Banks Half-Marathon & Tri 2 B Tuff Challenge

Several track club members completed the Banks Half-Marathon in Jacksonville this past Sunday. The weather was unusually warm for this time of year but the runners were able to maintain a good pace from start to finish. This was mainly due to the flat course and many spectators cheering them on throughout the course. The Okefenokee Track Club members were:

Matt Gourley- 1:53
Kelli Gourley- 1:56
Don Varnadore- 2:10
Tracy Saussy- 2:16
Allen Smith-2:22
Debbie Yawn- 2:39

Several of these runners also completed the Tri 2 B Tuff Challenge. This challenge consists of three half marathons within a 3 month period. The runners that completed all three races were Kelli Gourley, Don Varnadore, and Debbie Yawn. Congratulations to all runners!

(Only picture: Allen, Debbie & Don)

Santa Run & Ride - December 16, 2008

The Okefenokee Track Club has an annual tradition of spreading the Christmas cheer by running the streets of Waycross, dressed in festive attire. Lead by Jolly Old Saint Nick, the group ran from the YMCA and headed to the mall to greet the shoppers. The true meaning of the season was evident since children of all ages, waved, shouted “Merry Christmas”, and honked horns.
Photo:
Bottom – Santa (L to R), Cheryl Monroe, Tiffany Cochran, Mary Woodruff
2nd Row – Robin Smith, Cristi Blount, Janna Summerall-Smith
3rd Row – Billy Gillis, Clay Culp, Allen Smith
Top Row – Payton Joiner, Thomas Deane, Ron Crosby

2008 YMCA Reindeer Run -Waycross

The YMCA held the second annual Reindeer Run last Saturday. It is a fund raiser for the Y and was generously supported by the community. The first female was local runner and triathlete Cheryl Monroe. The other two top awards went to Charles Strickland and Mary Woodruff, for placing first in the Masters (40+) division. The One Mile event was held on the Y track. Many youngsters enjoyed the cool brisk weather, and were awarded medals for their accomplishment.
5K results:
20:47 Tyler Flanders - 1st Age Group 15-19
21:26 Wesley Popwell - 1st Age Group 40-44
22:21 Barry Barnes - 1st Age Group 30-34
22:34 Charles Strickland - Male Masters
22:38 Ron Crosby - 1st Age Group 60-64
22:46 Cheryl Monroe - Overall Female
23:22 Kevin Barnes - 1st Age Group 35-39
24:27 Mary Woodruff - Female Masters
25:42 Mike Porter - 1st Age Group 55-59
26:22 Heather Williams - 1st Age Group 30-34
30:42 Larry Godair - 2nd Age Group 60-64
31:22 Angela Keaton
34:45 Elizabeth Monroe - 2nd Age Group 20-24
34:47 Phyllis Cochran - 1st Age Group 50-54
41:05 Rochelle Varnadore

Congratulations, Moi!

Moi Monroe was presented the 2008 YMCA "Community Service Award" for his involvement in the community, the YMCA and his church. Congratulations, Moi! You are truly an inspiration to everyone who knows you because you never do anything out of obligation. Everything you do is sincere and comes straight from your heart. We are blessed to have you as a friend!

December 6th - Three 5K's in One Day!

Dubbed the Tour De Xmas Races by local runners, four Okefenokee Track Club members went on the road to Valdosta, Tifton, and Douglas to compete in three 5K’s within 10 hours. Each of the South Georgia Cities had their annual Christmas parade and festivities, with hundreds of racers drawn to the downtown venues. The four traveling harriers are Thomas Deane, Payton Joyner, Russell Keaton, and Ron Crosby. Many other OTC members and locals participated in at least one of the three events. The largest group was at the 9th Annual Douglas Parade Run, which has become a tradition for the Waycross group.

Two local teenagers and a boomer copped top awards, with Thomas Deane taking the Overall Male trophy in Valdosta, and Matthew Garmon in Douglas, along with Ron Crosby taking the Male Master (40+) victory in Douglas.

Valdosta–Jr. Service League Jingle Bell Classic 5K:
20:14 Thomas Deane - 1st Male
20:20 Payton Joyner - 1st 15-19
22:14 Russell Keaton - 1st 30-39
23:01 Ron Crosby - 1st 60+

Tifton–Kiwanis Hometown Holiday Celebration Fun Run:
19:39 Thomas Deane – 2nd 13-20
19:53 Tyler Flanders
19:55 Payton Joyner
22:34 Russell Keaton – 2nd 31-40
23:28 Ron Crosby - 1st 51-60
29:07 Mary Trimm - 3rd 13-20

Douglas–Douglas Christmas Parade 5K Run:
20:19 Tyler Flanders
20:20 Payton Joyner
22:16 Sydney Alitarawneh
22:46 Mamoun Alitarawneh
23:23 Ron Crosby - 1st Male Master 40+
24:40 Mary Woodruff - 1st 55-59
27:54 Allen Smith
29:15 Janna Summerall-Smith - 3rd 40-49
35:12 Phyllis Cochran
TNA Troy Long - 2nd 30-39
TNA Russell Keaton - 3rd 30-39
TNA Thomas Deane
TNA Debbie Yawn
TNA Don Varnadore
TNA Larry Godair

Photo is from the Christmas Parade Run in Douglas.

Outback Steakhouse Distance Classic–Half Marathon and 6K, Jacksonville

November 27, 2008 – Thanksgiving Day – 11 track club members ran the 25th edition of this popular Half Marathon, which drew over 2000 runners. Another member was one of over 1600 in the 6K. As times reflect, we have some fast runners in our midst. But, burning calories for the later Thanksgiving Day feast was also a goal of those that braved the distances and chilly temperatures.

Half Marathon Results:
Tiffany Cochran - 1:42:42
Shawn Howell - 1:46:48
Cheryl Monroe - 1:46:49
Robin Smith - 1:49:34
Russell Keaton - 1:54:53
Mary Woodruff - 1:55:44
Kelli Gourley - 1:57:10
Clay Culp - 2:02:28
Mike Porter - 2:09:31
Don Varnadore - 2:11:39
Debbie Yawn - 2:35:15

6K (3.73 Miles) Results:
Christie Howell - 32:59

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(No photos taken day of race. Photo above taken at Y at last minute.)