Tim Unger
On Memorial Day morning at Eglin Air Force Base, the GWTC travel team successfully continued it’s impressive string of out of town racing events. Under warm and sunny skies nearly 1500 people lined up for the 15th annual Gate to Gate 4.4 miles. This race had the GWTC team pitted against one of it’s own. Bill McGuire ran for “the other guys” (McGuire’s Masters team along with John Wimmers, Greg Bilby, Don Henderson, June Klingensmith). Not only did our scorers have to challenge their friend, but they had to do it minus two of the top runners who could not make it. Taking control of the situation, though, were Tim Unger, David Yon and Mary Jean Yon, along with ace-in-the-hole, Anna Pichrtova. The GWTC foursome was powerhouse enough to bring home a Second Place in the Open team competition, edging out Bill and the McGuire’s Masters team by :49 seconds. The winning GWTC and two McGuire’s teams were 3 of 24 teams competing.
Although only four runners scored for the GWTC team, everybody who ran won for the day. The post race party was, once again, an outstanding affair. The band, “Mrs. Jones & Co.” provided music that got everybody up and dancing and even doing the Limbo. Of course, the beer truck was drained-a little too early for some! There was food available after the race, as well as plenty of soft drinks and other refreshments. GWTC runners were definitely the “spirit winners” of the day, too. Comments were made that perhaps next year we should have t-shirts printed to proclaim our “three year road-party championship.”
Many GWTC members and friends were award winners. Malcolm Campbell of Georgia won the race in 21:20. Rudolf Jun was second in 22:05, and FSU’s Cross Country coach Paul Spangler was third in 22:24. Anna Pictrova was the female winner in 25:02. Tim Unger was the Male Master’s winner in 24:17, while Mary Jean Yon was third Female Master in 30:56. David Yon and Bill McGuire both ran 25:55 for first in their age groups and Bob Keller was third in his in 35:54. Stephanie Liles was second in her age group at 31:38 as well as Mara Fair’s mother, Milda who got third in her age group!
There was a rare appearance by Herb Wills who ran 29:16. Sharon Smith (35:58), Kathy Shirley (41:19) and Mara Fair (35:00) ran outstanding races and Lisa Dapko had a 36:57 PR on the course.
For complete results see: http://users.arc.net/results