The temperatures are getting warmer in Saint Louis, but racing team members still managed to turn in some impressive performances both locally and across the country.
Payton Birkel set a new PR at this year’s Boston Marathon with an impressive 3:06:03 finish. Equally impressive were Matt and Sarah Kruger and John Kertz’s performances at the Cardinals 5k on April 22nd. Matt (15:48) and Sarah (18:11) were the race winners, and John (23:10) finished 3rd in his age group. A day later, Ron Patrick set a new PR and earned a BQ at the Jersey City Marathon with a time of 3:48:53.
Matt Helbig was the winner of the Master’s 800 M race at the Drake Relays on April 28th with an outstanding time of 2:04.4. The following day, Sadie Smith ran the 2nd fastest 50k in the state of Missouri and earned a new AG state record at the Frisco Railroad Race (3:43:47). Julie Lossos- Snow held it down for the team a little closer to home with a 4th place overall finish in the inaugural Kirkwood Beer Run 5k (18:38).
Later in the month, Denise Buehrer traveled to Iowa to run the Kewash Trail Half Marathon (2:28:19.) Stephanie Pruitt was the female winner of the Belleville Law Day 5k (20:53), and Matt Bridwell ran a new PR and got 2nd place at Laura’s Run 4 Kids (20:23). Mara Horwitz ran the Tacoma City Marathon, finishing in 3:49:14 as the 7th female and 2nd in her AG. And Mike Flynn was one of a select few Marathon Maniacs who were dedicated enough to run the Ghost of Tacoma Marathon on Saturday and the Tacoma City Marathon on Sunday as part of the club’s 20th anniversary celebration.
A group of racing team members made the trek to Lincoln, NE in early May, and Alex Schenk set a new marathon PR on a hot morning with a time of 3:10:05. Tim Bick ran the marathon in 3:22:22, and Preston Jordan finished in 3:26:59. Lisa Gorham ran the half in 1:29:16, and Cassie Zehenny in 1:43:43. Barret Looper was in Paducah for the Iron Mom Half Marathon, where he earned a new PR of 1:30:47. Later in the month, Sadie Smith was the female winner of the Fargo Marathon with a time of 2:57:46.
Back in Saint Louis, John Kertz finished the Jim Schoemehl 10K in 50:25, giving him another 3rd AG title. Jon Petter won the Fiesta de Mayo 5k with a time of 18:44, and John Kertz was 3rd in his AG (23:24). Sadie Smith was the 2nd female finisher at the Saint Charles Half Marathon (1:30:05), and Connor Walters finished 13th overall (1:38:15). Peter Johnsrud won the Saint Louis Triathlon Olympic Distance at Creve Coeur Lake with a time of 1:56:39. Jenn Hannigan finished the distance 1st in her AG (2:22:24). Mike Flynn was 3rd in his AG at the Millstadt Tin Man Half (1:57:22), Stephanie Pruitt finished 2nd in her AG and 7th female OA at the Make Tracks for the Zoo 5k (20:27), and Matt Bridwell was 1st in his age group at the zoo race (21:02).
Ferguson Twilight Run Finishes:
Mark Summers, 5k– 17:44 (winner)
Preston Jordan, 5k– 20:01 (2nd OA)
Sarah Kruger, 5k– 20:57 (female winner, 5th OA)
Ron Patrick, 5k– 21:29 (1st AG, 7th OA)
Gretchen Brune, 5k– 24:05 (3rd AG, 5th female)
Matt Kruger, 10k– 33:23 (winner)
Matt Lima, 10k– 38:54 (2nd place)
John Kertz, 10k– 46:54 (2nd AG, 7th OA)
Sidi Zhao, 10k– 52:24 (1st AG, 3rd female)
University City Memorial Day Run Finishes:
Jon Petter, 5k– 18:04 (2nd AG, 7th OA)
Matt Lima, 5k– 18:29 (1st AG, 11th OA)
Sadie Smith, 10k– 40:27 (female winner)
Connor Walters, 10k– 41:16 (3rd AG)
John Kertz, 10k– 45:53 (PR, 2nd AG)
