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The fourteenth
annual Gulf Coast Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K race was
held Saturday, November 28, at the Stennis Space Center in
Waveland, Mississippi with a very large crowd present to run
in all three races--especially considering the weather
conditions. Ray Martin and I left Laurel with the
temperature of 51, but by the time we got to the race the
temperature had warmed to 68 and rain was threatening. The
ground was already wet, and we had to help some
guy from
Moss Point get his bogged down truck out. You would think
that a man who just ran the Dublin Marathon would know
better than to park in a place that he would get stuck in.
Just before the start of the race, the rain started and
lasted for a little over two hours. We probably got over an
inch, but then the sun came out and baked the marathoners.
Jerry Worley, Mike Barnes and I ran the 5K. Jerry was sixth
overall and first in his age group. Mike placed in his age
group, and I got first in the 50-54 age group. I apologize
to Jerry and Mike for not getting their pictures, but by the
time the rain stopped and I got my camera, they were gone.
Ross Shales won the half marathon. Ray Martin represented
the local area by placing in his age group in the half
marathon. Leonard Vergunst, race director of the Gulf Coast
Running Club, easily won the marathon. It was great to see
so many of the Mississippi Track Club travel down for this
race. Miriam Allred won her age group in the marathon. Mark
Lipking and Charles Allred came in first and second in their
age group. There were several other MTC members present
also. Another welcome group was that of Dennis Devore and
his cross-country running team. After the race the most
valuable piece of equipment was the big pavilion that we
were able to get under and stay somewhat dry. The after-race
food was good and plentiful. Much thanks to everyone who
worked so hard to make this race a success. © Phillip
Wedgeworth. See
results on the GCRC site.
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