Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A staple of the summer racing circuit, the Sunsets at Pier 60 5K is a four-part racing series in Clearwater that challenges runners to battle the sweltering heat and humidity of the summer months on one of the area's most picturesque courses.
On Friday, Russell Snyder of St. Petersburg captured the championship in the first Sunsets at Pier 60 5K race. Snyder, 22, crossed the finish line in 16:28 to win by 23 seconds. The race had 279 finishers.
Placing second was Karsen Callahan, 34 of St. Petersburg. Brian Benjamin, 22 of Kenneth City, was third in 17:34.
Lisa Williams was the women's champion, clocking in at 20:41. Williams, 32 of Largo, won by 14 seconds.
Lisa Taylor, 36 of Clearwater, was second.
Donna Nesslar, 48 of Largo, placed third in 21:08.
A number of county runners placed first in their age group. They were: (F11-12) Julia Siegel, Tarpon Springs, 24:27; (M13-14) Parker Lewis, Largo, 22:33; (F13-14) Bobbi LaBrant, Largo, 22:18; (M15-19) Cameron Wheeler, St. Petersburg, 17:52; (F15-19) Kacy Seynders, Palm Harbor, 21:26; (F20-24) Ashley Hoover, Clearwater, 26:55; (F30-34) Whit Lasseter, Palm Harbor, 23:14; (F35-39) Lara Kondor, Seminole, 27:01; (M40-44) Howard Feingold, Clearwater, 19:20; (M45-49) Keith Sawayda, Clearwater, 18:23; (M50-54) Ward Edwards, Largo, 22:04; (F50-54) Carol Bancroft, Safety Harbor, 23:10; (M55-59) Ron Murawsky, Clearwater, 21:02; (M60-64) Albert Wieringa, St. Petersburg, 21:30; (F60-64) Carole Torreano, Largo, 34:26; (M65-69) Duncan Cameron, Palm Harbor, 22:45; (F65-69) Millie Hamilton, Redington Beach, 29:49; (M70-74) Jim Callan, Palm Harbor, 29:29; (70-74) Terri Sullivan, Tarpon Springs, 38:09; (M75 and over) Jack Gough, Clearwater, 34:05.
SPRING INTO SUMMER 5K: St. Petersburg's Ali Crabb was the women's champion at Saturday's Spring into Summer 5K in Tampa.
Crabb, 21 of St. Petersburg, faced little challenge from the rest of the women's field, crossing the finish line in 17:35 to win by more than a minute.
Carol Glasscock, 44 of St. Pete Beach, earned a spot in the top three, placing third in 19:59. Glasscock was also the women's master's champion.
Age group winners from Pinellas County were: (M9 and under) Luke Williams, Safety Harbor, 26:12; (M10-14) Hunter McCann, Treasure Island, 18:14; (M20-24) Ryan Tanner, Clearwater, 20:59; (M55-59) Steve Byrne, St. Petersburg, 20:55; (M70-74) Joe Burgasser, St. Petersburg, 20:33.
The race had 333 finishers.
AQUATERRA CLEARWATER: A pair of local athletes claimed age group championships at the inaugural AquaTerra Clearwater on Saturday.
Brian Behring, 18 of Redington Shores, covered the 10K race (2,000-meter swim, 8,000-meter run) in one hour, 14 minutes to win the men's 15- to 19-year-old age group.
Parker Hanson, 46 of St. Petersburg, was the top finisher in the men's 45-49 group after clocking in at 1:11:47.
Adam Phillips, 30 of Clearwater, was first in his age group in the 5K race (1,000-meter swim, 4,000-meter run). Phillips won the men's 30-34 division in 39:32.
Stephanie Kurtz, 36 of St. Petersburg, claimed first in the women's 35-39 division, completing the race in 40:48.
Dawn Clark, 46 of St. Petersburg, was also an age group winner, taking the women's 45-49 division in 43:39.
YTS AT FISHHAWK RANCH: The Youth Triathlon Series at FishHawk Ranch offered local youngsters the opportunity to compete in a scaled-down triathlon with more manageable distances.
Earning wins in their age group were: (M8) Mac Lastinger, St. Petersburg, 13:44; (F9) Olivia Donovan, Clearwater, 14:13; (M9 elite) Coleman Inglima, Clearwater, 33:36; (F13) Zaya Pelusi, Clearwater, 25:40; (F11 elite) Annabella Mowry, Dunedin, 39:23; (F13 elite) Summer Kanstoroom, St. Petersburg, 31:11; (F14 elite) Nicole Nesto, St. Pete Beach, 37:16; (M14 elite) Scott Kremser, Largo, 32:32; (Adult super sprint – women) Christine Hanlon, St. Petersburg, 31:18; (Adult super sprint – men) Amory Ifill, St. Petersburg, 29:51.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The sixth annual Morton Plant Mease triathlon on Sunday, June 26, in Clearwater is expecting approximately 1,000 participants, and volunteers are needed for a variety of activities, including athlete check-in, body marking, water station, course marshal and finish line.
Individuals interested in volunteering at the Morton Plant Mease Triathlon can sign up at mpmtriathlon.org before June 20. Volunteers receive a race T-shirt and access to the hospitality tent.
Bryan Burns can be reached at bburns@sptimes.com.