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Local faces finish well at YWCA race

By DAVE THEALL
Published October 4, 2007

LARGO - Local runners captured three of the top four places in the men's division at Saturday's inaugural YWCA Race Against Racism 5K at Taylor Park.

Josh Lakhotia, 14, finished second behind St. Petersburg's Andy Canning, who won comfortably in 18 minutes, 42 seconds. Tim Kiggins, 48, took third in 20:19, followed by Chris Coleman, 44, in 22:27.

Lakhotia, a freshman on the cross country team at Seminole High, said he used the race as a sharpener in preparation for high school intense practice sessions and future meets.

"I purposely went out hard this morning because I wanted to get in a quality workout and be prepared for the next school time trial," said Lakhotia, who said he has been running in the eighth position on the strong Warhawks team (to compete in matches he needs to be seventh or better). "I'm pleased with my race today. I passed one guy who passed me early on; I never quit."

He was timed in 20:01, 6 minutes and 27 seconds per mile pace.

Lakhotia was also reeled in on the two-loop course around the lake by a newcomer to the area, Sarah Neilson, 24, of Belleair, who recently moved here from New Hampshire, where she ran cross country for New England College. She finished second overall in 19:48.

"I'm having trouble getting used to running on flat surfaces. In New Hampshire it's all hills, which I'm used to," said Neilson, a certified personal trainer and wellness consultant working out of Belleair Country Club. "Also, the humidity and air quality are different. But I'm adjusting as I prepare for my first half-marathon race."

Overall winner Canning said he ran a tactical race, staying back early on to see who would grab the lead. Just after the half-mile mark, he eased past Lakhotia then Neilson, clocking 6:05 for the first mile.

"I knew I could run faster than that," Canning added, averaging 6:02 per mile. "That was my first win this year. I'm lucky Christa Benton wasn't here because she would have beaten me easily."

Kaley Matthews, 20, of St. Petersburg finished second woman (21:34) and Linday Blankenship, 26, of St. Petersburg was third in 21:41.

Kailiece Harris, 7, of Tampa, ran away from everyone, winning the mile event in 7:05. She competes nationally in her 8-and-under age division at 400 meters in Junior Olympic championships.

The first annual event was put on by the YWCA of Tampa Bay, located in St. Petersburg. Julie Valdez, a board member, served as the event director.

Expanded results are listed at www.coolrunning.com. Click on Florida.

-Abrom Douglas of St. Petersburg had a particularly winning attitude after the race, despite the fact he didn't win his 20-24 age division and had gotten only fours hours of sleep the night before the race. The USF grad didn't get home until 1:30 a.m. after watching his alma mater defeat Big East rival West Virginia at Raymond James Stadium.

"I had to make the race to support my boss at Raymond James Financial, Julie Valdez," Douglas said. "I'm basically a short-distance runner but I'd like to try a marathon some time just to say I've done it."

NAPLES 20K: John Biffar, an Admiral Farragut graduate, won the lucrative prize money event in a swift 1:12:19 with Sonja Uhl from Palm Beach capturing the women's title in 1:15:20.

Among a group of 18 runners from the area, Albert Wieringa of St. Petersburg finished first and in his 60-64 age group in 1:22:07. He was followed by Jimmy Duncan of Largo in 1:23:29, first, 35-39.

Coach Joe Burgasser of the Forerunners took first, 65-69 in 1:38:33 as he finished in tandem with teammate Kris Cox, first woman, 40-44.

Millie Hamilton (1:57:03) of Redington Beach captured second, 60-64. Third-place award winners were Jessica Mundie, 1:44:04 in the 50-54 group; Flora Cook, 1:45:43, among those 45-49; and Lenore Rupert, 1:44:04, ages 60-64.

FALL CLASSIC 5K: Two of the area's top runners locked horns Sunday at Tampa's Al Lopez Park. At the finish line, it was Dror Vaknin breaking the tape in 15:46, just a second up on Lee Stephens of Temple Terrace.

Mike Bartholomew, 50, was the first Pinellas male finisher, 10th, in 19:59.

Karen Collins of the Forerunners Club was first of 31 women in 19:20, good for fifth place overall. Oldsmar's Leslie Stalling took fourth in 23:20, just ahead of Pam McCann (23:27) of Treasure Island. The first five women ranged from ages 41 to 45.

RUN TO THE ROCK 5K: On Sept. 22 in Palm Harbor, Collins ran 50 seconds slower than her time in the Fall Classic, but on a hilly course. Still, she won in 20:10 and even took third overall. Masters (40+) division veteran Victor Yeager of Dunedin, age 47, easily won over Jose Perez, 46, of Deerfield Beach, who clocked 19:41.

[Last modified October 3, 2007, 22:21:00]