Running motivation can come in different forms.

Yet runners who participated in Sunday’s Tallahassee Marathon shared in the excitement surrounding its return after last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19.

“It was a great day and it couldn’t have felt better,” said Tallahassee’s Charlie Johnson, 42, who placed third overall.

“It was good to be around your friends again and other people. It was perfect weather and the course does a great job of showcasing Tallahassee and the community.”

More than 800 runners participated in the marathon, half marathon and relay that started across the street from the Capitol and ended in CollegeTown.

The course featured stretches past local parks, neighborhoods, city landmarks, Florida A&M and Florida State and only moderate change in elevation.

Sunday marked the 48th anniversary of the event.

 

Bryan Moresman, 36, a multiple winner, again captured top honors. The New York resident covered the 26.2-mile course in 2:28:44, averaging 5:41 per mile.

Trevor Sununu, 26 – running on two hours of sleep after his night shift as a baker at Panera Bread – placed second at 2:44:43, followed by Johnson at 2:45:20.

“It was fun, fun, fun. I just tried to enjoy it but still struggled a bit towards the end,” said Sununu, who ran in the Jacksonville Marathon in December and won the Turkey Trot 15K on Thanksgiving.

Tallahassee’s Melanie Leitman, 37, an accomplished triathlete, was second behind Kozulina at 3:31:43 in her marathon debut.

Leitman registered for the 13.1-mile half marathon and had competed in the event previously. However, on Friday, she decided to test the marathon distance, which is also a qualifying course for the Boston Marathon.

“I kind of wanted to see what my body could do. I was in no-man’s land, but I am pleased. … It’s such a great race, a great course and the organizers do such a great job. It’s one of the crown jewels of Tallahassee’s athletic events.”

 

Former Florida State runner Stanley Linton, 28, captured the half marathon in 1:05:07.

Ella Schwarz, 61, competed in her 19th half marathon – one away from her personal goal of 20.

Schwarz, a self-described “gym rat” who started running seven years ago following the encouragement of a co-worker, admitted with a laugh that she’s also motivated by an event’s perks.

“I like the medals and I love being outdoors,” said Schwarz, who ran/walked the course and finished in 3:05:52.

He ran the marathon in 2017, three previous half marathons and covered Sunday’s half marathon in 2:14:37.

Laudadio applauded the event’s atmosphere and credited his son for helping motivate him. The pair trained together before his son recently left for basic training.

“I’d run behind him as he rode his bicycle, and he’d encouraged me to keep up,” Laudadio said.

“It was great (Sunday) in the sense that I kind of pictured him ahead of me, telling me not to slack off. It was also fun, great to see several people out there I knew, both running and volunteering.”

Sheryl Rosen, the race director for the past five years, the Gulf Winds Track Club and a spirited cast of volunteers helped return to the event to its coveted spot among local races following last year’s cancellation due to the pandemic.

“Sheryl has more than come into her own as a race director,” said David Yon, a veteran runner and member of GWTC.

“The marathon is the most difficult race to direct on the running calendar and Sheryl has risen to the challenge. She has a calm organized way of bringing everyone together. Tallahassee is very fortunate to have so many caring and giving people.”

MARATHON TOP FINISHERS

Bryan Morseman, 36, (Wheeler, NY), 2:28:44

Trevor Sununu, 26, (Tallahassee), 2:44:43

Charlie Johnson, 42, (Tallahassee), 2:45:20

Chris McNeece, 40, (Madison, MS), 2:53:45

Mickey Moore, 51, (Tallahassee), 2:56:52

Tarik Brahmi, 45, (Palatine, IL), 2:57:21

Rhys Noda, 19, (Hollywood), 2:57:39

Orinthal Striggles, 46, (Columbia, SC), 2:58:05

Kaeden Olson, 18, (West Palm Beach), 2:59:41

Jon Maner, 48, (Tallahassee), 3:06:28

TOP WOMEN FINISHERS

Tamara Kozulina, 46, (Clermont), 3:24:14

Melanie Leitman, 37, (Tallahassee), 3:31:43

Kristen Berger, 55, (Gibsonia, PA), 3:34:37

Gabriella Passidomo, 30, (Tallahassee), 3:38:19

Monica Toth, 33, (Tallahassee), 3:44:48

HALF MARATHON OVERALL

Stan Linton, 28, (Crawfordville) 1:05:07

David Too, 27, (Tallahassee), 1:07:30

David Barney, 27, (Tallahassee), 1:10:31

Alberto Mena, 23, (New York), 1:10:35

Chris O’Kelley, 28, (Tallahassee), 1:15:30

Tristan Cravello, 22, (Tallahassee), 1:16:43

Ryan Bausback, 23, (Sarasota), 1:18:44

Hawthorne Hay, 19 (Tallahassee), 1:20:58

Zach Deveau, 34, (Tallahassee), 1:22:12

Purity Munene, 35, (Columbia, SC), 1:22:43

TOP WOMEN FINISHERS

Purity Munene, 35, (Columbia, SC), 1:22:43

Alyssa Terry, 28, (Tallahassee), 1:33:20

Sophie Harkins, 29, (Atlanta), 1:33:27

Meredith Cox, 20, (Tallahassee), 1:33:28

Jane Eiselstein, 18, (Lookout Mountain, Ga), 1:33:35

Reach Jim Henry at jjhenry@tallahassee.com.