Sweetheart Run 5K, February 23, 2008

Two Cochran champions competed in the Sweetheart Run in Tifton on February 23. Per Tiffany, "Do not be intimidated by mom's big trophy. She worked very hard for that prize!" That's okay Phyllis! Every runner has a couple of those "big" trophies in their showcase, so be proud of your trophy no matter what size it is! Tiffany "Precious" Cochran finished as Overall Female with a time of 21:30, while Phyllis "Proud to be a running mom" won 3rd in her age group (50-54) with a time of 33:09. You represented our club well!

26.2 With Donna - Breast Cancer Marathon

On Sunday, Feb. 17th, 9 track club members competed in the half-marathon and marathon in Jacksonville. With February being an unpredictable month weather-wise, it was unfortunate for the runners that it turned out to be 80+ degrees! Too hot for a marathon!
Half Results: Tiffany Cochran 1:45:27, Melissa Thomas 2:00:02, Mary Woodruff 2:07:44, Mary Beth Strickland 2:29:50, Debbie Yawn 2:33:03, Moi Monroe 2:15:31, Clay Culp 2:28:00
Marathon Results: Cheryl Monroe 4:00:54, Robin Smith 4:13:31
(Photo: Mary Beth, Debbie, Mary, Melissa & Tiffany)

Sidney Lanier Bridge Run 5K, Feb. 16

A large group of track club members showed up for the Brunswick 5K. A favorite & challenging race takes you over the bridge twice. Concrete & steel make it even harder on your pounding feet. Thankfully, this year, the weather cooperated. No rain or hurricane-strength winds to contend with as in years past. Just plenty of sunshine & enthusiasm. Race results are as follows:
Mamoun Alitarawneh 22:10, Charles Strickland 22:17, Tiffany Cochran 22:30, Ron Crosby 23:02, Matt Gourley 24:21, Mary Woodruff 26:19, Doug Vinson 26:30, Jim Tucker 26:51, Melissa Thomas 27:06, Sydney Alitarawneh 27:09, Mary Beth Strickland 30:50, David Osburn 32:26, Debbie Yawn 32:27, Andrea Osburn 35:39.

Walt Disney Marathon, January 13, 2008

Three track club members survived the Walt Disney Marathon held on Sunday, January 13th at 6:00 a.m.! It was very hot and humid but they lived to tell about it. This was a great experience considering it was the "first" marathon for all 3 runners. They ran through the Magic Kingdom, MGM studios, Epcot and the Animal Kingdom while giving high fives to millions of spectators including Mickey and all of the Disney folks! Their results are as follows: Tiffany Cochran finished in 3 hours, 54 minutes, 03 seconds, Cristi Blount finished with a time of 4:01:23 and Melissa Thomas finished in 4:26:09.

Photo: L-R: Tiffany Cochran, Cristi Blount, Melissa Thomas

2007 Santa Run Dec. 20

The weather couldn't be more perfect for Okefenokee Track Club's annual Santa Run, with Santa leading the pack on his bike. There was a good turn-out of elves & a couple of reindeer who ran along Plant Avenue waving at passers-by. Ron, Kenny & Denise want to wish each & every one of you a very Merry Christmas & wonderful New Year!

Photo: Front row: Obviously, Santa (Moi Monroe); 2nd row: Tiffany Cocharn, Mary Woodruff, Elizabeth Monroe; 3rd row: Debbie Yawn, Melissa Thomas, Cheryl Monroe, Allen Smith; 4th row: Don Varnadore, Mary Beth Strickland, Ron Crosby; 5th row: Thomas Deane, David Cahill (brand new member), Cameron Davis, Charles Strickland

2007 Jax Bank Half-Marathon, Dec. 16

Debbie Yawn & Mary Beth Strickland completed the Tri-2-Be-Tuff challenge - 3 half marathons in Oct., Nov. & Dec. We are really proud of you ladies for meeting each race head-on while facing another challenge - rain at all 3! Apparently, there were many local runners at the Jax Bank Half-Marathon on Dec. 16 but neither Debbie, Mary Beth nor Allen Smith knew of any of those runners. Hmmm . . . if there are that many runners in Waycross running a half-marathon, maybe they'll show up for our upcoming Swamp Run? Anyway, Allen finished the Jax Half with a time of 2:10:10, Mary Beth 2:16:28 and Debbie 2:21:07.

Christmas Party at Cavagnaro's Dec.13

Janna & Allen

Cheryl & Moi
Robin & Clay Kenny & Doug Cheryl & Don

Charles & Debbie Denise & Ron

Christmas Parade 5K Run - Douglas

(No race results because no response. Sorry!)

2007 IronMan 70.3 World Championships

Allen Smith competed in the IronMan 70.3 World Championships in Clearwater Beach, FL on 11/10/07. It was an international festival with 52 countries present. He finished in 6:40:24, which consisted of a 1.2 mile swim in the Gulf Of Mexico (51:07), T1... 5:06; 56 mile bike (3:12:24), T2... 5:24; 13.2 mile run (2:26:23). Per Allen, "The day was cool but windy and hillier than you would think in Clearwater, St. Pete. The causeway bridge going and coming back was like the Hart in jax. We crossed it twice on the bike and 4 times on the 2 loop run."

2007 Outback Distance Classic Half Marathon Thanksgiving Day

OTC members got up early Thanksgiving morning to drive to Jax & run in the Outback Half Marathon. Once again it rained on the group but there were no complaints. For some of these runners, it was their first half! Unfortunately, there was only one photo that did not include all those who ran but their results are listed below:

Tiffany Cochran 1:42, Cristi Blount 1:45, Robin Smith 1:50, Cheryl Monroe 1:52, Melissa Thomas 1:56, Moi Monroe 2:01, Mary Beth Strickland 2:14, Clay Culp 2:16, & Debbie Yawn 2:20.

(Photo: OTC members Melissa, Tiffany & Cristi)