New Records Set in Baytree 8K
Decisions were made by people throughout the South Georgia/North Florida area and people came in good numbers to 2nd Annual Baytree 8K held on July 4th in Valdosta. The number of people went from 144 in 2006 to 181 in 2007, over 25% increase. Many of the new participants came in the form of walkers; people who walked to celebrate Independence Day. Runners, wheelchair and walking athletes alike covered the course in record numbers and even some record times. Smiles were frequent, accomplishments were realized and a tradition started for many of the people who participated in the 2007 Baytree 8K. Will you be a part of the 2008 event?
Events like Baytree 8K do not happen overnight. Events like this take months to prepare. A new record number of sponsors stepped forward to help defray the costs involved. The news of the event was spread throughout the community by word of mouth, emails, web pages, magazines, calendars, news articles, radio and flyers. Participants made plans to be in the event, sent in their entry forms and trained to be ready on event day. Plans were made for the singing of the National Anthem, an Honor Guard offered their service and Valdosta Mayor John Fretti was asked to be the Official Starter of the event. Baytree Animal Hospital and The Home Depot allowed participants use of their parking lots to add to a safe event. A local Boy Scout Troup offered their service to man the water station to assure fluids to the participants on the course. Retired Veterans offered their time and energy to stand watch at major intersections along the course to ensure the safety of the participants. Veterans offered their personal vehicles to lead and follow the participants during the event. Cyclists rode along to add flavor, encouragement and safety. Even an individual offered himself as a musical distraction along Patterson at VSU. The Valdosta Police and Sheriff Departments planned flawlessly how to protect the participants as they moved along the course safely. The train system worked to alter their busy schedule to accommodate the people that cross Baytree railroad tracks twice. All of these items take time and cooperation to organize. Without the willingness of all these different individuals and groups to work with the common goal of presenting an event worthy of Valdostas winning tradition, then no one wins.
Baytree 8K is very proud of the support it received from the sponsors. A number of sponsors assisted for the second year, while the event also landed a number of new, first year sponsors. Sponsors supporting the family event for the second year at the Platinum Level include the Valdosta Daily Times, NewsTalk 105.9 FM and Get Active - Running and more. This year, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Sports Commission jumped on as a Platinum Level sponsor which was a great deal of help. One of the first sponsors to sign on both years is ENT & Allergy Associates of South Georgia. They have been a Bronze Level sponsor for both years. Blanton & Griffin Insurance Agency sponsored the 3rd mile for the last two years. This year, WinnDixie MarketPlace, MickiK Photography and Advanced Portable Toilet Service became mile marker sponsors, so that each mile now has sponsors. Boardwalk has been a big help for the first two years and Guardian Bank made a very kind donation this year. Proceeds from the event go to the Lowndes Veterans Council therefore Veterans in Lowndes area will benefit from all the support of individuals and sponsors on this most Patriotic Day. After the 2006 event, a donation of $1000 was presented to the Council, with the support of the sponsors and participants; we look forward to a record donation amount this year.
New records were the standard for the day. A new course record of 28:15.3 was set by John Seppala, breaking the previous record set by Veteran Dave Bernacki in 2006 of 31:33.0 for the 8K or 5 mile distance. Dave Bernacki is still the Masters Course Record holder with his 2006 winning time. A record number of Veterans running in the event climbed from 24 to 26. The new record of active military participating is now 21. The new record of total participants is now 181. New Female Age Group records include: 11&Under Mary Alice Smoot [41:18.1], 12 to 14 Reanne Harris [54:37.5], 15 to 19 Kathy York [40:54.3], 20 to 24 Polly Bobseine [41:08.1], 25 to 29 Brandi Faircloth [39:21.7], 30 to 34 Beth DeLoach [37:46.6], 50 to 54 Linda Wood [43:12.7], 55 to 59 Carol Herndon [1:00:33] and in the 70 to 74 age group, missing by one second of equaling the record was Frances Smoot [1:00:12]. New Male Age Group records include: 12 to 14 Hunter Honeycutt [33:58.3], 15 to 19 Chris Gaither [30:11.4], 25 to 29 Masked Avenger [31:10.2], 30 to 34 Rodney Elliot [30:43.2], 35 to 39 John Seppala [28:15.3], 40 to 44 Bret Wagenhorst [33:42.3], 45 to 49 Mike McFadden [34:41.5], 55 to 59 Frank McLeod [36:13.4], 60 to 64 Bob Bowen [42:02.6], 65 to 69 Dorian Osborne [34:59.0] and in the 75 to 79 age group, Kent Wiley of Sarasota, FL [48:14.7]. In the wheelchair division, Charlie Mizell set a new course record with a 48:17.7.
Other events coming up include a series of Cross Country races that are available every Thursday evening starting at 7 PM at Freedom Park. The first Thursday is July 12th and ends on August 9th. There is a 1 mile event every week and the 5K event immediately following the 1 mile. This event is open to all-comers; there is no cost, no frill event. Middle School, High School and College runners as well as fitness runners of all ages would certainly benefit from the opportunity this presents. You are invited to come and enjoy. This series is only available with the cooperation of the Valdosta-Lowndes Park and Recreation Department and Get Active Running and more.
Winnersville Triathlon will be held on 09/08/07 and starts at 7:30 AM. Flyers are available now. The distances include 0.25 mile swim, 14 mile bike and 3.6 mile run. Many are in training for this local Valdosta event; you too can be a part. Listen to NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA on Wednesday the 11th when this triathlon will be the topic of conversation starting at 6PM.
There are weekly, free activities for the runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7AM for runs from 1.5 to 8 plus mile runs. Thursday morning is a womens ONLY run, and the other runs are all-comers. Cyclists can meet for rides on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out the web page at
www.azaleacitycyclists.com.
Do you have results you want to share about yourself, a loved one or friend? Send, email or call the information in to me at Get Active Running and more.
If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an email and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Email getactive.val@earthlink.net or join the GetActiveSouthGeorgia yahoo group. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio show on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7PM on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA to receive additional information or to ask questions.
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