Soccer Locker and City Runners 5,000m Invitational

1/29/05 

Chilly weather did not damper the fast track times Saturday morning at the Soccer Locker and City Runners 5,000m. Invitational at the Southern Miss track.  The early race was led by Yousri Elmejdoubi who took the first mile in 4:51, then left the field of runners to battle on their own.  Overall winner, Seth Conerly, and Alaeeddine Khannouchi ran closely throughout the race and in the final 100 meters, Conerly sprinted for the win finishing with a speedy 15:32 for the 3.1 miles.  Khannouchi finished in 15:35.  Robin Ryder finished third overall with a time of 16:54. 

On the women’s side, Deb Osteen was the overall winner with a time of 19:17.  Logan Waites was the second overall female at 21:46, and Vicky Copeland ran 23:51 for third. 

The Soccer Locker and City Runners 5,000m Invitational is the first race of a three race series put on by Soccer Locker and City Runners and co-sponsored by The University of Southern Mississippi.  The next race, a 2-mile Cross Country Obstacle Race consisting of hay bale jumps, mud pits, a mud mountain, and a few more surprises will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 19th at the Lake Sehoy entrance of Vann Hook Golf Course.  The final race is Saturday, April 2nd at the Southern Miss entrance to the Longleaf Trace.  The race is called the “4-mile Soccer Ball Chase” and will have several “soccer balls” (runners in soccer ball costumes) running the race in addition to the field of runners.  Runners will try to pass as many of the soccer balls as they can in order to increase their chances for prizes.  More information and entry forms are available at Soccer Locker and City Runners located at 6098 US Hwy 98 West. 

Soccer Locker and City Runners store owner, Yousri Elmejdoubi, said he was pleased with the turnout for Saturday.  “The winter race series is an effort to bring some new and different races to Hattiesburg while promoting the sport of running.” 

A portion of the entry fees were donated to the American Red Cross Tsunami Relief fund.  Complete results and award winners for the Soccer Locker and City Runners 5,000m. Invitational are available at the Soccer Locker and City Runners Store.