There was a little bit of confusion involving the course for the CADAS 5K at the Chattanooga Riverpark on Saturday morning, but that didn’t keep Shane Wright from running away from the field for the overall victory.
Wright, a 37-year-old software engineer for TVA, crossed the finish line in the grassy field next to the Hubert Fry Center all alone in 16 minutes, 40 seconds to win the third annual race that benefits clients in treatment at CADAS, the well-known alcohol and drug addiction treatment center in North Chattanooga.
Zoltan Szabo, a 54-year-old National Guard veteran who is also a truck driver in Dalton, was the runner-up as he finished well behind Wright with a time of 18:13.
Erice Sizemoore was third in 19:35 while Mike Stacks and John Haustein completed the top five finishers with times of 19:45 and 20:10, respectively.
Brittany Schield was the overall women’s winner as she finished 12th in the field of 80 runners with a time of 24 minutes, 11 seconds.
Close friend Taylor Davidson was next in 24:37 while Abby Martin and Kelli Schwind were 14th and 15th overall with times of 25:05 and 25:39. Lorraine Hurley was the fifth lady and 17th overall in 26:07.
There was another 5K held at the Riverpark about the same time, so race officials for the CADAS race had to totally change the course. Instead of heading toward Chickamauga Dam before turning around and heading toward the finish like in years past, it went 1.55 miles toward town in the opposite direction.
Wright is currently training for the Chickamauga Battlefield Half-Marathon and he’ll log about 30 miles this week, but Saturday’s run was definitely a good one for him.
“It went well and was definitely a personal record, but I’m disappointed that I got off course,” he said while waiting for the second runner to appear.
“This race is for a good cause and it was an outstanding run for me. But I can always go faster,” he added.
Szabo is originally from Indiana, but has lived in Dalton for the past three years. He was victorious at the Superhero 5K race a few weeks back and was happy with his time on Saturday.
“I always have a goal of winning my age group and finishing in the top five overall, so I was happy with my time,” he responded after a cool-down run of several miles.
“I ran today to measure the progress I’m making, but he was ahead of me the whole race, but I slowed down just a little after the first mile because I didn’t want to burn out,” he added.
Schield and Davidson are both training for their first Ironman in Chattanooga in two weeks. They both had good runs and were rewarded for their effort.
“I don’t think I’ve ever run that fast before and I was just trying to beat Taylor,” said Schield, a 28-year-old warehouse supervisor for Wrigley, expressed afterward.
“I just wanted to get in a good run and I had to push it to stay ahead of her, but I felt really good,” the women’s winner smiled.
Davidson is a 25-year-old Chattanoogan who works in business development for Skuid. She finished with an average pace of 7:56 per mile, which was faster than she had planned.
“It was hot, but we ran on a nice, level course. My goal was to average 8:30 miles. It felt a little slow, but it was fun. I just couldn’t catch her today,” Davidson nodded.
Rebecca Stein served as the race director and she is also the Director of Adult Residential Treatment at CADAS. She finished 52nd overall in 36:57, but she had other motives than running her fastest pace.
“I really appreciate all the folks who came out to support this event today. We had a great turnout as all the proceeds benefit the clients at CADAS. Proceeds from the silent auction benefit clients at the Scholze Center, “ she added, referring to the CADAS adolescent facility on Pineville Road.
Harmen Roberts, a 77-year-old gentleman from middle Tennessee, was the oldest finisher as he crossed the line in 35:27, which was 50th overall. It just so happens that he was running with his grandson Gabriel, who finished four seconds ahead.
“I know it was just a 5K, but it felt like a 10K,” the older Roberts, who is a marathon veteran, said with a smile on his face.
Mark Litchford, age 7, was the youngest finisher as he completed the distance in 38:24 and finished 55th out of 80.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)