For the 15th annual Cupid’s Chase Run in Georgetown on Saturday morning, race organizers pulled a couple of big switcheroos. First, the race was switched from a 6-K to a more conventional 5-K. And the race used a completely new, point-to-point course which was designed to be more user-friendly.
Mission accomplished.
On a chilly (37 degrees), clear and calm (a gentle northwest breeze) morning, more than 500 runners and walkers assembled in downtown Georgetown. A few were using the Cupid’s Chase as a last-minute tune-up for the Austin Marathon next weekend, but most were there for a little competition or just a fun stroll in and around beautiful Georgetown.
Leading the way right from the start, was Brian Moynihan on this windy course that went through several neighborhoods before making a big loop around the campus of Southwestern University. Moynihan, a 16-year-old junior at Georgetown HS and the number three man on the cross-country team, was running the Cupid’s Chase as a way to get in a little speedwork before track practice begins.
"Some friends and I thought it would be fun to do this race since it’s right in our backyard," said Moynihan.
Moynihan led through the first mile in 5:10, but was closely followed by Allen Smith, who runs for Francie Larrieu Smith at Southwestern, and two other Georgetown HS runners—Kevin Webb and Ian Plantz.
On the loop around Southwestern, Smith made up a little ground on Moynihan, but was never able to mount a serious challenge. And Moynihan had an easy time of it on a short downhill in the final mile that led to the finish in Bark Park (that’s what it’s called).
Moynihan won in 16:10 with Smith second in 16:35. Webb was third in 16:55, Plantz was fourth in 16:56 and Taylor Monts of San Marcos rounded out the top five in 17:06.
"This was the first road race I’ve ever won," said Moynihan, "so it’s kinda cool to do something like this."
First masters runner of the morning went to 42-year-old Mick Swope of Round Rock in 18:50, followed by 45-year-old Dave Barton of Pflugerville in 18:56 (who was soundly thrashed by his 16-year old son Zak). Keith Moynihan (Brian’s father) was third masters in 19:28.
Wish, 59, led the old guys in 19:39 with Mark Shepherd, 51, of Georgetown second in 19:56.47, just an eyelash ahead of 54-year-old Austin attorney Chris Gunter in third in 19:56.81.
The first 60-year-old of the morning was Larry Brocklesby, 62, of Georgetown in 24:26 with Ted Koy, the former UT superstar from Waco, in second in 25:44.
The women’s race was totally dominated by Katie Kelley of Gatesville. A former 800-meter runner (2:05 PR) for UTSA, Kelley is branching out into the longer distances that seem to suit her quite well.
"I’m used to the shorter races," says Kelley, now 29, "but there aren’t many 800s for women my age. So I’ve had to move up. But I like 5-Ks."
She should. Kelley used her speed to open with a 5:40 mile on the flat, fast course and there was no other woman within shouting distance. Kelley cruised to the finish in Bark Park in a time of 18:07 (ninth overall). Tami Warner of Georgetown was second woman of the morning in 19:09 with Laura Kromann of Georgetown third in 20:30 and Anne Ekern of Houston fourth in 29:47.
Ekern, 41, was the first masters woman. Debby Harkness, 57 from Georgetown, ran a superb race to place second among the masters in 21:55 with Christine Dixon, 48, of Cedar Park third in 21:58. Hard charging Brigette Sparks, 45 from Harker Heights, was fourth masters in 22:19. (Unfortunately, Sparks lost her spousal battle with husband Jerry who chugged to a 2l:37.)
First 60+ went to Janet Scholl, 64 of Georgetown who ran a nice 24:56.
