Thompson, Gautier Win Superhero 10K Race

There are several races on the Chattanooga Track Club schedule that are known for their toughness.  You know, those with multiple hills that challenge each person’s ability and determination.

The Chattanooga Chase, Missionary Ridge and Signal Mountain Pie Run are just three in that elite group, but the Affordable Botox Superhero races are fast joining the party.

Even though these are two of the most recent additions to the CTC schedule, they are tough and hilly and they keep most runners honest.

The Superhero races, which include a 10K and a 5K, were both held at the Enterprise South Nature Park on Saturday morning and while it was somewhat humid, the temperatures were somewhat cooler than in recent weeks and the skies were just a tad bit overcast.

And while these two races both attracted less than 100 participants, the ones who ran had a good time and they got a great workout in the process.

The worst part of this event is that it has an uphill start with the first mile and a half of the 6.2-miler going up. 

The best part is that both finish on a long downhill, but most runners are so tired at that point, there’s nothing left in their tank and they’re just thrilled to be finished.

Dean Thompson and Jan Gautier, both outstanding Grand Masters competitors with years of elite running experience, were the overall winners as Thompson crossed the finish line all alone with a time of 36 minutes and 36 seconds.

Gautier was the first female as she finished ninth overall among 60 finishers with a time of 44:29.

Ken Curran was the overall runner-up in 36:58 while Ryan Shrum was third in 38:18.  Tripp McCallie and Mark Malecky completed the top five with times of 38:28 and 42:20, respectively.

The 51-year-old Gautier was all alone as well at the end while Samantha Murray was the second female as she claimed 16^th in 46:54.

Lisa Logan was third overall in 47:13 while Janis Kelman and Karen Leavitt followed with times of 47:35 and 51:07.

Dalton’s 54-year-old Eoltan Szabo was the winner in the 3.1-mile race as he posted a time of 20:53 while 14-year-old Peyton Anderson was the female 5K winner in 24:58 as she finished sixth among the 87 who completed the distance.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Kids on the Block and always attracts runners and walkers who are dressed up their favorite superhero outfits.

Thompson will celebrate his 51^st birthday on Sept. 11 and right now he’s focused on a half-ironman in Austin, Texas at the end of October.  He’s normally much faster than his winning time would indicate, but that’s not the most important thing at this point.

“It hurts to race when you haven’t done it in a while, but I’m really happy with my results today,” he said while waiting for the next runner to finish.

“I’m triathlon training right now and not in great running shape, but getting under 37 minutes was my goal today.  I was about 40 seconds faster than last year, so I’m happy about that.

“I might have been able to run a little faster, but I just wanted to put out a good, hard effort and that’s what I did,” the friendly Run For God race executive added with a smile.

Curran is a 25-year-old Chattanoogan who probably had an advantage in this race as he works at the Volkswagen plant and runs on this very course almost every day during his lunch break.

He knows the hills like the back of his hand, so he knows how to maximize his effort on a tough route.

“I run here all the time and normally do at least one loop during my lunch break.  It’s a beautiful course and it’s mostly shaded.  I wanted to break 37 minutes and I’m pretty sure that I did, but I used Dean as a motivator by just trying to keep in sight.

“I hit my goal on the head as all went pretty much according to plan.  But it helps to know the course as you just have to master the hills.  And what goes up must eventually come down,” he added.

Shrum served as the race director for the Missionary Ridge race two weeks ago and he’s been really busy at work as sales and service manager at Icemakers, Inc., an organization that sells and services ice machines.

Like Thompson, Shrum is normally faster, but has just not been able to do the training in recent weeks to justify faster times.

“That was rough as I’m not in the shape I’d like to be in for a race like this.  I haven’t been as consistent with my training as I need to be.  Today was an alright race, but I’m not happy with my time.

“I was hoping to be closer to 38 minutes, but I gave it all I had.  I’m doing another 10K tomorrow at Fall Creek Falls as part of a triathlon relay, so I had that in the back of my mind as well,” he concluded with a smile.

Saturday was the first time that Gautier had run this race.  She too has had a busy week as school started at Baylor where she’s a teacher, coach and dorm parent.

“I knew what I was in for, but there were times when I just had to back off and totally concentrate on getting up the hills,” the slender 51-year-old blonde explained.

“The other girl (Murray) went out fast and it took me almost a mile to catch her, but I’m just thankful there were some downhills.  I guess we can’t run a fast course at every race, but stuff like this just makes you aware of what you need to work on.

“Us older folks are tough and we showed those young whippersnappers what it takes to win a race,” she said after admitting that she logged some 55 miles this week.

The next Chattanooga race will be Saturday, Aug. 27 and it won’t be nearly as hilly.

The Cam Run 5K, held in memory of Cameron Bean, will be held in North Chattanooga with the start on Hamm Road less than a quarter-mile from Moccasin Bend Road.

The course goes out that road toward Moccasin Bend past where the popular runner was struck and killed last fall.  The top 25 males and females also qualify for a one-mile race that night in downtown Chattanooga.

And then on the following Saturday, the annual 5K For FCA will be held at Chattanooga State.  This race has been traditionally held on Labor Day for the last 25 years, but has been moved to the Saturday before in hopes of drawing a larger field.

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)