Holiday Opens With 39th Flotilla Road Race
SYRACUSE — It was the perfect way to cap the extended holiday weekend as over 300 runners turned out for the 39th Annual Flotilla Road Race.
Syracuse’s Lakeside Park was packed with plenty of participants and spectators as the event got started shortly before 9 a.m. This year’s event saw faster times across the board.
The most impressive finish was in the men’s eight-mile run. Zack Snider won overall with a time of 40:36. Last year’s winner, Derek Miller, ran a 44:55. Second overall Ryan Smith at 41:18 while Richmond Stoltzfus (44:51) took third. Master’s champion was Joey Nelson with his time of 51:04. Grand Master’s champion was Steve Homme, who ran a 59:41.
Laura Gillette was tops for the women’s eight-mile trek. Gillette paced the pack with a time of 53:50. Lauren Bordeman (56:06) was second overall for the women while Carmen Yoder took third, clocking in at 56:44. Colleen Dabler was this year’s Master’s champion at 57:39 on the women’s side. Grand Master’s champion was Robyn O’Donnell with a time of 1:03:54.
The 3.3-mile races saw one runner defend a title while the other enjoyed her first time in first.
Elias Rojas repeated as overall champion for the 3.3-mile journey. Rojas ran a 16:35, pacing him ahead of winning time at last year’s race (16:41). Mike Flora took second at 18:51 as Tyler Evers grabbed third with a time of 19:48. Flora was this year’s Master’s champion while Brian Shepherd was Grand Master’s champion with a time of 19:58.
On the women’s side it was Kirstin Alles taking first, clocking in at 20:15. Brooke Keudell was not far behind as she took second with a time of 20:37. Ginny Patterson was third for the women at 23:38. Master’s champions was Yuko Baumann (25:35). Grand Master’s champion was Kristy Leffers (27:45).
After overall winners and master’s awards were given out, age group winners were awarded.
Women’s 3.3-mile age group champions: Mak Kolvoord (12-under), Kaitlyn O’Donnell (13-15), Sarah Kincade (16-19), Abby Dean (20-24), Brooke Keudell (25-29), Ginny Patterson (30-34), Diane Kaeser (35-39), Misty Glandon (40-44), Stacey Spees (45-49), Jennifer Abrell (50-54), Patti Dean (55-59), Cathy Bordeman (60-69) and Linda Kerlin (70 and above).
Men’s 3.3-mile age group champions: Jake Weinberg (12-under), Brett Ploss (13-15), Tyler Evers (16-19), Josh Howell (20-24), Christopher Schenkel (25-29), Ryan Thwaits (30-34), Brian O’Rourke (35-39), Andy Dunithan (40-44), Todd McCulloch (45-49), Ray Kennedy (50-54), Ruben Falcon (55-59), Justin Frericks (60-69) and Dick Harnly (70 and above).
Women’s eight-mile age group champions: Lauren Bordeman (12-under), Carmen Yoder (13-15), Isabelle Crain (16-19), Shana Washington (25-29), Staci Weisser (30-34), Amanda Sigsbee (35-39), Barb Martz (40-44), Krista Nicholson (45-49), Kim Anderson (50-54) and Jenny Isenbarger (55-59).
Men’s eight-mile age group champions: Bradlee Koolvord (13-15), Richmond Stoltzfus (16-19), Ryan Smith (20-24), Ty Aller (25-29), Mark Davidhizar (30-34), Robert Martin (35-39), Matt O’Connor (40-44), Eugene Yoder (45-49), Keith Ort (50-54), Greg Shelley (55-59), Matt Leffers (60-69) and Ron Baumgartner (70 and above).
While Baumgartner had the distinction of winning the long-distance events oldest age group, it was Lawrence Scholl that had a much more interesting title. Scholl was the oldest participant in the entire race as he completed the eight-mile run with a time of 1:37:13 at 83 years of age.