On The Run for 2012!

Post Holiday Blues are Not Here!

Happy New Year! If this is your first visit to our weekly Running Blog on WAVY.com, welcome! Each week, we try to keep you informed, inspired, and “in the know” about races and Runners in the “757″. Visit us often and please hit us up with some feedback.

While many people were content to start the New Year, some of you hit the streets of Portsmouth on new years eve with the Beat The Ball 5K. It started at 11:35pm, so you could’ve ran literally, from one year to the next. Hollie Heimer, of Chesapeake, was the Women’s Champ for the 3.1 mile race in 19:44, while Viriginia Beach’s Kevin O’Sullivan was the Overall Winner in 16:05. just like that, the New season had started.

2012 was in full swing, hours later in Hampton at the SENTARA New Year’s Day 5K. Sixteen Year old Speedster, Dylan Sydnor, of Yorktown made it look easy, winning in 17:05, while Friend of the Blog, Karen Terry was the Fastest Female in 18:45.

At Mount Trashmore, 2012 had a party flavor wuith the Hair of the Dog 5K. Not only did this race have strong efforts from winners, Chesapeake’s Micah Ellington in 16:44 and Mollie Turner with an 18:44,, but they had a “formalwear” division, featuring Runners in “New Years Eve” gear. Wonder if anyone brought champagne on the course?

Last weekend, the Tidewater Striders had their Distance Series Races going on for those training for the Shamrock Half or Full Marathon in March. With plenty of good weather at First Landing State Park, Paul Hudson, from Lilburn, GA won the 10K run in 42:18, with Karen Lindauer taking the Ladies Title in 46:52. The 20K went to local standout, Ryan Carroll of Portsmouth, covering the 12.4 Miles in smoking 1:10:17, while Chesapeake’s Hollie Heimer was at it again, as the Fastest female, crossing the line in 1:25:17.

Feeling Very Olympic!

While we were zipping through Hampton Roads’ streets and parks the last two weeks, many of you went south, to hit the Disney World Half and Full Marathon. It’s a cool destination race, as the Marathon sends you through all the Disney Parks. For those of you who took the trip, we missed you here, but hope you had fun.

Renee High Wins 2012 Disney World Marathon

Virginia Beach’s Renee High, a good friend of the Blog and outstanding distance Runner, was the Overall female Winner of the Marathon in a stellar 2:48:35! It’s a short week of excitement for her as she is scheduled to run Saturday in the US Women’s Olympic Marathon Trial Race in Houston. Along with William and Mary Graduate and former Track Coach,Katherine Newberry, they are two Ladies from Hampton Roads to qualify for the race.

Katherine Newberry ready for 2012 Olympic Trials

Both ladies are no strangers to the Olympic Trials. Renee ran the Marathon trials in 2008 with a 2:48:26, while Katherine has qualified from 2004, 2008, and this year in different distances. Newberry is considered a dark horse to make the squad of three with her Marathon qualifying time of 2:35:23. From all your friends “On The Run”, we wish you ladies “Fast Times!”

Don’t Forget the Guys!

Ryan Hall- Marathon Ready!

On the Men’s Side, we got a taste of greatness, when Ryan Hall ran the Rock & Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach this past September as a tune up for the Chicago Marathon in October and this Saturday’s Qualifier. I was lucky enough to talk with Ryan at the finish and he said he’s ready to give it his best effort. His best just happens to be the fastest time for an American, with a Boston Marathon time of 2:04:58. He told me he’s made changes over the last year and has said several times that he’s “not afraid to fail, so he’s not afraid to take risks”. He is the favorite to qualify to win the race and head to the Summer Olympics in London. Watch WAVY-TV 10 Saturday from 3-5pm for Same Day coverage.

The very next day in Houston, Hampton Roads will be represented at the Houston Half Marathon as Ryan Carroll takes on the field, running for OAR to honor a special guy with Autism, ASHTON! Donations can still be made. Good Luck to all of you who made the trip!

Ryan Carroll Making a Difference!

Pull out your Spikes at Chesapeake’s Bell’s Mill Park for the first of three off road runs in the “Mud In Your Eye” Series from our Great Friend of the Blog, Ann Hupp and Mettle Events. The 5K run starts at 9am Saturday. Meantime, Mount Trashmore is the southside spot for racing with the Frosty 5K, at the same time. Head to Newport News Park and you’ll go farther with the I Am 10K and One Mile Fun run. Check mettleevents.com, colonialroadrunners.org, tidewaterstriders.com, or peninsulatrackclub.com for more details.

Thanks for making “On the Run” one of the more popular stops on WAVY.com and the place in the “757′ to get your Running info. Drop me a line with a story idea or feedback here. Whatever your training for, I hope you’re doing well. Maybe, I’ll catch you… “On The Run!”

See You "On The Run!