2006 Azalea Trail Run

The Pine Belt Pacers swarmed the 2006 ATR to take advantage of some perfect running weather. After the run, a couple of the still sober members counted at least 25 Pacers. I could not confirm this as I ran out of toes and fingers – plus everyone kept moving! However, scanning down the finishers list, there were quite a few Hattiesburg residents that are not members. Guess we have to work on that.

Again the weather was perfect; blue cloudless skies with temperatures climbing toward 50 degrees by the start. I heard several raving comments from the members about the great food and warm hospitality provided by Jim Coll’s mother the night before. They were carbo charged to run. Dawn led the Pacer stragglers to the line. We were well mixed within the starting crowd as 2800 people ran the 10K. I made the mistake of challenging the great Ironman Tony Mozingo, so he moved back in the pack to line up beside me with that intimidating scowl. Luckily, he got caught behind a slow pack near the start and I was able to get away.

At the end, Mostafa Khannouchi won the club title with a 37:13. Keith Barrett set a PR at 39:54 and pushed Jim Coll in for 39:55. Joni Dunbar paced the women to finish in 45:57; but Vicki and Becky won first place in their age groups to capture the bragging rights. Deedre Coll ran her first 10K and Richard Sims is coming back into the racing scene. But the biggest smile after the finish was on Deborah Barrett – just look at her dance moves with me in the photo gallery!

The top seven men winners were from Kenya, but times were slower than in the past with the top three all finishing in 28:35. The top woman was from Kenya in 32:19. For complete results go the Port City Pacers web site.

BTW, I set my PR, but am going to start looking over my shoulder for some of the younger group that are getting faster. Keith Hilpp ran a 46:31 and Mike Deaton came in at 44:46. Even Tony is coming back (rumor is that he is sneaking in late night workouts to reaffirm his macho status in Panama City). Run for Life. © Steve Ulery