce participated in the Callaway Gardens Half Marathon and 5K on January 27. Joyce's time in the half marathon was 2:44:04, Jim's 5K time was 28:16. NOTE: Jim Hite brought this information back from the USATF Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. The Millen Milers and friends of the Millen Milers would like to congratulate Dr. Martin for this honor! INDIANAPOLIS - Legendary expert on long distance running Dr. David Martin on Saturday was honored with USA Track & Field's Giegengack Award at the Jesse Owens Awards and National Track & Field Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Indianapolis. The event was held in conjunction with the 2006 USATF Annual Meeting. Named in honor of former Yale University coach and 1964 Olympic Team head coach Robert Giegengack, the award goes to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development and success of USA Track & Field and the larger community of the sport. In the past, the award has gone to coaches, officials, Association leaders, administrators, and others form all segments of USATF. The USATF Board of Directors votes to select each year's winner. A Regents Professor Emeritus at Georgia State University's Division of Respiratory Therapy in the School of Allied Health Sciences, Martin was one of the exercise physiologists responsible for assisting Team USA marathoners Deena Kastor and Meb Keflezighi on to the medal podium at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games by sharing his research on ways to train and race in hot weather with their personal coaches. His research also has focused on altitude training and on the physiological effects of traveling before major competitions. Recognized as one of the world's leading experts in long distance running, Martin has published more than 50 articles in coaching journals intended to assist coaches and athletes understand the science of human athletic performance. He has served as personal coach/advisor to several successful distance runners, and has had five books published: The Olympic Marathon (2000), The Marathon Footrace (1979), Training Distance Runners (1991), Better Training for Distance Runners (1997) and The High Jump Book (1987). A five-time men's senior team leader for Team USA at World Cross Country Championships, Dr. Martin last served in that capacity in 2006 A number of local runners competed in the Jingle Bell Races last night in Statesboro. Christmas was in the air as 130 runners set out on a chilly twilight tour of "The Boro". Here are some names of Millen Milers and some friends of the Millen Milers and their results. By the way, Orinthal Striggles won the 5K race in a nifty time of 15:37.9. WOW!!! Results from the 5K are: Danny Gleason, 16th (Age Group - 4th), 20:51 Anthony Coggins, 27th, (AG - 8th) 22:47 Toby Davis, 36th (AG- 2nd), 23:51 Jimmy Brannen, 39th (AG - 4th), 24:07 Tyler Taylor, 43rd (AG - 4th), 24:13 Matt Aycock, 58th (AG - 6th), 26:00 Ali Davis, 66th (AG - 3rd),26:45 Debbie Gleason, 74th (AG - 1st), 27:48 Andi Johnson, 76th (AG - 3rd), 27:53 Wendell Clark, 77th (AG - 9th), 27:55 Eddie Shelton, 78th (AG - 3rd), 27:57 Theresa Proctor, 79th (AG - 2nd), 28:02 Jim Hite, 81st (AG - 1st), 28:34 Joni Aycock, 93rd (AG - 3rd), 30:34 Ray Miller, (FINALLY) 96th (AG - 3rd) 30:47 What a great night! The folks in Statesboro really outdid themselves again this year. As we waited for the start, I made my way up near the front to say hello to the pre-race favorites. I saw Danny and Debbie talking to Jim and Joyce, I found a few of our students. Ali, Anthony and Tyler. I saw my friend Alex ( from Alex, Jordan and Bubbles fame) along with his dad Rob and his mom Chui. Eddie was signing up when I arrived, and JCHS Coach Wendell Clark was warming up on a side street. Jimmy was near the finish line of the 1 Mile Fun Run where he was cheering for Mark and Alyssa. I said hello to Andi and Theresa and reminded Theresa that I still had her trophy from the last race at GSU. Then it was time to get serious.....RACE TIME!!!!! The race started going downhill along East Main street. As the race started, I was leading Debbie Gleason for about 6 steps. She was laughing and joking and introducing everyone to everyone else. Is there anyone who runs in Statesboro that Debbie does not know? After about 7 steps, I found myself in my familiar surroundings.........near the back. Toby Davis dressed as an Elf was long gone, so was the guy pulling a wagon filled with toys. The strollers were next to leave me behind, but not to worry.....it's Christmas and I was enjoying my tour! We made several turns....all uphill I might add.....by now it was getting dark, but thanks to the Statesboro Police Department and the many volunteers, every intersection was well patrolled. The home stretch along the Linear Park was a great finishing touch, but if you leave the starting line going downhill....guess what? The finish line is uphill!!! I think there were about 9 or 10 people from Millen in the race. After I finished, I mentioned to Eddie Shelton that I wanted to wait a few mintues and cheer for the rest of the Millen runners, Eddie informed me that I could go ahead and fill out my card, I WAS the last Millen runner. Oh yeah, just wait until next year! I know all of my friends really had a great time, and I really can't wait until next year. If you haven't taken the time to Tour The Boro in the twilight, come on down and join us next year. You'll be glad you did! WELL DONE DEBORAH CARICO AND OUR FRIENDS FROM THE STATESBORO PACERS!!!!! Savannah River Bridge Run 5K, Savannah, GA; December 2, 2006Eddie Shelton, Ray Miller, Brandon Wade and Tyler Taylor tackled the Savannah River Bridge Run on December 2nd. There were 1,338 finishers in the 5K. Brandon was 38th overall in a time of 21:10; Tyler finished 126th in 23:56; Eddie finished 473rd overall in 28:53; and Ray was number 671 in a time of 31:34. The runners had a great time and reported that the course is very scenic. The only compliant was from Eddie who noted that there is one pretty tough hill in the 5K. Philadelphia 8K, Philadelphia, PA; November 19, 2006Jim repots that he got 2nd in the 70 - 74 age group in the Philadelphia 8K last week. His 8K time was 47:58. RRCA Delaware Open Cross Country Meet; November 23, 2006; Felton, DelawareJim Hite reports that he finished 3rd in the 60 and over age group in the Delaware Open Cross Country Meet. Nice course in Killen's Pond State Park, hilly but not as tough as ours (Magnolia Springs)> Some roots, NONE PAINTED!!! The course is used by the area high schools and colleges. Jim's time was 28:59. Stone Mountain 5 & 10 Mile Race, Stone Mountain, GA; November 3, 2006Jim and Joyce made the trip to a cold Stone Mountain last Saturday for the 5 and 10 mile races around the mountain. Jim finished the 5 mile lap in 48:58, 3rd in his age group. Joyce finished the 10 mile race in around 1:55 and she was 2nd in her age group. Southern Sprint For Wellness, Statesboro (GSU) GA; October 21, 2006At total of eight runners from Millen competed in the Southern Sprint for Wellness on the campus of Georgia Southern on October 21. Randy Brannen (21:07) placed 1st in his age group; Ali Davis (22:39) placed 1st in her age group; Tyler Taylor (23:32) was 1st in his age group; Eddie Shelton's time of 27:15 was good enough for 3rd in his age group; Theresa Proctor (27:46) finished 2nd in her age group; Mark Brannen, in his first 5K, finished the course in 30:21 which placed him 1st in his age group; Jimmy Brannen, who ran with son Mark finished the course in 30:22. But believe me Jimmy, finishing that race with Mark is much more rewarding that some trophy! And finally, Ray Miller's time of 31:14 was good enough for 1st place in my age group. Hey, I can't help it if those other 55 - 59 year old dudes decided to sleep in yesterday morning!!!! As usual, the folks at Georgia Southern really put on a fun event and we enjoyed the morning tremendously!!! Apple Festival 5K; Ellijay, GA; October 14Jim Hite won his age group in the Apple Festival 5K last Saturday in Ellijay, Georgia. This is the USATF Masters 5K Road Championship. Jim is the USATF Champion for the 3rd year in a row. His time was 27:54, and Jim reports he was the oldest finisher in the race. Way To Go Jim!!!!! Atomic Duathlon; Oak Ridge/Lenoir City, Tenn; October 7Here is Jim Hite's report from the Atomic Duathlon Race went well. Best ride ever over the toughest bike course ever, with the possible exception of Switzerland. Race information is at www.racedayevents.net , click on Atomic Duathlon. Was about 4th-5th from the back at the end of the first 5K, which had two steep downhills at the start, but you had to go back up at the finish since it was out/back. Passed around a dozen on the bike, which has never happened. And the second 5K was not all that longer than the first, which is also extraordinary. Finished in 2:44:21. Checking last year's results, I set a goal to finish under 3 hours, hoped for 2:55, dreamed of 2:45. Got 2nd in 65+ age group. Don't have the official splits yet, as they are not yet posted as of last evening. Motel hosted a wedding party that reserved over 25 rooms. think they were all on our flooor. Room next door was headquarters! At 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning, the party started and lasted to 3:30. On Sunday morning, it started at 3:30 a.m. and went for an hour or more!! We slept well last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Motel did comp our room with apologies. Weather good. 46 degrees at the start, around 52 at the end. Sunny, but very windy! A guy late for the race came riding up just before 9 a.m. with his bag hanging on his handlebar, it got caught in the front wheel and flipped him over and broke his shoulder. It happened right on the start line, so we were 45 minutes late starting waiting for the ambulance. All in all, a good trip. Note from Ray: Wow Jim......I'm impressed with your time, but I'm even more impressed that you had such a great race...after partying all night with that wedding crowd!!!!! Congratulations! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jaguar Jaunt, Augusta; September 30The following is a race report from Jimmy Brannen. Jimmy teaches at Jenkins County Elementary School and is an assistant coach of the Jenkins County Cross Country Team. Jimmy took a couple of our cross country runners to Augusta last Saturday for the Jaguar Jaunt. My time on Saturday was 22:46; James Bramblett ran a 19:52; I think Anthony Coggins ran a 24:07; my brother ran with us as well and he ran it in just over 27 minutes. James and I were both 4th in our age division...just below the honors bracket. My time improved from 24:08 to 22:46 since the Peanut Festival. I think that is largely due to fairly consistent weekly running and pushing myself more by running with the young bucks from the CC team. I am having a great time working with them. I enjoyed running with my brother for the first time in an official 5K and running with the kids from the CC team. They conducted themselves well and represented Jenkins County well. I was proud of them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dublin Run for Sight; Dublin, September 30.Joyce and Jim competed in the Dublin Run for Sight on September 30. Joyce finished 1st in her age group in the 12K in 1:25:06. Jim won his age group in the 5K with a time of 29:43. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omaha Marathon and 10K; Omaha, Neb.; September 23Joyce and Jim competed in the Omaha Marathon and 10K on September 23. Joyce finished the marathon in 5:51. She was 2nd in the Grand Masters Division. Jim's time in the 10K was 58:25; he finished 1st in his age group! Nike XC Kickoff Classic - 5K, Savannah; August 26Here is Jim's report from the Nike Cross Country Kickoff Classic held last Saturday. We both got first AG; far more all-ages runners than last year, from kids >>to us. Ground was very wet, some muddy, grass just cut - we were a mess >>after! >>Joyce ran 36:28 and I had 29:43. Joyce's time was 5 minutes faster than last >>year when she ran it injured. Peanut Run 5K, Brooklet, August 19, 2006.The Millen Milers and friends made a great showing in the Peanut Run 5K in Brooklet last Saturday morning. Randy Brannen posted a great time of 21:19, which earned him some $$$$ for finishing 3rd in the masters division. Jimmy Brannen (24:08) collected a 3rd place trophy. Kolton Lee finished in 25:42 and was 2nd in his age group. Theresa Proctor's time was 30:00, and she grabbed the 3rd place trophy in her age group. Mike McGrath (24:02), Ray Miller (34:25), and Elaine Brannen (44:22) also finished the 5K course.....we didn't win any trophies, but we got a great looking t-shirt and we had a super morning!!! Thanks Toby and Wayne. If you want to get a different slant from the pack of the pack....read Alex, Jordan and Bubbles. Trees to Seas Trail Run, Skidaway Island, May 20, 2006.A group from Jenkins County Elementary School and Jenkins County High School competed in the Trees to Seas run at the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island on May 20. Bowden James started the morning with a 5th place age group finish in the Sea Snail Sprint. The next race of the morning was a 1/2 Mile Cross Country Challenge. For the girls, Tichina Lovett finished 1st and Tykeesha Anthony finished 2nd overall. In the boys division, Marlo Sapp finished first and Jared Orvin was 3rd overall. The other students who entered the race were: Ta'Juan Austin, Jonathan Brown, Donnie Gay, Wesley Finch, Will finch, Franklin Hagins, Jordon Hagins, D.J. Johnson, Kim Johnson, James Jones, Jonathan Lynch, Kristin McLamb, Tamia Patterson, Jamiah Scott, Zavondric Shingleton, Rasheim Ward, Quinton Watson. There were 159 runners in The 5K Trail Run. The group from Millen included: Brandon Wade (18th overall; 23:56 - 2nd in age group), Jimmy Brannen (19th; 24:08), Rick Pittman (31st; 25:15), Kolton Lee (37th, 25:59 - 2nd in age group), Bobby James (52nd, 26:59), Anthony Coggins (59th, 27:45) and Ray Miller (108th, 33:54 - 2nd in age group). After the races, the students spent the rest of the morning building bird houses and tool boxes. There was also face painting and the group also enjoyed the visit to the UGA Aquarium. The chaperones for the group were Ms. Amy Swan, Ms. Hillary Oliver and Ms. Pat Miller. The Flying Pig 10K, Cincinnati, May 7, 2006.Jim reports on their trip to the midwest. At the Flying Pig 10k, Joyce got first with a 1:09 and change. May seem slow, but there were others in her age group, so not a default win. Course crossed the Ohio River and back. Overall, times were slow, but of course, she was far from satisfied. On May 7, celebrated my 72nd birthday with a rather poor duathlon competition. Finished 6th in AG 70-74, but did qualify for the world champs in July at Corner Brook, Newfoundland. Tough to take after finishing 2nd last year. Like I said before we left, the horses were there!! Felt lousy throughout with stomach cramps; bike teeth were slipping the chain so could not get out of the saddle and could not use the center pedal sprocket. Had two front sprockets and the entire back wheel set replaced the next day! they were in bad shape!! Also, standing at the start line for the first run, heard a tire blow. When i got back, found it was mine. Had forgotten my pump, so had a mechanic pump the tires; put in 120 lbs., I use 100, so!!!!! they had repaired everything by the time I got in (believe me, it was no big rush!) In the bike part, I got detached from others and went by a crossing and heard someone yell; kept going, then turned around for half a mile or more before meeting other competitors; turned around and got back on course; added 1.1 miles!!!!! finished the 5K in bad shape, wanted to just walk in, but the announcer started singing "Happy Birthday" so could not look any worse than I already was!!!!!! We went to the shores of Lake Erie for a couple of days, toured Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, to Toledo to go by my parents and family cemetery, had a hot dog at Tony Packo's (of Klinger and MASH fame and where I ate from the time I was a real kid!), then to Michigan, to Grand Rapids for the 5th/3rd River Bank Runs. Joyce did the 25K, got 7th, 3:02:41. I did the 5K and got 3rd (28:22). Joyce ran another even-paced race, so was satisfied with that. Got to talk with Turena for quite a while after her award ceremony; think she was glad to see someone unexpectedly from Georgia. She said to be remembered to all in Millen and the 'boro. She ran well, as you can see from the other things I emailed. Over 5000 in the 25K, over 4000 in the 5K. Cold front had come through Wednesday and it was a rainy 39 degrees at the start of the race!!. We never did get to feeling warm until we got to Tennessee!! Total mileage was 2514. Grand Rapids was around 900 miles from home. Vidalia Onion Run 10K, Vidalia, GA, April 29, 2006.The following is an email from my friend Jimmy Brannen about this first 10K. By the way.....Jimmy didn't mention.....he was FIRST IN HIS AGE GROUP!!!!! Great run Jimmy!!!! Ray, Hey! Guess what? I ran in my first 10K on Saturday at the Onion Run in Vidalia. I was at the red light about a half a block away when the cannon fired to start the 5K, so I couldn't be officially timed. They let me change my registration to run in the 10K. I didn't really know if I would finish. I just figured I would run to the 5K mark and whatever else I could get. I was kind of like Forest Gump...I kept running and running and running...and eventually I finished. I wound up 39th out of 119 runners in the 10K. I finished in 50:14. I sort of surprised myself. I guess I'll start working on the half-marathon next!(ha!ha!) Hope you have a good day! Jimmy P.S. Thanks for the advice the other day. My blisters are healing...slowly...but surely! MMM Member Rick Umpleby also ran in the 10K. Rick's time was 49:03, that was good enough for first place in his age group. Super Race Rick!!!!Knoxville Marathon and 5K, Knoxville, Tenn., March 18, 2006.Report from Jim Hite. Joyce ran in 5:35:22, 1st AG. Overall men's winner was 2:33 and he was Kenyan and finished several minutes ahead of 2nd place. Women's winner was 3:16. that should tell something about the course!! 660 ran the marathon. Not sure of the half and relay, but think it was more than that.Over 670 ran in the 5K. I finished in 28:24, 2 AG by 40 seconds, 153 overall. Also a killer course. Men's first and second were 17 and change and 18 and change, women's winner was 19 and change; all other times were over 20, which should give some indication!! All races finished in Neyland Stadium on the 509 yard line, so that was a neat touch. Al Toll 5K & 15K, Macon, GA., February 25, 2006Jim and Joyce ran in the Al Toll Road Race in Macon on February 25. Jim reports the weather was a little rough, but not bad enough to deter the Millen Milers. Jim's time in the 5K was 27:30 and that earned him a 1st place age group award. Not to be out done, Joyce won her age group in the 15K with a time of 1:45:43. Sidney Lanier Bridge Run, February 18, 2006Joyce Hodges-Hite and Jim Hite took on "The Toughest Bridge Run in the Southeast" in Brunswick on 2/18/06. Jim won his age group in 30:10, Joyce was 2nd in her age group in 35:13 NIRSA Day 5K, Feburary 18, 2006Bradley Alexander and Toby Davis battled it out on the campus of Georgia Southern in the NIRSA Day 5K on 2/18/06. They both finished in 23:11, and both racked up 3rd place age group awards. Tybee Island 5K and Half Marathon, February 4, 2006Jim Hite won his age group in the 5K, Jim's time was 29:03. David Williams also ran in the 5K, David's time was 21:10. Rick Umpleby, Randy Brannen and Joyce Hodges-Hite finished the half-marathon. Joyce won her age group in the half marathon in a time of 2:32:01. Randy's time was 1:45 and Rick finished the course in 1:56:52. Rick was 7th out of 27 runners in his age group. Daytona 5K; Daytona, Fla., January 28, 2006Andy Carr competed in the Daytona 5K in Daytona, Fla. on January 28th. Andy's time was 21:04 and that was good enough for 7th in his age group. Sounds like there must have been some serious dog scalding at Daytona! Way to go Andy!!!! Fat-Ass 50 North Carolina Version 50 Km and 50 Mile;By Alan Firth, RD; January 21, 2006
There are three main subjects of conversation at this run. The first is the weather, the next is the race and the third is the dogs.
For days before the race, runners anxiously watch the weather forecasts which, to keep them hooked, change every day! Finally, as race day dawns the weather is determined and it starts off as cool, pouring rain. Eleven runners assemble on the RD's front porch and ten hunch their shoulders and move out to the starting line. One gives the weather one last look and returns to his home in Charlotte! Those who braved the soaking start were, in a couple of hours, rewarded with a perfect day for running. Warm, but not too warm, and slightly overcast. In this race, runners can change from one distance to the other so until the 50 Km mark no one knows quite what will happen! Ray Krolewicz led for the first 17 miles but then Tyler Peek, returning after a few years' absence, charged past him on one of the many hills when Ray stopped for aid and Ray was unable to catch him. Tyler blasted to a 4:37:58 50 Km (only 3 minutes shy of the course record) and called it a day. This totally frustrated Bill Keane who had hoped all the guys in front of him were going to do the 50miler as they'd planned. After Tyler stopped, Bill had to be content with second place in his tenth finish at this race. In the 50-miler Ray was the first past 50 Km but Konrad Gannon was only a few minutes back and was able to pass Ray for the win. Konrad finished his first fifty-miler here in 2001 and has now won the race three times. Alex Morton redeemed himself for his DNF in the ice storm last year by finishing the fifty-miler only six weeks after he broke his collarbone when a car knocked him down when he was out bicycling. In the women's race we were privileged to have two first-timers at the distance. Jill Storm ran strongly for nearly the whole distance but ran completely out of gas a couple of miles from the finish but nevertheless bravely completed the course. The other first-timer was Joyce Hodges-Hite who at age 68 finished her first 50-miler! Joyce obviously likes the Fat-Ass 50 because it was here, but on a different course, that she also completed her first 50 Km race 13 years ago! (In that race she won the women's division.) Joyce ran a very well paced race and we were all overjoyed at her success. And what about the dogs? Well, Stokes County has no leash laws so loose dogs are everywhere and not always welcome on the course. Today, however, a lovely little dog named Ginger took a liking to Ray at about Mile 20 and decided to run with him. Ginger was obviously set on going all the way so resisted the temptation to run with Tyler to the 50 Km. She did, however run with Konrad for a while but then fell back to run with Ray again. Ray was concerned for her safety and finally tied her to an old bicycle by the side of the road. However, Ginger got free then ran the rest of the way with Robert Crosby! A very determined run so we credited her with a 50 Km finish! Her owner was quite proud of her accomplishment even when he had to drive 20 miles to retrieve her!
The RD, who had an easier job this year due to the help of some family friends (thank you Timothy and Sharon) thoroughly enjoyed this fourteenth edition of the run - he hopes the runners did too. Fat-Ass 50 North Carolina Version 50 Km and 50 Mile King, NC January 21, 2006 Very hilly country roads 50Km 1 Tyler Peek, 40 - 4: 37: 58 2 Bill Keane, 61 - 5: 29: 16 3 David King, 59 - 5: 41: 35 4 David Wood, 43, SC - 5: 57: 12 Starters: 4 50 Miles 1 Konrad Gannon, 39 - 9: 19: 19 2 Ray Krolewicz, 50, SC - 9: 54: 45 3 Robert Crosby, 47, SC - 9: 59: 17 4 Alex Morton, 56, SC - 11: 52: 18 5 Jill Storm, 42 - 12: 15: 58 6 Joyce Hodges-Hite, 68. GA - 13: 49: 49
A group of Millen Milers took on the Savannah River Bridge Run on December 3rd. Joyce Hodges-Hite finished the 10K in 1:10:48, good enough for 1st place in her age group. Jim Hite, Mike McGraph, Eddie Shelton and Ray Miller decided to take the short route, and joined over 900 runners in the 5K. Mike McGraph finished 32nd overall and 3rd in his age group in a time of 23:45. Eddie Shelton was 136th overall in a time of 27:53. Jim's time was 29:07 which placed him 1st in his age group. Ray's time was 46:34. (Wait until next year...again!!) One of the best performances of the day was turned in by JCHS runner Brandon Wade. Brandon toured the bridge in 20:50 and finished 7th in the field of 901 runners. Brandon's time was good enough for 3rd place in his age group. There were several friends of the Millen Milers who also participated in one of the day's races. In the 10K, SEB's Johnnie Cope was 14th, (35:54), Michelle LeFleur finished 17th (36:05), Angie Fredick's time was 47:04, Micah Ward finished in 1:01:19 and Catherine Ward finished in 1:17:43. Toby Davis (52:53) won 3rd prize for the costume contest by running as a Christmas Tree. In the 5K, Rosa Town finished in 25:52.
MMM members Rob Sharkey (27:39), Eddie Shelton (28:47) and Ray Miller (31:03) competed (?????) well, at least we ran, in the 7th Annual Hoofin' For Habitat 5K on the campus of Georgia Southern. As usual Debbie, Danny and over 60 volunteers put on a perfect event. The weather was great and some of the times were very impressive as well. Debbie was having problems giving away the box full of door prizes. She started out with the old routine...calling out race numbers. When that got a little slow, she really got creative. We're talking youngest finisher, oldest finisher, shortest finisher, tallest finisher, by the end of the drawings she got around to smelliest sneakers. Of course, my favorite was "The Heaviest Finisher" door prize. Thanks to our friends from the Statesboro Pacers and GSU for putting together another top notch event for our running commmunity!
Joyce HOdges-Hite competed in the Peachtree City 15K last Saturday. Jim reports that Joyce's time of 1:54 was good enough for a 2nd place finish in her age group. Way to Go Joyce!
Jim competed in the Powerman Duathlon in Birmingham on April 9th. The race included an 8K run, a 55K bike ride and another 8K run. Jim's time of 4:07:30 won his age group and was about 14 minutes faster than last year's race. In his words, "Fell behind in my AG during the run, which included one of those unscheduled, but absoutely necessary stops at the porta-john (lost about 90 seconds). Bike took 2:17 but I passed the guy in my AG who came in second during the first lap of the bike ride. Second 8K was 55:41. Did better on the transitions, 1:56 on the first, 2:19 on the second. Qualified for the world short course duathlon championships in Newcastle, Australia, but not planning to go. But the win had another perk, complimentary entry into the national short course duathlon championships in Cincinnati on June 12. Short course is 10K/40K/5K." Another great race Jim.......Way To Go!!!!!!
Jim and Joyce traveled to Waycross for the Swamp Run 10K on April 2nd. Jim reports that his time of 61:12 earned him a second place age group award, but Joyce captured the Great Grand Masters trophy in a time of 62:24. To quote Jim, "So again.........she gets the bigger trophy." Way to go Jim and Joyce!!!!!
Winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour and two very difficult hills greeted the runners in Sylvania for the Cow Patty 5K on April 2nd. The conditions were no match for Millen's David Williams and Paul Blackstock. David and Paul finished 1st and 3rd overall in the Cow Patty 5K. David, a member of the JCHS track & field team, finished the course in 17:32. Paul, a seventh grade student at JCMS, had a great time of 21:08. In the ladies division, MMM's Andi Johnson was 2nd overall with time of 23:30. David and Andi have had great success in Millen's Super Eagle Day 5K. Andi has won the female division two years in a row, and David has been the 2nd place overall runner in both the 2004 and 2005 races. In the master's division, MMM's Ray Miller was 2nd overall with time of 27:14. (And yes Eddie, there WAS a 3rd place masters runner.)
Jim completed the Mountain Madness Duathlon in a time of 2:06:53. The temperature was in the 30's and it was windy. Jim commented that the name, Mountain Madness, was very appropriate for this race. The race consisted of a 4 mile run, a 15.8 mile bike ride followed by a 2 mile run Jim was first in his age group, another great race Jim!
Jim completed in the Emerald Nuts 5K last week-end in LA. There were about 1500 runners in the 5K and Jim's time of 27:53 placed him 2nd in his age group. Jim reports some adventures at the awards ceremony, but then he remembered he was in LA LA Land. Great 5K time Jim!
Joyce's time in the Los Angles Marathon was 5:27 (chip time). She finished 4th in her age group. There were over 25,000 marathoners in the race and Joyce finished in the top 9,000. Great Race Joyce!!!
I think Jimmy Buffet said that Island Time Moves Just a Little Bit Slower!!!!!!!!! I couldn't agree
more. I ran the Dolphin Day 10K this morning on St. Simons Island. My time was 1:02:55. That was 2nd in
my age group......and yes Eddie Shelton...there was a 3rd place guy in my age group. But, since I was on Island Time this is the way I have it figured. If Island Time is slower........let's say
about 3 minutes on Island Time = about 2 minutes in Millen time......and I ran a 10K in about 63
minutes on St. Simons.........that would translate into around a 42 minute 10K in Jenkins County. Now
that's why I love the islands!! NOTES FROM THE REAR..... 1. At this morning's race, I ran behind a couple of ladies most of the way. Several times during the
race, the ladies would stop and walk. I thought it was kind of funny that when the girls were walking,
they would stop and look around, when they saw me gaining on them, they started running again. Sidney Lanier Bridge Run 5K; February 19, 2005; Brunswick, Ga.
The 3rd Annual Sidney Lanier Bridge Run was held on a beautiful sunny morning in Brunswick, Georgia. With a slight breeze and the temperature in the 50's, I thought this was going to be my day. My goal is to run this 5K in under 30 minutes. My first two attempts fell woefully short. I clocked a 34:50 in 2003 and 32:33 in 2004. Alas, my time Saturday was 32:19. Only 14 seconds faster than last year. Taking 14 seconds off per year, that means I'll break 30 minutes in the year 2015...BUT I WILL BREAK 30!!!!! A number of Millen Milers and Millen runners competed in the NIRSA 5K on the campus of GSU last Saturday. David Williams was 4th overall and 2nd in his age group in 19:18; Tony Williams' time was 22:59; Mike McGrath placed 3rd in his group with great time of 23:24. Mike assures me that Jose Canseco will not be naming him in his next book. Mike says his secret is oatmeal and the occasional moon pie and RC. Back to the race..Toby Davis won his age group in 23:52; Andi Johnson won her age group in 24:32; Rahn Hutchenson finished 2nd in his age group in 25:10, Theresa Proctor was 2nd in her age group in 27:45. It sounds like they had a great race in Statesboro, as usual. I checked the Statesboro Pacers results page for the times and places. If I missed you, please email me and I'll correct my error. Silver Comet 50K; February 19, 2005; Rockmart, Ga.Joyce completed the Silver Comet 50K in 6:02:59, she was the 4th USATF Woman. This was the USATF Georgia Association Championship. Jim says, "She did good!"
Jim finished 3rd in his age group in the Viking 10K in Rome this week-end. Jim's time was 60:54. Congratulations to all the runners who competed this week-end. We could have stayed home in bed........but we were out there running.Daytona 5K; February 5, 2005; Daytona Beach, Fla.
Andy Carr reports that he ran the Daytona 5K...get this...ON THE DAYTONA 500 RACE TRACK! How cool is that? Andy's time of 21:30 placed him 45th in a field of 750. Great run Andy, and what a place to race!
Joyce Hodges-Hite completed her 100th marathon on Tybee Island Saturday. Her time of 4:53:56
placed her first in her age group. After the race, Joyce's family and her running family gathered in the
Dolphin Room of the Ocean Plaza for a post race celebration. If you were not able to make it down to
Tybee on Saturday, Jim and Joyce would like to invite you to a local celebration on February 13th. If
you need directions to their home, email me or call Jim at (478) 982-4881. Again Joyce, congratulations
for this tremendous accomplishment!!!!!!! The following results are from www.runtybee.com Michelle LaFleur won the 1/2 marathon in a time of 1:19:11; Angie Frederick was 2nd in her age group
in 1:37:50; Danny Gleason finished 3rd in his age group in 1:37:49; Randy Brannen finished the race in
1:41:36. Here are the 5K times for area runners: Tony Williams, 20:38: David Williams, 23:18; John Frazier, 24:55; Rob Sharkey, 26:52;
Jim Hite, 26:59 (2nd in age group); Ray Miller, 29:03; Debbie Gleason, 29:21. I heard one announcement that said there were over 2100 runners in the 3 races. This is really turning
into a great event for our area.
Jim Hite reports that Joyce Hodges-Hite set a new age group record in the Muesum of Aviation 1/2 Marathon on January 15th. Joyce's time of 2:14:23 broke the old 65-69 women's record by around 14 minutes. WAY TO GO JOYCE!!!! It was a little cold, temp. in the upper 30's with winds of 17-20 miles per hour. It sounds like the MMM's had another great day USATF National Masters Cross Country Championships; December 4; Portland, Oregon
Joyce and Jim competed in the National Masters Cross Country Championships on Dec. 4th. In the women's 6K, Joyce finished in 47:58, 4th in her age group. Jim's time in the 10K was 1:08:15, 11th in his age group. It sounds like an exciting and confusing race. You'll have to get Jim to tell you about it.
I'll give credit where credit is due.........the bridge won our encounter this time.....BUT WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR!! Eddie Shelton and I made the trip over the Savannah River Bridge and back on Saturday morning. This was a great course, with the possible exception of the two hills...I mean really big hills. Eddie made it the entire race without walking, I was walking before I got to the 2 mile mark. There were about 850 runners in the 10K. I'm not sure how many there were in the 5K. We saw several of our friends from Statesboro and I tried to pick their times out of the final results and include them here. If I missed anyone, please let me know and I'll certainly get your name in with the results. Everything was well put together and we really had a great time. Make plans to join Eddie and me next year when I plan on running the 10K...not running/walking/running/walking - etc. Here are the results for some of our friends from this area. Michelle LaFleur was the women's winner in 35:48 Danny Gleason - 42:13 Angie Frederick - 46:54 Tobie Davis - 50:22 Eddie Shelton - 56:13 Ray Miller - 1:05:50 Micah Ward - 1:10:44 Catherine Ward 1:14:39
The folks in Statesboro did it again Thursday night. The 3rd Annual Jingle Bell Reindeer 5K was a tremendous success. Over 200 runners took to the streets at 5:30 p.m. for a twilight jaunt through the 'Boro. Many of the runners finished the 5K long before darkness set in......alas.....not I. I started as far back in the pack as I could, but I made my move a little early and found myself in the middle of the pack after about 400 yards. That didn't last long. Debbie Gleason said hello as she passed me, Rob Sharkey and Ken Williams tried to make me feel good and stayed with me for about a mile but they soon tired of being nice and they left me just past the one mile mark. In case you missed my email last night, I set a new P.R. of sorts in the race. I was passed by a lady pushing a stroller. At the scorer's table, I asked the age of the baby. Eight months. That is the youngest person to ever beat me in a 5K. The race started at the Courthouse on East Main Street and meandered through the "old" part of Statesboro. One of the most unique aspects is that as we traveled on one of the streets, Park Avenue???, there were bags lining the street with candles burning inside. What a great touch. When I finished there was still a large group of people near the finish line. I thought how nice......all those people waiting for me to complete the race. But I later found out that everyone was waiting on the arrival of Santa. And since it's almost Christmas.......I really didn't mind being upstaged by Saint Nick. There was a large group of Millen Milers and friends of the Millen Milers in the race. Some of US (and I did say US) managed to pick up some hardware. Everyone really enjoyed a wonderful evening and we all got into the holiday spirit. GREAT JOB MILLEN MILERS & FRIENDS AND CONGRATULATIONS TO THE STATESBORO CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU FOR A GREAT RACE!! By the way......Merry Christmas Everybody Here are the results from the Jingle Bell Reindeer Run from Thursday night. Danny Gleason - 20:05 - 1st in age group Randy Brannen - 20:52 2nd in age group David Williams - 21:47 Andi Johnson - 22:58 - 1st in age group Toby Davis - 24:29 Rahn Hutchinson - 25:30 John Frazier - 25:31 - 1st in age group Erin Green - 25:50 3rd in age group Debbie Gleason - 27:21 - 3rd in age group Rob Sharkey - 28:33 Ken Williams - 28:34 Ray Miller - 29:41 - 3rd in age group
Mary Williams, Ken Williams and Joyce Hodges-Hite completed the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving morning. WAY TO GO MARY, KEN, AND JOYCE!!!! Mary Williams - 4:25:52 - 1st in age group Ken Williams - 4:40:13 Joyce Hodges-Hite - 4:52:42 - 1st in age group Here is Ken's first hand report of the race. Thanks Ken for painting a great picture! Well, once again Atlanta served up her very best for Thanksgiving.
Thursday mornings' weather was around 37 degrees with a , uh ,
shall we say 'brisk' wind of 20 mph & gusts of up to 30 that constantly
threatened to turn the baggage tent at the start/finish line inside out
like a huge umbrella. It never got any better......................
Some 850 or so marathoners gathered again to brave the inclement
weather for the 26.2 mile trec through Atlanta, mercilessly culling the
few that came but were not prepared. This marathon was no joy ride,
but then,,,, none of them are.
Probably the Atlanta Marathon was where the term 26 mile monster
was first thought up,,, I suspect somewhere around Mitchell Street.
If you have done either the half or the full ,,,,,,,you know Mitchell
Street, the last of the relentless hills that have long since taken away
your ability to do much more than breathe and just keep trying to go
forward.....and up !
I was fortunate enough to run with Joyce till the half, then was able
to draft some Clemson folks for a while, letting them take the brunt of
the wind, but as always, I finished alone. Thats just how
marathons make you finish, a race against yourself.
To say I was happy to finish my 5th marathon does not really do it
justice, but my 4:39 still leaves me knowing the Tybee Marathon will
be much better, it's flat, no hills, THANK GOD !!!!!!
Joyce ran about 4:50 I think, I haven't check the numbers for her as
of yet.
I think I understand now what Joyce meant when she ask me some 18
weeks ago when we where deciding on which marathon to do. She
said, "are you SURE you want to do Atlanta, yes I replied".
As I stood in awe at the finish line watching those very ,very
exhausted people give everything they had to finish, I thought to
myself, MARATHONER, the only way to define one is to be one, you
will find out who you really are,,,, it will only take one..............
The stress of the hills will leave my tired legs in a few days and we
will be back on the road, training again. But for now I think I am going
to go find some of the left over turkey and dressin' that I missed while
running up Heartbreak Hill............. Take care, run long.................. Ken, The Runner Guy Jim and Joyce spent the week-end of October 30 in Hamlet, N.C., where they competed in the Seaboard Festival 5 Mile Race. Hamlet is just a few miles from Rockingham. Jim placed 2nd in his age group with a time of 46:21; Joyce won her age group in 50:06. Hoofin' For Habitat 5K; October 16; Statesboro, GATwelve members of the Millen Milers and The Jenkins County High School Cross Country Team competed in the 6th Annual Hoofin' For Habitat 5K on the campus of Georgia Southern University. The course has been redesigned and it now includes a complete loop around beautiful Sweetheart Circle. As usual, the group from GSU and our friends Danny and Debbie Gleason did an outstanding job with the race. There were over 200 hundred finishers.........and no..... I was not last!! Here is how we finished: David Williams - 19:15; Maurice Drayton - 19:16; Vincent Bynes - 19:24; Randy Brannen - 21:05; Jamar Holmes - 21:30; Tony Williams - 21:50; Andi Johnson - 23:17 First in age group; Chris Griffin - 23:52; Eddie Shelton - 25:47 Third in age group; Justin Lanier - 28:12; Bobby James - 28:28; Ray Miller - 29:32 Joyce Receives Award from ATCJoyce Hodges-Hite recently received an award from The Atlanta Track Club for her national title in the 10,000 meters at the USATF National Masters Championships at Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois in August. CONGRATULATIONS JOYCE!!!!!! Joyce and Jim in 2004 National Track RankingsHere are the final national track rankings for 2004 from the masters track site. Joyce (65-69) 800 meters, 8th; 1500 meters, 3rd; 3,000 meters, 1st; 5,000 meters, 4th; 10,000 meters 1st. Jim Hite (70-74) Mile, 6th; 5,000 meters, 12th; 2K steeple chase, 4th. NICE GOING JOYCE AND JIM!!! Dannon Duathlon Series, Cincinnati, Ohio; Sept. 26, 2004Jim competed in the Dannon Duathlon Series in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 25. Jim reports that he won his age group, and he was the oldest guy in the race. He also says that "a good number of people finished behind me." His times were: 27:45 (5K run); 1:08:18 (31.5K bike); 29:23 (5K run). Total time for the race was 2:08:40. NICE JOB UP NORTH JIM.......YOU MADE US (MMM'S) PROUD!!! Sylvania 10K, Sylvania, GA; Sept. 18, 2004Andi Johnson reports her time in the Sylvania 10K was 51:28. She finished 2nd in her age group and she was the 5th female finisher. Her goal was to hit her mile splits in around 8 minutes, the four splits that she recorded were; 7:50, 7:16, 7:24, and 7:32. Andi is looking forward to "Hoofin For Habitat" in Statesboro in a couple of weeks. WAY TO GO ANDI!!!!!!! Wears Valley 15K, Townsend, TN; Sept. 18, 2004Jim and Joyce competed in the Wears Valley 15K in Townsend, Tennessee on September 18th. Jim reports that he and Joyce finished 1st in their age groups. Joyce's time was 1:34:35, Jim completed the course in 1:40:07. Jim says, "The course was beautiful. Some good hills, as expected. Temp. around 50 degrees, mist in the valley until about 8:30." Sounds like a great day and a great place to run. WAY TO GO JOYCE AND JIM!!!!!!!!! Macon Labor Day 10KJulian Wade and Kenny Williams traveled to Macon on Monday for the Macon Labor Day 10K. They both report that it was an adventure. Here is what Ken had to say about the race. What can one really say about a dark gloomy rainy 10k that you have driven
2 hours to get to , still got there too late to pick up your race pack , so you
have to wait to get it on race morning. You can't sleep 'cause you are in a
strange place (motel room). Then up at 5:30 to be sure to be there in time to
get your timing chip,it's pouring rain and cold AND the Race people show up
30 minutes late with the chips. I guess the only thing I can really say is I
CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR !!!!!!!!!!! What a really great
race and yes, if I have to explain it then you will never understand it, that's
why they call us runners,,right Ray ? |
