Bob Coleman Winter Run Race Report

The Bob Coleman 10K Winter Run was held at the Natchez Trace near Clinton, MS on Saturday February 3. The course was almost pan-flat. The temperature was 24 degrees right before the race started. By the time everyone finished, one and half hour later, the temperature was still below freezing, climbing maybe to 28 degrees. It was really cold, cold, cold for this tropical coach potato!! It was the coldest race I’ve ever had to endure. Despite the chilly conditions, there were about 120 enthusiastic starters in the 10K run and 40 walkers in the 5K race. We were freezing our butts off, and I even could not feel my toes anymore. Once the gun went off I just started running as fast as I have done in the last 15 years. I was running like a mad dog in a meat house. I was just trying to get warm as soon as possible. The air was so cold, and it was hard to breath. I passed the first mile in 6:40 and kept the pace as long I could. My body definitively did not want to freeze. I sprinted to the finish line and collected my new PR time of 44:56! By the way, I smashed my previous PR in more than one minute. I also placed third in my age category. Philllip Wedgeworth was there too. He finished in 44:04 and placed first in his age bracket. In the Walk competition, Pine Belt Pacer Larry Sykes took the Senior Masters title. His time for the 5K was 32:18. There was another PR set yesterday. The MTC organizers had coffee at the end of the race! That means I have been in two races in a row where they have been considerate to this old Colombian runner. I can’t believe it! Two races in a row! Coool, a new PR! Let’s see what happens next week in Birmingham Alabama! Can I go for a third race in a row and another coffee PR? Way to go! – Congratulations to the MTC crew for another well organized event…and of course, special thanks to Ron and Tina Branan for the wonderful and delicious coffee.© Pijume Diwesi Mississippi Track Club's Bob Coleman Winter Classic 10K was held on the Natchez Trace on Saturday, February 3 with 118 running the 10K and 41 race walkers braving the 23 degree start ( for those who are temperature challenged, that is 9 degrees below freezing) to participate in this event. The temperature did warm to 38 by the time I was half way back to Laurel after the race. However, this is typical weather for this event and also for the Mississippi Marathon, which is held at the same location in January. After a half mile Rob Oates took the lead and won by two minutes with a time of 37.28. Kristen Jefferson was the female winner with a time of 44.07. Mark Lipking and Della Hilburn were the Masters winners. Greg Gearhart, who recently became an official old man, was the Grand Masters winner, and Dona Lee Andrews was the female Grand Master. Don Hirchfield and Ann Simmons were the Senior Grand Masters winners. The Pine Belt Pacers were represented by Larry Sykes, who won the Senior Masters in the race walk; Nestor Anzola, who placed third in his age group; and Phillip Wedgeworth, who was first in his age group. After the race we tried to stay warm while enjoying plenty of food and drink. One advantage of the cold weather was that the soft drinks had ice in them and we didn't have to worry about hot drinks. Unfortunately the bananas were frozen and this affected the taste somewhat. Much thanks to Jack, Jim, and all of the MTC people for the hard work that it takes to put on this and about 50 other quality races this year. Results . © Phillip Wedgeworth Picture 1 Overall Female Winner Kristen Jefferson Picture 2 Masters Winner Mark Lipking Picture 3 Grand Masters Winners Greg Gearhart and Donna Lee Andrews Picture 4 Senior Grand Masters Female Ann Simmons Picture 5 Winning Race Walkers Tina Branon and David Smalley Picture 6 Senior Masters Race Walk Winner Larry Sykes Picture 7 Zak and Carlos Prevost Picture 8 Mark Locke and Bryan Lagg Picture 9 The fastest Colombian in Hattiesburg, Nestor Raul Anzola Picture 10 Charles Allred Picture 11Curtis Kynerd and Phillip Wedgeworth, two old College Profs--semi-retired Picture 12 Jerry Parker

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