The Latest Running News and Notes in Hampton Roads from Sportswrap, Running Reporter, Jon “Flex” Leiding

Hot, Heat, & Heated
This past weekend was light as most races were on the Fourth of July with both the YMCA 5K at Mount Trashmore and the Yorktown Independence Day 8K event.

Over at the YMCA 5k, Ryan Foster raced away with victory in 16:50, while the always speedy Hollie Heimer, a good friend of the blog led the ladies with a swift 19:31.

Yorktown was “smokin” with fast times as age group records fell in NINE different categories, including overall winner, Caleb Doan, of Virginia Beach in 25:38. Yorktown’s Crystal Witte was the Ladies Champ in 32:49. Along with them, a big “shout out” to NEW record holders Mark Tompkins, Mike Nestor, Henry Gleisburg, the legend, Williamsburg’s Rick Platt, Rachel Rabbitt, standout Connie Glueck, along with Female Master, Mercedes Castillo-D’Amico.

It’s NOT My Fault!

Many of you struggled thru the first week of July with temperatures near 100 degrees and some even said that I didn’t do my part by asking the gang in the WAVY Weather Center to cool things off a bit. I got the same answer as usual: they don’t create the weather in Hampton Roads, they forecast the weather. That said, I hope you’ve been staying hydrated for runs longer than thirty minutes.

Feeling VERY Olympic!

The official roster was released of the 530 U.S. Olympic team members recently and while fifteen were from Virginia, six special Olympians claim Hampton Roads as their home. Joining standout performers, Gabby Douglas in Gymnastics and 2008 400m Gold medalist, LaShawn Merritt, “Good Luck” to Hampton’s Te’rea Brown in the Women’s 400m Hurdles, Hampton’s Franceena McCorory in the Women’s 400m, Norfolk’s Debbie Dunn in Relays, and Virginia Beach’s Caroline Nichols for Field Hockey. The Games begin Friday, July 27th in London, England with Opening Ceremonies on WAVY TV 10. The World is watching!

Now Let’s Get To It Closer To Home!

This week starts the Tuesday Night, Tidewater Striders Summer Series Runs at Norfolk’s Botanical Gardens. There’s always a good time for those fun runs. Have No Fear! Friday the Thirteenth is almost here. Wednesdays in the Outer Banks, the Brindley Beach folks are offering up Wednesday Morning 5K Runs for the next few weeks.

How about Friday, the Thirteenth? It’s not a spooky day, just another great day to get a race in the books with the Triskaidekaphobia 5K Run in Williamsburg. If you want to take the trip to Richmond Saturday, the Project Athena Relay Marathon, where 4 team members run a 10K loop. Those of you who were excited about the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge Run, originally scheduled for this weekend, will have to hold back until August. When I know the exact details, I will certainly share with you.

Feedback Time!

I really enjoy meeting my friends in Running. There are some characters but, I have been lucky to expand my “social network”. If you ever see me at a race, don’t be shy- please say “hi”. You will never know who you get to meet in this world if you never try. Thanks for all the very cool ideas, stories, and crazy anecdotes you send me. Keep ‘Em Coming!

Maybe I’ll catch you soon…”On The Run!”

On The Run with Sportswrap running Reporter, Jon “Flex” Leiding, exclusively on WAVY.com.