Running like Forrest Gump with no particular reason not to, Jonathan Savage of Charlotte, N.C. was the winner of more than a box of chocolates.
With a strong eastern wind at their back propelling them forward, hundreds of runners ran the length of the Florida Keys Saturday, May 15, not because any one was chasing them but in the name of a tremendous challenge and a great cause.
The third annual Keys 100, which originates in Key Largo and concludes 43 bridges later in Key West, raises funds for prostrate cancer research.
Runners had their choice of competing in the 100-mile race, a 50-mile race or on a relay team along the islands’ Overseas Highway, designated last October as an All-American Road. Winning the 100-mile race in a time of 17 hours, 14 minutes and four seconds was 43-year-old Savage.
Placing second was 28-year-old Jennifer Vogel of Duluth, Ga., with a time of 18:37:00. Joseph Ninke, 41, of Sebastian, Fla. was third in 19:33:36.
The fourth- and fifth-place century-distance finishers coming in at just over 21 hours were Claude Hicks, Jr., 50, and Monica Scholz, 42, of Ft Worth, Texas, and Jerseyville, Calif., respectively.
Pete Frezza, a Florida Keys resident who has run the race as a relay team member the past three years, said the runners got a break from the heat and humidity as overcast skies shielded them for more than half the day from the sun and heat experienced the past two years.
The tailwind at 20 knots also helped. Frezza’s team was 35 minutes faster than last year, earning fifth place team overall, with a time of 10:56:47. He said motorized traffic and road construction were the drawbacks this year but the most heavenly part of his 18-19 mile stint for his team was the Bahia Honda Bridge. While running the Lower Keys bridge, he watched an angler in a boat catch a mighty tarpon using mullet.
The first place team was Shut the **** Up and Run, with six male and female runners from the Melbourne, Fla. area with a time of 9:41:50.
For more results, visit http://www.keys100.com/index.php?view=article&id=118%3A2010resultsmain&option=com_content&Itemid=134
For more information on the Florida Keys, visit www.fla-keys.com.
(This article cannot be used without permission of the author, Jill Zima Borski, 305-852-9886, jzimakeys@aol.com).
Comments
Pete was a bit off, the race was hotter this year than in the last three years. I know, I have been there all three years- raced once, crewed my wife (Jennifer Vogel) to two wins. It was not only hotter (98 degrees ambient), we also registered 108 on the pavement at 3p.m. at mile 50. The wind was not an advantage, seeing as the winds constantly shift. I have to say, intense training, desire and effort made a few select faster this year than years past. On another note, the traffic was heavier and it was more noticeable in the evening and night hours as we made our way to Smathers. Either way, we love The Keys 100, all the people, volunteers adnd will be there time and time again.
Lane Vogel
Lane, the strong tail wind was definitely hot last May! Brutal often. I didn't realize that it was 98 deg ambient.
See you at the Palm 100 Saturday.
Jim Schroeder
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