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Running

Phillips finds motivation as No. 1 woman

By DAVE THEALL
Published January 26, 2006

What motivates a runner to run faster?

For one thing, a goal.

That's basically how Sunday's Clearwater Halfathon played out for St. Petersburg's Christy Phillips, who was the first woman and third overall finisher in a field of 328.

After Phillips had run virtually alone most of the scenic, waterfront route to Clearwater Beach then south to Gulf Boulevard and back, she saw another runner just ahead along Memorial Causeway.

She gradually closed the gap, which culminated at the crest of the new Clearwater Memorial Bridge, about 80 feet above sea level.

"I tried not to tail off too much coming back over the causeway into the wind," said Phillips, 43, a 2:49 marathoner. "But when I saw this runner just ahead of me I tried to catch him. But when I finally passed him I realized he was a bandit (unregistered runner). Still, trying to catching him helped motivate me to quicken my pace and finish with a good time considering how challenging this course is."

Phillips also was the first woman, and fourth overall, at last month's Gulf Beaches Halfathon where she finished in 1:22:26.

"This race helped me in terms of training; it's a tough course," she said. "I haven't been doing the amount of hill work I'm used to ... twice a week including San Antonio in Pasco County. I'm glad I did the race; it's important to support local races and race directors, such as Chris Lauber."

HALFATHON NOTES: Men's winner Elias Gonzalez said he approached the course cautiously, letting others set the early pace. At the 3-mile mark that he eased into the lead and never looked back.

"I never look back, even at the turns," said Gonzalez, a Brinks courier who is on the road at least 40 hours a week. "I just tried to run an even pace and not let those hills tear me up, but they did. My calves were killing me for a while, but the pain finally went away."

Gonzalez, who won the 2003 Times Turkey Trot in 31:35 and again in '04 in 32:11, slipped to 33:17 last year. finishing fourth.

His No. 1 priority now is to successfully defend his Gasparilla 15K title Feb. 25.

"This race helped me prepare for Gasparilla," he said. "With my job, I'm just not able to train as regularly as I used to at the University of Tampa."

Gonzalez, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, said he's thinking long range toward the 2008 Olympics in China.

"I've checked the distance runners from my country and learned that I rank about fourth," he said. "I plan to run a marathon eventually to see what I can do at that distance and where that puts me.

Lois Waite, 38, of Tampa, was the second woman in 1:34:35, nine minutes behind Phillips. A member of the Progressive Training Team, Waite said the challenging course will help her at Gasparilla where she hopes to run a 1:02.

Jill Andrzejczak, 26, flew in from Menasha, Wis., for the race and to visit her brother in Orlando.

"I originally signed up for the full marathon here but it was canceled," she said. "But this worked out fine. The scenery was beautiful. The bridges were tough; they hurt more going down than up. And I love the starfish award. Maybe I'll come back next year or try the Disney Marathon earlier in the month."

One appreciated amenity of the Halfathon is the finish line PA announcer. Brian Harrington of St. Petersburg keys in on each finisher's bib number to emphatically announce a name and hometown.

That usually generates smiles and cheers from the spectators and earlier finishers.

For complete race results, go to www.coolrunning.com NAPLES HALF MARATHON: Steve Mandel of Tampa was the first area finisher, ninth overall, in the appealing race for those seeking part of the $20,000 prize purse. His time of 1:12:43 was good for third in the masters division.

Area highlights include Clearwater's Keith Sawayda finishing first (1:14:13) in the separate 40-44 group. St. Petersburg's Jim Bumbul was fifth in that age bracket in 1:23:29.

Karen Collins of the Forerunners took second woman, 40-44, in 1:32:09, just ahead of Lisa Kothe (1:33:22) of the West Florida Y Runners. Lisa Plescia of St. Petersburg captured third (1:39:19) among women 45-49. And Barbara Eckes of Clearwater capitalized on her new 50-54 group by taking second in 1:48:25.

St. Petersburg's Albert Wieringa, 59, finished first in the grandmasters (50-plus) division, placing 34th overall in the field of 1,200 in 1:24:14. His award included $300, from which he'll pay an entry fee to the Feb. 12 Max Bayne Half Marathon at Fort DeSoto Park.

Bill Riley, a winter resident from Marstons Mills, Mass., followed up his St. Pete Beach Classic age-group win taking first, 65-69, in 1:30:30.

ST. PETE BEACH CLASSIC: Race director Wendy Johnson and her dedicated race committee of 35 have concluded that they've finally come up with an ideal course.

The popular 5K/10K event, which was held Jan. 14, was run on its third course in three years. The field was more than 900. A walking event and kids races were also part of the program.

Johnson said feedback from participants was favorable.

"The athletes really liked the new course and especially the finish line. It's big enough (on Corey Ave.) to accommodate twice as many runners," she said. "Our biggest challenge will always be available parking on St. Pete Beach. Folks just need to plan on arriving early and jogging to pick up their chip and then go to the start."

SUNCOAST CLASSIC: The Feb. 11 event from St. Petersburg's downtown BayWalk area features $5,000 in prize money to the top five men and women in both the 10K and 5K events. It's sponsored by Pediatric Services of Florida to benefit Ronald McDonald House.

One St. Petersburg runner has a goal in the Classic 10K, and it's not money. Annette Frisch, 65, will try to dip under 55 minutes.

The dominant area runner in her age division, Frisch had a winning 2:07 half-marathon at Disney this month. She followed up with a 26:31 age-group win at the St. Pete Beach Classic 5K, well ahead of the women's winners of the 60-64 and 55-59 age divisions.

For more details, go to www.runforkids.com

[Last modified January 26, 2006, 01:01:17]