Columbus Christian Academy classmates Chris Webber and Glenn Misiak made sure they knew what they were getting into Saturday.
Prior to the Columbus Pilgrimage 5-K race, the two surveyed the downtown course Friday on wheels to see what they would need to do to finish it first.
“There was a hill in the middle,” Webber said. “I said, ‘Let’s just work on that hill.’ ”
The 16-year-olds paced each other to the finish line, where Webber finished in first with a time of 18 minutes, 45 seconds. Misiak was right behind his friend at 18:47.
In a six-runner pack in the lead in the middle of the race with the hill just ahead, the duos’ preparation paid off.
“We drove the course and we picked a spot where we thought we could beat the competition,” Misiak said, “and we took it.”
Louisville’s Andrew Coleman, also 16, finished third. Webber’s pace of 6:02 and Misiak’s pace of 6:03 set the tempo for the field.
It was the first 5-K for Misiak in a year-and-a-half thanks to a partial anterior cruciate ligament tear he had to let heal. He ran a personal-best time and wasn’t surprised.
“I’ve been training with Chris, and he’s one of the best in the area,” Misiak said. “I was feeling pretty good.”
Columbus’ Brooke McCroskey was the first female to finish. The 23-year-old finished 15th overall (22:08). McCroskey ran a 7-minute, 8-second mile.
Columbus firefighter Steve Loden finished 82nd overall, running the race in 32:02. What doesn’t show up in his finishing time on paper was the 25 pounds of his firefighting suit he ran in. Loden, 39, placed 44th among the male competitors. Five-year-old Craig Loden was the youngest runner. He finished in 29:14, a 9:25 pace.
The Lodens were one of the impressive showings for a 7 a.m. start time at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center by the Columbus Riverwalk.
Visit Columbus CEO Nancy Carpenter was impressed with race organizer Melissa Atkins. Atkins diverted the praise to Carpenter.
“It’s huge for the city,” Carpenter said, “huge for the city. It’s already been a good day. I feel like it should be later than 7:30 (a.m.). We have people running from Connecticut, Kentucky, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma … ”
For the Pilgrimage, Carpenter said the city had visitors from 29 states. Aside from the 5-K and Half Marathon races, the Pilgrimage had home tours, carriage rides, and double decker buses.
The near 400 racers added to the big events.
“We said we wanted to do it big and (Carpenter) said, ‘Let’s go for it’ and it’s paid off” Atkins said. “It’s great for our town. That’s why we do it. Plus, it’s great for our health.”
There was plenty of local flair in the female 40-44 age group. All seven were from Columbus, West Point, Hamilton, and Caledonia and finished in 47:03 or less, including Columbus’ Brandi Odom with a 27:45 finish.
Runners came from all over Mississippi, including Amory, Belden, and Southaven. No one came farther than 72-year-old Tom Baker, of Oakdale, Connecticut. Baker finished in 25:37, 30th among the male runners.
Patricia Baker, 78, of Oakdale, finished in 35:18.
Columbus had two 70-plus-year-old runners. Ann Mellott, 77, finished in 37:26. Charles Bond, 79, ran it in 31:24.
Four Columbus boys, ages 11-13, finished as the top four in the 10-14 age group. Todd Sharp, 12, ran it in 20:41. He finished seventh overall and first in that age group.
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