YMCA Winter Classic

Well over 150 people showed on January 24, up at the YMCA in Ocean
Springs for the seventeenth annual Family YMCA Winter Classic 10K race.
After a few instructions from race director Leonard Vergunst, we were
off on a very scenic course that ran along the beach for about two of
the 6:2 miles. Leonard took the early lead and easily won with a 35:56.
To made the Family Classic a true family event Kristin Vergunst was the
winning female runner. Jerry Worry blistered the course to take the
Masters with a time of 39:21. Renee Hill was the female Masters winner.
Ed Wheeler kept his winning ways in the Grand Masters with a fast 40:49.
Nick Burrows was the first 10K race walker with a 58:06. Ray Martin and
Phillip Wedgeworth took second their age groups. Bob Clark helped keep
the Pine Belt Pacer tradition of coming in second alive by placing in
his age group. Richard Sims and Martha Rae Sartor also represented the
PBPs well. Martha was first in her age group, but was disappointed at
the choice of liquid refreshments after the race. This was one of the
more challenging coast courses with several hills. The temperature was
in the low 60s at race time and most of us have not run in a warm race
in a long time. The availability of showers at the "Y" after the race
was a very nice item. Results are linked at the Gulf Coast Web Page.
Race Report by Phillip Wedgeworth

YMCA WINTER CLASSIC 10K
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS

One hundred fifty-five runners/walkers took off from the Ocean Springs YMCA Saturday, January 24 at 9 a.m. for a 10K run in very pleasant weather. The course ran by the sea wall to a park. The park was the halfway mark in which we turned around and ran back the way we came. There were a few hills, but none to make you cry! Leonard Vergunst was the first place male finisher with at time of 35:35. Kristin Vergunst was the first female finisher with at time of 44:31. Pine Belt Pacers who participated were Jerry Worley (masters male winner, 39:21), Ray Martin (2^nd in 45-49 age group), Phillip Wedgeworth (2^nd in 50-54 age group), Bob Clark (2^nd in 55-59 age group), Richard Sims (48:01, and unfortunate to be in a very fast age group), and yours truly (1^st in 45-49 age group, 1:06:33; fortunate to be in a very slow age group).

The t-shirts are collectors’ items by virtue of the misspelled word on the front. By darn, if you are going to misspell something, why not make it the main sponsors’ name. The printer redeemed himself by spelling it correctly on the back. Just one of those things that happens now and then. The t-shirt is colorful and will be enjoyable to wear. The Gulf Coast has the best shirts!

The refreshments of Burger King biscuits, bananas, and tasty, sweet oranges were appreciated. The ladies serving them were very nice. I would participate in this race again.

Submitted by Martha Ray Sartor