100Triathlons: Real Florida 5k10k in Wekiwa

Saturday was a trail race in my favorite training ground, Wekiwa Springs State Park. Being on the Board of Wekiva Wilderness Trust, I help gather the sponsors for this race. This was the 32nd running and we had our biggest field yet. I went to Panera at 6:30 AM to get the bagel donation and returned by 7:00. People were already gathering for the 8:30 start; 10k goes first (me) and then the 5k four minutes later.

At the gun, I surged right away because passing is difficult so after 1/2 mile, I was passed by about 10 people. A few more passed me as we got to the Tramway section and then I began passing a few back. It was about 85' and sunny so people began wilting after the 5k split. I maintained my 9:30 pace, occasionally dropping to 9:05. The hilly sections began to slow me a bit but I felt myself picking up the pace at 4 miles. I began passing 5k walkers with a mile to go, especially in the uphill sections. I crossed the line with a time of 1:00:39, good for first in my age group and 26th out of 73 overall.

Brian Sharon blistered the 10k with a 40:30 time and Tim Hay won 60-64 with Jim Payne right behind him. Gary Cohen won his age group in the 5K. Jeff Cuddeback came to cheer on Tim and everyone had a great time.