BTC Half Marathon - 02/21/09
Race Recap:
Half Marathon Recap:
- Well the weather was great for a long run, cool and overcast. Before the race,
I talked to the McFarland crew and Galvin said he had done a practice
marathon at 6 minute pace a few weeks ago and the two McFarland athletes
competing today had helped pace him through his time trial. To know one's
surprise Galvin won the half again in 1:12:34 followed by his fellow
McFarlanders, Alfonso Cisneros (1:14:00) and Alcala (1:14:19).
- Perennial BTC half marathon bridesmaid David Bacus ran 1:18:28 and was
followed by Neil Small in 1:21:46.
- Before the race, I spoke to Tim Anderson (50-54 age group winner) and
thanked him for pacing my son Christopher in a number of recent races. He and
his friend where planning on going sub 1:25 (6:29 pace) and that was exactly
what I wanted Christopher to run. Then the trio went out and did what they set
out to do. I would like to thank Tim and his friend for making Christopher's run
fun for him. So often it gets out on the course and runs the whole way alone.
Plus it is nice that they let him beat them at the finish!
6 Anderson Chris 1:24:11 6:26 3/8 6/131 M 1319
7 CRUZ JAVIER 1:24:12 6:26 1/19 7/131 M 4549
8 ANDERSON TIM 1:24:13 6:26 1/13 8/131 M 5054
- Following in Galvin's footsteps, Shawna Roundtree is making winning a habit
too. This year she came in 16th overall in a time of 1:29:15 (6:49 pace) and
was followed by Carl Hatley in 1:33:12.
- So other finishers that I recognize are:
- 23 Little David 1:35:46 - South High runner
- 92 BARTON BOB 1:55:16 - local DA
- 156 COWLES DAVID 2:16:27 - Driller teacher and son of Coach Cowles
- 186 Whitehead Becky 2:30:31 - over 70 year old triathlete
- 187 BRIGGS JENNY 2:30:41 - local musician
- 208 JOHNSON SHELLEY 2:43:47 - I ran/walked the last 4 miles with her and her friend.
- 209 REDMOND MARYANN 2:43:48 - I ran/walked the last 4 miles with her and her friend.
- 2009 Age Group Results HERE.
5K Recap:
- What I like about the BTC Half Marathon races is that the 5k has a different
start location and goes the opposite direction. This is really good for the
halfers, so they do not get sucked along at to fast a pace. Plus you know that
everyone running with you is doing the same event.
- The 5k was won by a Mcfarland runner also. Eduardo Bautista won by three
minutes, in a time of 17:19. He was followed in by Freddie Bingham in 20:20.
- The talk of the 5k was that the 8th place finisher and first women was an 11
year old! Of course, she is no ordinary 11 year old because her mom is Sally
Baker (local runner and trainer) and her older sister, Sarah Baker is the two
time SEYL cross country champ. Her 23:09 (7:30 pace) is time that would
make her a varsity runner on any local high school squad. Her mom told me
that she was 3rd women entering Yokuts and she told Maggie that if she
sprinted, she might win the women's title. With those words from her mom, she
sprinted off and won the race.
- 2009 Age Group Results HERE.
Race Preview:
The February Half (35th annual) is an out and back course running West from
Yokut's Park in Bakersfield, CA on the bike path along the Kern River. A fast
course with no hills to speak of, you will enjoy running along the Kern River
Parkway, which has been landscaped in such a way to preserve a riparian zone that
is natural for this area. Click HERE to view a course map for February's Half
Marathon. Race starts at 8am.
Last year Galvin Gonzales (former McFarland great) ran 1:12:11 for the win and
Shawna Roundtree (BC athlete) won the women's race. I was at the Clovis Sprint
Carnival and missed covering last year's race but hope to cover this year's. I will try
to shoot the half marathon and then I have to go to the Lee Adams Open at CSUB.
Stuff for You:
Awards will go 3 deep in 5 year age groups for both the 5K and half marathon at
each event. The half marathon finishers get a finisher's medal that interlocks with
the finisher's medal from the other half marathon that year. Quality long sleeve
shirt. Finisher's certificates for those who finish both halves. In addition, people
who run both halves in a single calendar year will receive a special giveaway (the
2007 special giveaway was a light weight running jacket).
Two Halves Make a Whole:
If you complete both half marathons in the same year, you will automatically be
counted as having completed the "Two Halves Make a Whole." The only awards
here are for overall fastest combined times. Your finisher's medal for each half
marathon is actually half of the total finisher's medal. Fit the 2 together for the year
to get your complete medal. Finisher's certificates will be sent to those who
complete both halves.
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