On The Run with Sportswrap Running Reporter. Jon “Flex” Leiding

Ready to go "On The Run!"

Where did the week go? Summer seem s to be hanging on and temperatures seem to be finally helping us runners out.
This past weekend, the Armed Services YMCA had their Mud Run at Little Creek. over 2300 people got “down and dirty” for a cool cause. When the mud and obstacles cleared, Great Friend of the Blog (or F.O.B) Ryan Carroll added another victory to his resume, winning the race in 31:19, while Charlottesville’s Janni Weatherly won the Women’s Title. Wonder what he does with all those trophies? On a serious note, Ryan let us know that while he will be running for Team Hoyt at the Rock and Roll Half Marathon in a few weeks, he surpassed his fund raising of $500 to push one of the strollers and is looking to “raise the bar” to see if he can get donations up to $1000. Whether on the course or for a cause, Ryan Carroll does not like to lose. We’re lucky we can say we know him.

Up on the Peninsula, the Coast Guard 5K in Yorktown showed off some serious speed. Jack Little of Yorktown raced off with the win in 17:16. For the Ladies, Taylor Falvey of York, PA was the Ladies Champ in 20:37. If you like course records, there were two! Stephen Chantry, 56 of Williamsburg broke the age group course record for Men 55-59, third overall! Chantry’s impressive time of 18:06 cut half a minute off the previous mark of 18:40. I saw video of him on the track- That man can fly!
Meanwhile, in the heat and humidity, Ann Hirn, 65 of Portsmouth, showed everyone that age is just a number, breaking the age group course record by over a minute, with a time of 27:21. WOW!

Can’t forget my friends in Williamsburg! The Vineyards 5K this past weekend showed victory to 16 year old, Kurtis Steck, crossing the line in 17:19 and Karen Terry, who we’ve mentioned here many times and a friend of the Blog here, claimed the Women’s Title in a swift 20:08.

What Do You Know?

My Dad liked the radio show on PBS by the same name, but what I found out Sunday at First Landing Park is just as cool. As I was struggling to get my long run in, I saw SO many of you on the trails. I learned that time on your feet will always be worth more than the distance traveled. I also saw some great female runners in Octavia Rinehart, out for a dozen miles, the legendary Betty Brothers, and Olympic Marathon Qualifier, Renee High is gearing up again. Masters Standout, Steve Speirs was out for another 20+ miles that day. So good to see all of these friends looking strong. It was literally a “Who’s Who” of 757 Running in one day.

Okay, Enough Reminiscing- Let’s Race!

There’s action Saturday at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront with the Surfer’s Healing 5k. For my Triathlon brothers and sisters, two weeks until the Spotsylvania YMCA Sprint Triathlon on August 28th, while the ECSC 8K returns to the Beach, while all month long, the Peninsula Track Club has their Tuesday Summer Race Series going on. To learn more, check out tidewaterstriders.com, kalerunning.com, peninsulatrackclub.com, or finalkick.com.

Story Ideas, Then I’m Gone!

Keep the great feedback coming. Love some of the story ideas. I have my eye on our friends at Running, Etc. for a future feature on new shoes (who doesn’t like new shoes!) and some other surprises. I can’t give away all my secrets, right?

As always, you can catch my weekly Blog here on WAVY.com. E-mail me suggestions or comments at astrovp@yahoo.com. Please share with your Running friends, no matter where they live. Thanks for making “On The Run” one of the most popular posts here on WAVY.com. It;s all because of you. Keep Running and I’ll keep Blogging! See you soon…”On The Run!”

See You Next Time!