Flyers no strangers to Illinois' historic River to River run

Pinellas County's Dixie Flyers relay team competed in the annual River To River 80-mile run in Illinois.

The Flyers placed second in a competitive field of long-distance runners, logging a time of 7 hours, 21 minutes.

One of the country's first ultra-distance races, the age-graded event sends athletes eastward from the Mississippi River to the finish line at the Ohio River -- Wolf Lake, Ill., to Golconda, Ill.

"The average age of our team members was 65 years," Flyers organizer Dick Ruzicka said.

"Al Treichel is a 73-year-old Ironman, and Jim Blount is a nationally-ranked 72-year-old runner," Ruzicka said. "Jim Larsen is 66, and I'm 65."

The Flyers have competed in River To River 12 of the 15 years. They had recorded eight consecutive victories.

Each year, the relay distances are divided into 5-kilometer segments. Larsen, a triathlete from St. Petersburg, ran the fourth segment.

"We started doing this event in our 50s, when I was really racing a lot," Ruzicka said. "We won it every time. It's a great event, and it takes a tremendous amount of organization, even though it is in a rural area."

The Flyers had time to enjoy the post-race bluegrass celebration, relaxing the four-plus hours it took the remaining teams to finish.

"We had a chance to sit and tell lies about what we did," Ruzicka said. "This second place was our slowest time ever. We'll be back."

Several seasons ago, a hip injury forced Ruzicka to end an elite masters career, which included 17 Boston Marathons and a 2:51 national championship age-group victory in the 1992 Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis.

Ruzicka, formerly of Naperville, a Chicago suburb, moved to St. Petersburg after retiring. He went into a bicycle shop to browse around, and ended up leaving with a lightweight triathlon bike.

"I can't run at all, and I'll need a hip replacement eventually," Ruzicka said. "I had to ride in the team car at River To River."

But Ruzicka rushed back to compete in the St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 28.

"The cross training is enjoyable, and I'm having fun, becoming an active triathlete," he said. "I highly recommend it to anyone."

DARE TO BARE: The 10th annual clothing optional 5-kilometer race attracted more than 250 competitors, in various attire, Saturday to Lake Como Family Nudist Resort in Pasco County. Clermont's Ric Rosenkratz won in 15 minutes, 46 seconds. The women's winner was Alexa Gemma of Daytona Beach, 21:19.

SPARTAN SPRINT: University of Tampa cross country coach Dror Vaknin hosted the 5K run at Tampa's Pepin Rood Stadium last Friday evening.

The Spartan Sprint was a fundraiser for UT cross country and track programs.

Local runners prevailed. Steve Wilcox entered the stadium first for a 16:18 victory. The top female was Rachel Chambers, 19:05.

Kyle Groh, the nation's highest ranked 7-year-old in 5-kilometer road racing, assured his mother, Kathy, he would break his 21:40 record. "He puts 150% into everything he does," Kathy said. "He runs because he simply loves it. We never push him. He gets straight A's at St. Jude's, and is an enthusiastic kid."

The 4-foot Groh warmed up with vigorous playing, bouncing, dancing, stair climbing and running for an hour in Al Martinez Gymnasium. After dressing in his new Boston Bill team uniform, Groh sprinted off to another record, 21:27. ROCK 'N' ROLL: San Diego's Suzuki Rock 'N' Roll Marathon is scheduled for June 2.

The race begins at Balboa Park and finishes at the historic Marine Corps Recruitment Depot.

The marathon's main attraction is the 26 bands -- one at each mile marker along the course -- playing rock, blues and jazz music for runners. Pinellas athletes who will participate are Kathy Day of Clearwater, Craig Phillips of Largo, Jerry Engel of St. Petersburg, Peter Pisasale of Indian Rocks Beach, Thomas Kempsey of Oldsmar, and David Terry of Gulfport.

For information, go online to www.rnrmarathon.com.

HOG HUSTLE: Dunedin will celebrate its 1899 law, which restricted the free roaming of hogs throughout the town, during the annual Hog Hustle 5K Run/Walk.

The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday. Information will be available at 7 a.m. at Dunedin Community Center, 1141 Michigan Blvd., or Dunedin Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave.

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