The First Annual Regional and International Paul B. Johnson State Park Classic took place on Saturday July 8 by the lake in the park. We had a crowd of 38 athletes running the 5.25 Km and coming from the Hattiesburg area, Brooklyn, Poplarville, Sumrall, Laurel, Jackson, Alabama and even from Colombia, South America. In addition, there were about 15-20 happy and enthusiastic youngsters participating in the 1-mile fun race. The weather was a little hot, with temperature in the 80’s, sunny skies, and humidity of 120%.

The 1-mile (and a little more) fun race took place first. Christie Stricker took the lead since the beginning and finished strong with a time of 8:10. She was followed by the Mc Lendon sisters, Lois and Hsyra. In the boys’ category, Matt Breland was the winner. Second place went to LJ Mc Lendon and third to Loue Summesalle. The Pine Belt Pacers were represented by Mollie Mozingo, big brother Robert, and Dad. Mollie almost won the race; unfortunately, a flat tire ¼-mile before the finish line impeded her to claim her first overall victory in her short 4-months "running" career.

After some instructions from race director John Stricker, we started the big race at 8:35am. Richie Sumrall and John Oliveri jumped to the lead and kept it to the end. Richie finished in 19:46 and John in 20:26. Audrey Jackson was the fastest woman with a time of 23:57. We had two long races. What happened was that we were trying to follow closely the police officer in the motorcycle, and he turned around after the cone that marked half way for the 1-mile fun race. The first 12 runners turned at that point. The following pack realized that the actual cone for the longer race was located 0.1 mile further in the hill, and they went for it; so did the remaining runners. At the end of the day the top 12 runners ran 3.26 miles (5.25K) and the other fellows did 3.46 miles. Just for the fun of the calculations, the general results show the official clock time and also the estimated 5K time for everybody.

In addition to the top awards for Richie and Audrey, most of the Pacers placed in their categories. Thus, John Oliveri, Dennis Devore, Donna Sumrall, and Phillip Wedgeworth were the winners of their respective categories. Christy Pickering, Anita Sumrall and Nestor Raul Anzola placed second in their age groups, and Kelton Turner and Charles Jackson did in theirs. Andy Maxwell, Tony and Robert Mozingo were close to the podium. However, Andy got an award for the top female 60 and over. I just wonder whether he was cheating! (Look at the last picture) J

Team Competition

As we informed the day before, the teams were conformed by three members. The participants got together and selected the following teams’ names for the race:

Team 1 CRAVING 4 AIR

- Richie Sumrall, Dwaine Higgason, & Anita Sumrall
Team 2 AT LEAST NOT THE LAST

- Phillip Wedgeworth, Chuck Garzman, & Donna Sumrall
Team 3 FEET DON'T LIE

- Audrey Jackson, Tony Mozingo, & Andy Maxwell

Team 4 LADY & THE TRAMPS

- Christy Pickering, Charles Jackson, &Nestor Raul Anzola
Team 5  CREEPY RUNNING CRITTERS

- Kelton Turner, Tim Paterson, & Rick Miley

Team 6 RUSTY, OLD & DIZZY

- John Oliveri, Dennis Devore, & Robert Mozingo

For the final calculations and teams’ cumulative times, the estimated 5K times were used to determine the winners. It was a close competition; however, one team overpowered the other and got the first place with a 2 minutes and half lead over the second team finisher. The members of the first place team receive a 7-day, 6-nights summer vacation at the 5-stars Dixieland Casino & Resort in Beaumont, MS courtesy of "It’s a Good Run Pawpaw Enterprises". First class air tickets will be provided by "Running Bear Airlines" and meals by "The Slimy Grits House".

Here are the final results:

1. FEET DON’T LIE 1:12:28

2. LADY & THE TRAMPS 1:15:01

3. AT LEAST NOT THE LAST 1:15:51

4. CRAVING 4 AIR 1:21:37

5. CREEPY RUNNING CRITTERS 1:22:38

6. RUSTY, OLD, & DIZZY 1:34:39

Congratulations to Audrey, Tony, and Andy for their great victory!

Paul B. Johnson State Park  5K Pictures