Running Circles 'Round the Island
Keith came in first in the 10K, with Ocracoke's Alfonso “Chito” Guerrera close on his heels. Angela finished first in the 5K, beating the fastest girl on Ocracoke, Karen Perez, by seven seconds. Karen’s brother, Kevin, was the overall winner for the men’s 5K with a time of 18:40, followed by Gustavo Trejo of Ocracoke and Herb Clements of Hatteras. Lulu Perez (Kevin and Karen’s mama) easily finished first overall for women in the 10K (only four men were faster than Lulu!), followed by Marissa Gross and Chelsea Smith, both of Ocracoke. Those three were the only women from Ocracoke competing in the 10K. Way to represent, ladies! Coming in 3rd in the women’s 5K was Ocracoke’s Jordan Jones, who improved her time over 5 minutes since last year!
Most of these runners have been competing against each other for the past four years in Ocracoke 5K/10K races – all in the name of raising money for some really good causes.
Established in 2012 (as a 5K only; the 10K event was added in 2013), the Ocracoke race benefits local non-profits, while providing a good reason for people to visit the island in April. And – it promotes exercise and fitness. Plus, the island gets to show off just how fast we (not me, of course – I mean the royal “we”) are.
In 2014, the overall 5K winners were Kevin, Keith, and Herb. In 2013, Keith won it and Kevin came in 3rd. (Herb was absent that year). In 2012, Keith came in 2nd, Kevin was in 8th place, and Herb was in 11th. All these guys have improved their times over the years.
2012 was the historic occasion of the first race Chito ever ran – and he won! The following year, he switched to the 10K, won it and did it again in 2014. It was only this year, when Keith Gray switched to the 10K race that Chito has come in 2nd. What?? Just wait for next year! All but two of the male runners in the 10K were from off the island, including the 3rd place winner, Stephen Kronlage. Andy Todd of Ocracoke placed 2nd in his 10K age division, 50-59.
“I should’ve moved up last year to the 10K,” said Keith, when I saw him later at the Community Park dedication. “But I kept thinking I’d be fastest in the 5K.” He also wants the Current’s readers to know that he’s 50. Old guys can run fast, too.
“You do a really good job with the race,” he said to me, though he was talking to the royal “you” of all of Ocracoke. “The community thing down here is amazing.”
The 5K/10K is all about community – and family. Ocracoke is home to several dynasties of runners. Here's a sampling:
The Esham family menfolk all came in first in their age divisions (Daymon, male 1-10; Dylan, male 11-13; David Scott, male 40-49) and the women took 2nd and 3rd place in their age divisions (Granny Jen, female 70-99 and Melinda, female 40-49)!
Then there’s familia Perez: Lulu, Kevin, and Karen. Lulu’s kids have inherited her speed. She easily won the first Ocracoke 5K in 2012 (Karen came in 2nd), and then moved on to the 10K. After placing 2nd the past two years, Lulu scored a win this year in the women’s 10K. Karen took 2nd place in in the 5K in 2013, 4th in 2014, and came back to 2nd place this year. The Perez extended family are also athletic, including cousin Edwin Perez, who came in 2nd in the boys’ 11-13 category.
Ingrid Contreras and her little brother, Ronald, came in 1st and 3rd, respectively, in their age groups (female, 14-19 and male, 1-10). Their parents, Antonio and Flor, also ran the 5K.
Nadia Rodriguez placed first in her age group (female, 30-39). Her daughter, Valerie, came in first in the 1-10 category. Second place, female 1-10, went to Dibanhi Rodriguez, who is Nadia’s sister and Valerie’s aunt. (Dibanhi and Valerie are both nine years old!)
Ocracoke residents Noelle Goodwin and Daniel Palacios ran with their kids and a large group of extended family from off the island, all in matching tees.
The youngest runner in the 5K was Petros Burleson, age 6, who ran with his dad, Adam, a.k.a. Coach B, who is Ocracoke’s School’s P.E. teacher. Petros placed 94th, beating his dad by one second.
Ocracoke School was well-represented – in addition to Coach B, principal Walt Padgett and 5th grade teacher Kitty Mitchell ran again this year, along with many students and parents. Kitty is the after-school Running Club coach, and her daughter, Katy, also ran the 5K yesterday.
Over 270 runners were registered for the Ocracoke 5K/10K this year.
“Everybody I’ve talked to had nothing but good things to say about the race,” said organizer Greg Honeycutt. He was happy to announce that the date is already set for the 2016 event. Mark your calendars for April 23rd and 24th – yes, it will be a whole weekend of runners’ high.
“We’re adding half-marathon on Sunday next year,” Greg said. The race will also add Ocracoke Child Care as a 4th beneficiary of the proceeds. He expects this year’s race to bring in over $30,000 to be divided among three island non-profits: WOVV (Ocracoke’s community radio station), the Ocracoke School Boosters Club, and the Ocracoke Youth Center/Community Park.
“We picked up some new big sponsors this year,” Greg said, mentioning Towne Bank and Mike Toler Chrysler Dodge Jeep (shout-out to Mike – he’s a Current advertiser, too!). “Mike Toler’s from Morehead City, and it’s nice to have support from someone from over on that side,” Greg added. "It's also great that we got some new smaller sponsors this year, too." It's all appreciated.
A well-advertised half-marathon will bring more and different runners to the island, more money to the non-profits, and new people to Ocracoke’s hotels, shops, and restaurants – a win-win-win for the island’s spring economy.
You can find all the race results here.
