Sunday's
temperatures weren't exactly ideal for
marathoners, but that didn't keep 50
participants from crossing the finish line
in the Seventh Annual Carrollton Charity
Road Race.
"I was
worried about the runners for the past
week and a half," said Race Director Craig
Douglas. "That's when it started getting
really warm and I became concerned about
(Sunday)."
Douglas
was pleased to declare there were no major
health issues during Sunday's event, which
include 5-kilometer, 10K and 20K races, as
well as the marathon.
"It was a
real battle with the elements," Douglas
said. "We started the marathon and 20K
races at 6 a.m. and it was already 76
degrees."
Despite
the conditions, Durham, N.C., resident
Mike Aldrink was able to defend his men's
marathon title with a respectable time of
2 hours, 40 minutes, 27 seconds. Matawan's
Bonnie Sexton won the
women's marathon with a time of 3:23:53.
Some
notable area finishers in the men's
marathon included Midland's Mike
Ehrmantraut (2:43.30) in second place,
Frankenmuth's Dietrich Bronner (3:12.46)
in fourth place and Saginaw's Ralph
Worthing (3:35.17) in ninth place.
The 5K
race was highlighted by the performance of
18-year old Andrew Tucker of Saginaw.
Tucker, the only wheelchair participant in
this year's event, clocked an impressive
time of 23:17.
"We have
a really flat course here," Douglas said.
"He had to really grind it out.
"As the
first wheelchair participant in the 5K, he
now becomes the record-holder, too, which
is pretty neat."
Linden's
Kellen Duke won the men's 5K with a time
of 18:20, while 13-year old Megen Rapp of
Midland won the women's 5K in 20:49.
Justin
Kessler of Royal Oak won the men's 10K in
37:28. Pontiac's Maggy Zidar was the
women's 10K winner with a time of 49:55.
Clio's
Greg Thomas won the men's 20K race in
1:18:26, while Kirsten Sellereit of
Seattle won the women's 20K in 1:38:26.
Proceeds
from the event go toward the East Side
Soup Kitchen, the Carrollton Education
Foundation and the Carrollton Lions Club.
