Running Side Trips

Side Trips will include news from running clubs, individual achievements and notes from area road races. Please feel free to submit notes to be included on the page by e-mailing the information to admin@clinesrunningcorner.com.

Read about the latest running news.

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Records set at Houston

Teshome Gelana and defending women’s champion Teyba Erkesso led an Ethiopian sweep of the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday (Jan. 17), each setting course records. Top marathon finisher from the D-FW area was Andrew Cook of Flower Mound. Cook, 28, finished 11th overall with a 2:23:19. Placing in the top 100 in the half included Nicholas Stanko, 28, of Haslett with a 1:04:42 for 17th place, and Dawn Charlier, 32, of Dallas, who was the 28th female finisher. See story.

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Marathon finishers show big increase in 2009. See story.

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Jeff Arnier Jr., left, and Jacob Phillips, fellow Metroplex Strider members, finished 1-2 in the Rotary Resolution 10K on Saturday, Jan. 16, in Addison. Arnier ran a 31:57 and Phillips a 35:31. Read a report about the race from Fiona Green, the female masters winner in 44:30. Photo submitted by Fiona.

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Rotary Resolution a start for healthy lifestyle for some (if pizza and beer qualify as healthy);
10K male winner has sights set for something bigger

By Fiona Green

Among the participants at the Rotary Resolution 5K were (above, left to right), Gabriella McCord (nice face), Kim Rogers-Tracy and Amy Jantzen. Pictured left is John Yundt-Pacheco, who was impressed by the postrace spread. Kim won the female 30-34 division. Photos submitted by Fiona Green.

The annual Rotary Resolution 5K and 10K Runs in Addison on Saturday (Jan. 16) once again attracted an impressive number of runners -- everyone from local elites to first-timers who had resolved that 2010 would mark the start of a new healthy lifestyle. Ironically, part of this particular event's popularity may have something to do with the copious amounts of postrace pizza and beer that are served, but as experts always tell us, it is best to ease into a new healthy routine gradually.

The event also featured an impressive raffle with some great prizes. Race participants automatically received a raffle ticket, but additional tickets could be purchased with proceeds being donated to the earthquake victims in Haiti.

The overall female winner in the 5K (and third place overall finisher) was Sonya Correa, who ran a speedy 18:30, while 16-year-old Kenny Stice claimed the men's title in 17:43.

Overall male 10K winner Jeff Arnier Jr., finishing almost 4 minutes ahead of runner-up Jacob Philips, completed the course in 31:57. Let's get one thing straight. Jacob, 17 years old, ran a great race, finishing in 35:31, a time that probably would win the overall title at many local races. However, when fellow Metroplex Striders runner, Jeff, shows up, Jacob  knows he might have to settle for second place. Jeff runs effortlessly. I spotted him three times during the 2-lap course, far ahead of the pack with nobody to help with pacing. He looked like he was jogging, barely breaking a sweat. Although he was a little disappointed with his time, Jeff was satisfied with fairly even splits -- 15:54 and 16:03. Bear in mind that this kid is logging 95-mile weeks and that gives an idea of how good he really is. Jeff has set his sights on qualifying for the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, which will be in Poland in March. In order to qualify, he needs to finish among the top six runners in the Junior class race at the USATF organized USA World Cross Country Championships in Spokane, Washington on February 13.

The female 10K winner was 33-year-old Shannon Yarbray, who clocked an impressive 36:37.

It's always fun to speak with first-timers. Assuming they finished the race, they are generally happy, having just set their first PR, and are enjoying the post-race high that 'habitual' racers know and love. Amy Jantzen, 33, always trains on a treadmill, running for an hour before work every morning. She enjoys her indoor workouts and dislikes running outdoors as she has difficulty pacing herself.  She did, however, enjoy this experience and, encouraged by friend Gabriella McCord, is confident that she will be racing again very soon.

John Yundt-Pacheco, 45, was encouraged to start running by a family member, who is a triathlete. John also enjoyed today's experience and was particularly impressed by the unexpected post-race beer. Guided by new racing friends and age-group winners, Craig Vollmer and Jason Koplimski, John learned some valuable lessons. Most importantly when choosing his next race, he will first check the sponsor list. If there is a beer company listed, he'll be the first to sign up.

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Records set at Houston Marathon; USA Half Marathon champs decided

Teshome Gelana and defending women’s champion Teyba Erkesso led an Ethiopian sweep of the 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon on Sunday (Jan. 17), each setting course records. Gelana, 25, running his second marathon in six weeks, broke away from a pack of five runners at the 22-mile mark and finished in 2:07:37. His time shaved 15 seconds off the previous course record set by fellow Ethiopian Deriba Merga in 2009. Both Gelana and Erkesso received $35,000 for their victories. Antonio Vega (St. Paul, Minn.) and Shalane Flanagan (Portland, Ore.) claimed 2010 USA Half Marathon Championships with their victories in the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Vega, 26, broke the tape in 1:01:54, setting a new personal best by more than a minute and running the fourth-fastest time by American on the Houston half marathon course. Two-time Olympian Flanagan, 28, shattered the course record in the women’s half marathon championship. Runners are shown ready for the start of the half early Sunday morning. Photo submitted by Jose Lopez.

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Organizers of the Jiggle Butt 5K for women, which was conducted Saturday (Jan. 9), in Arlington have seen their race become a popular event. Fiona Green was the overall winner on a cold morning. Read Fiona's report and see a slideshow. about how these three women, Karen Bondurant, Mary Hibbs and Shelly Tardy started this fourth-year event that has grown from about 40 participants to more than 900.

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Cold day and feet, but runners plug on

Kiplimo Chemirmir, admittedly underdressed in a singlet on a Saturday (Jan. 9) morning when the temperature resembled a meat freezer, won the Snowman Shuffle 5K even though he had doubts about even finishing when his toes went numb after the first mile. When he hit the first mile at 5:03, he said his feet were dead as the temperature was maybe a shivering 30 degrees. He said for the first time, he felt like quitting a race. But he clenched his teeth and finally finished in 16:38 for his second overall victory in this New Year. With his face stinging and his hands and feet cold, Kimplimo quickly headed to his car, wrapped in a blanket and said it took 28 minutes before he was back to normal. Brr. Cold just thinking about it. But more than 100 braved the cold at White Rock Lake, and Candance George won the women's 5K race in 22:42. In the 10K, Natalie Baker was the female winner in 40:08 and Sam Tillery took the men's race in 36:08. See results.

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The DRC Frigid 10K and 5K mostly lived up to its name Saturday morning (Jan. 2) at White Rock Lake as runners headed out while the temperature was trying to reach 40 degrees. Winning the 5K (pictured above) were Kiplimo Chemirmir in 16:20:15 and Sonya Correa in 18:28.93. Winning the 10K male and female titles were Andrew Cook in 31:44:83 and Christell Baum in 41:47:56. For Correa, a personal trainer, it was a great start to the New Year as she set a PR. Her short-term goal is to break 18 minutes before tackling longer distances. Chemirmir, looking relaxed and running alone for most of the race, didn't even notice his time as he crossed the finish line. He said he's training for marathons and that Cowtown will be his last race before joining the Army in February. Photo submitted by Fiona Green.

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Approximately 350 runners and walkers welcomed the New Year at the Resolution Solution 5K at Trinity Park in Fort Worth on sunny, made-for-running morning. Even though the temperature was in the low 30s at the start of the race, it seemed warmer because of the sunshine and lack of wind. Jerry Johnson, 39, of Fort Worth won the male division in 18:06.7 and Cora Turner, 40, of Alvarado won the women's race in 19:18. See results. See report and slideshows. In Dallas, the New Year's Day 5-Mile run also had a nice turnout and some good times. Austin Lyles, 17, of Argyle won in 27:33. Dawn Charlier, 32, won the women's race in 29:43.

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Bruno needs a home and a running partner

Bruno is looking for a running buddy whom he can accompany on daily training runs. An excellent pacer, good motivator and great listener, he guarantees you will be running new PRs in no time.

After spending two long months in an area shelter, Bruno, a young mixed, breed dog, was rescued in the nick of time and over the past few months has re-learned how to trust people and have fun again. He is now ready for his forever home with a loving person or family. Energetic, playful and affectionate, he enjoys nothing more than a good tummy  rub. He loves attention and is looking for a home where he can be the only dog and have you all to himself. Bruno is neutered and current on all routine shots. For more  information, please call Frances McKissick at 214-803-6459 (cell). Photo submitted by Fiona Green.

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Have a good neighbor?

Do you know someone who should be in the newly resurrected Neighbors feature? Though runners/walkers will be added on a periodic basis, please suggest someone who is a frequent competitor in D-FW road races. Please e-mail the name and, if you know, how to contact the person. Also, if you already are in the Neighbors and need to update any information (such as PRs), please e-mail the information. Thanks.