SPEEDY SPUDS DO WELL AT SPENCER BLACK 5K

The Elkmont Couch Potatoes (Elkmont Trailblazers) finally got to run their goal race on Saturday, June 28 - the Spencer Black 5K held at Blue Springs Elementary.  Unfortunately, due to the circumstances that caused this race to be delayed, many of our group were unable to participate on this date due to previously scheduled vacation plans.  Traditionally, this race is run on Mother's Day weekend but due to the devastation caused by the tornados on April 28 it had to be delayed.  As always, it is great to awesome to see the greater community of Limestone County come together to support those devastated by such disasters.  Not only does the race honor a great individual, who served his community but the proceeds from the Spencer Black 5K go to supporting the track and XC facilities at Blue Springs Elementary (which were damaged during the tornado) as well as funding the Spencer Black Scholarship fund.

  
As the race begins, runners are faced with several small hills as they travel from Hardy Rd to Holt Springer Rd.  As I recall, the course levels out somewhat at it continues around the block onto Fielding Road and then Stanford Rd and then back on Hardy Rd.  The race finishes on the grounds of Blue Springs Elementary.  The runners begin the final mile on the “trail” that goes around the school and finally finish on the track. 

The race is very well organized and runners/walkers were treated to bananas and granola bars, Gatorade, water and pop (or Soda, or Coke, or Soft Drink) at the finish line.

 Now on to the details…….
The Trailblazers had 16 runners at the starting line and 6 of those brought home some hardware as top finishers in their age groups!
 
Terri Hill (1st) – 29:51
Jennie Barnett (2nd) – 32:32
Brenda Morrow (2nd) – 26:45
Dustin Pressnell (2nd) – 24:21
Jason Emerson (2nd) – 23:18
Brad Wales (2nd) – 25:49

Other Trailblazers that ran are:
Gretta Armstrong (33:25)
Regina Clem (34:21)
Melissa Long (36:07)
Brianna Barnett (37:21)
Jessie Pierce (38:50)
Cindy Wales (39:32)
Kelly Compton (39:32)
Vicky Askew (43:01)
Lauri King (59:19)
Tiffany Wilbourn (59:19)

Several others that can often be found training on the Trail in Elkmont participated in the race:

Braden Long (38:05)
Vivien Hembree (26:17)
Amber Walker (28:52)
Deven Hargrove (34:49)
Racheal Hargrove (34:49)
Chala Boyd (34:41)
Ryan Boyd (25:12)
Tee Boyd (24:55)
Trevor Ingle (39:55)
Shay Hudson (21:39)
Terry Boyd (29:53)

The overall race was led and won by Clements’ own, Mack Van Wagnen with a time of 17:44!  Congrats on the win!

Submitted by Gretta Armstrong