Lee Stephens' closest competition opts for the 5K crown, leaving the USF student a clear route to 10K glory.
By DAVE THEALL
Published December 19, 2004
CLEARWATER - When Lee Stephens saw former Plant High and Notre Dame track star Mike Greiwe bolt ahead for a 10-second lead at the mile mark (5:04 pace) of the Holiday Classic, he thought second place was a realistic goal. But since there were concurrent 10K and 5K races, and Greiwe intended to compete in the shorter event, that opened the door for the USF student from Land O'Lakes to cruise to the 10K victory.
Stephens, 24, was timed in 32 minutes, 58 seconds Saturday.
"My heart jumped when I saw Mike peel off for the 5K finish line," said Stephens, who also ran collegiately for Florida Southern. "When he turned I realized I could probably win by running a steady 5:25 per-mile pace."
Stephens' pace was true as he coasted home unchallenged, well ahead England's John Convery (33:25), second for the second straight year. DeLand's Jacob Smith took third in 34:29, followed by Bradenton's Mike Aldrink (34:41).
Clearwater's Vicki Jetton, 34, fresh off a half-marathon win in Largo last weekend, ran alone in the women's race, breaking the 37-minute mark in 36:53. That was a big improvement over her runnerup finish (38:35) at last month's Times Turkey Trot.
"The weather was perfect, the course was fast and this race is always well run," Jetton said. Tampa's Dana Parrot was second (38:30), followed by Sarasota's Rachel Chambers (38:39) and Tarpon Springs' Jacki Wachtel (38:42).
Greiwe, 26, an intern at University Hospital in Cincinnati, won the 5K in 15:53, followed by Sarasota's Dave O'Meara (16:22), and Mitchell High grad and USF runner Nick Ferrer (16:47).
Judy Maguire, 46, shared in the prize-money purse with a swift 18:46. New Port Richey's Danielle Coyle took second (19:51) and Tampa's Carly Quick, 12, third in 19:56.
There were 348 runners in the 5K and 210 in the 10K for the event's 16th running from Coachman Park to Clearwater Beach.
