* But first congratulations to Whitney Bevins Lazarra on her 2:40:12 at the Chicago Marathon. And Mike Morgan’s umpteenth 2:14 marathon.
The M2M Juevos Mas Grande award should clearly go to our mate Jerrod Anzalone, and thanks for making me look like a genius. But wait, it wasn’t a slam dunk.
Got to give it up to Jeremy Morris. He was sporting the biggest pair at the gun, taking it out in a fast 5:50 pace, come get me suckas! The chase pack included Ryan Regnier, Kaci Lickteig, Jerrod, and a ringer (Jon Kuehler of Denver, Colorado) sporting a Team Nebraska singlet. I predicted a darkhorse, well played I must admit, but not this time.
The group caught Jeremy around mile 7, Ryan took the point and headed out with it. He’s got a big set too. Accordianed the lead to between 4 and 8 minutes, the dwindled chase pack going through the half way point in 1:22 ish. Jerrod continued his solid pacing and emerged as the contender over the last 11 miles. The “mystery Team Nebraska runner” was still hanging around but would stop at each aid station for ~ :30 before sprinting back to and past, worked for a while but it is hard to battle consistent pacing with that strategy.
As Jerrod hit the marathon split in ~ 2:50 he saw Regnier’s figure coming back to him, also clearly suffering and interspersing walks. Buyoed and determined, Jerrod caught, passed, and never looked back until crossing the tape. Damned proud of you mate! And Jeremy, and Pete Kostelnick and Kyle Clouston too. And Ashley Schurman. How about that gal! Second overall female behind the legend that is Kaci Lickteig. She ran a 12 minute personal best for 50K and was happily teary eyed after finishing. Proud of all of our NRGE Mates! If Kyle’s race did not make it mathematically impossible for anyone to catch him in the USATF LDR Grand Prix then his run at the Goatz 50K in a couple of weeks will seal it tighter than a clam’s bum. Let the tears and excuses flow like wine!
And an Honorary Big Balls Mention goes to the Lincoln Running Co Racing Team’s Mixed squad. I had mentioned last week that the pair of sub 4 milers I had running a few years ago made it unlikely our time would ever be matched. Hubris! Had I considered that the remainder of that team was a 50+ male, two masters females, and a decent local 5Ker, I should have anticipated that LRC would load up and Go Get It. And they did. Good on them! Their mixed team not only took the co-ed record but also handed the Team Nebraska Open Men a solid spanking in the process, taking the overall win by 10 minutes. They’ll likely square Team Nebraska’s Open Women’s mark next year to completely re-color the relay record books blue and yellow.
Jeremy has no fear of the field. This is why he is a Good Mate. Word on the trail is that this was the last year for the M2M 50K, if that’s the case we took it out in NRGE style. *this photo courtesy of GDPhotography. Gary captured lots of great pics from the morning at: http://www.gdougherty.com/m2m50k2014
Jerrod emerged from the shadows of his more notorious mates and better publicized opponents to take the Overall. Celebrated his birthday with a win, nice. When Ben Cohoon asked me who my pick was, it was our boy that very few had ever heard of. They should know him now.
The Diminuitive One giving the fellas all they wanted finished 2nd Overall, only 4 minutes behind Jerrod.
Linda cheering in Ryan Regnier to a 3rd Overall. Tough as nails dude, tough as nails.
Fifty year old Todd Nott was 8th Overall. Shirtless as always, the USATF Membership data base indicating he does not represent any clubs in Nebraska. I like Todd, one of the most affable studs around.
Team Nebraska’s ringer finished 4th. He’s not listed on the club roster but Todd is. I’m calling on the TN webmaster to clean up their roster. Too many of my NRGE athletes still listed there and too many others that retired long ago or no longer choose to run under the red and white. Hey, somebody has to point these indescrepancies out. You think my popularity stems only from incredible good looks and scintillating charms?
El Jefe! Finishing 10th Overall. Your 2014 USATF LDR Grand Prix Champion! Kyle Clouston has been In It To Win It since day one. Taking on all distances and surfaces and challengers. The format will change next year but Kyle will Always be the first Champ and we’ll always be proud of him!
Ashley Schurman finished 21 seconds ahead of 2nd overall masters male Miguel Ordorica for 11th Overall and 2nd Female.
Jerrod, Ashley, and Pete celebrate a Great Team Effort.
Pete and Jeremy and Kyle and Jerrod and Linda and me, loooong before the costumed mortals started pouring in. I could not be prouder to have this group of bad assess wear the Nebraska Run Guru Elite kit.
About Author
