CLEVELAND, Tenn. – It was a perfect day for running here on the campus of Lee University Saturday morning for the 15th annual 65 Roses 5K.
Temperatures were cool, skies were just a bit overcast and there was very little wind as runners and walkers gathered for this popular 3.1-mile road race that benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Joseph Crook was successful in defending his title from last year as he crossed the finish line with a time of 17 minutes, seven seconds as he averaged 5:31 per mile to defeat runner-up Matt Jenkins, who wasn’t too far back in 17:19.
Jacob Garrett was third in 17:37 while Ryan Shrum and Brent Ferrell were fourth and fifth overall with times of 17:48 and 18:29, respectively.
Rachel Mason was the class of the women’s field as she was the overall winner, taking eighth place overall out of 494 finishers with a time of 18 minutes, 57 seconds.
Beth Johnson was 21st overall and the second female in 20:16 while Melissa Steve had a time of 21:17 for third, which was 39th overall. Kristen Mullett and Ashley Eulo followed in 41st and 44th overall with times of 21:27 and 21:34, respectively.
Crook and Jenkins were joined by a group of spirited soccer players from Cleveland High School in the early stages of the race, but they were all alone as the miles passed.
Jenkins actually had the lead for most of the way, but Crook decided to make his move with about a quarter-mile remaining and there was nothing Jenkins could do but chase.
“We were together the whole way until the final 400 meters as I let him do all the work, but it was a kick to the finish after that,” Crook, the 25-year-old Lee University track and cross country coach explained once he had caught his breath and was sipping on a bottle of water.
“I really didn’t think I’d win today as I’ve been busy with school work in recent weeks and I was up all night in a prayer group, but I’m planning to sleep the rest of the day,” Crook, who is working on his Masters degree, added.
Jenkins is a 23-year-old gentleman who graduated from Lee in December. He finished in the top 10 of the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville with a time of 2:43, but had not done much racing since that time.
He is currently serving as a pharmacy technician for a local Walgreen, but is working toward a PHD where he hopes to one day do research.
“I haven’t raced a single time since December, although I have been doing quite a bit of cycling,” he explained.
“I just decided this week to come out and have a little fun and to see just how fit I am. The soccer guys took the lead at the start. Joseph and I were running together for the last two miles or so and I was trying to burn him out before we got to the end.
“He was my shadow the whole time that I just couldn’t quite shake, but he has more leg speed than me and that was the difference today,” Jenkins nodded with a smile.
Mason is a 31-year-old exercise physiologist who has taken some time away from work in recent years to raise two daughters, ages two and five.
She obviously has a running background, but is getting back into race shape, so she was really happy with Saturday’s results.
“It was a great race as the weather was perfect and the course was scenic,” she said after averaging 6:06 per mile for her winning effort.
“I don’t think I saw any women near me, but I was just racing with the guys as I’ve really competitive. My goal today was to run a 19:20 or faster and I was able to do that with a little room to spare.
“I really need to do more speed work, but I basically did what I wanted to do today and I’m really pleased,” she added.
Crook was last year’s winner in 16:59 while Amanda Cotter was the defending women’s winner in 19:16, but she was not present to defend on Saturday.
Dr. Bill Estes is a faculty member at Lee and has been the race director since the event began 15 years ago. He was really pleased with Saturday’s turnout.
“We had more pre-registered runners than ever before and it looks like another outstanding group of competitors. We also have some of the best volunteers and some great sponsors that help make this a really popular event here in Cleveland,” Estes said before the race began.
(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)