Sunday, September 19, 1999 -- Bridgeport
Sprint Print Run for the Park 5K
Story by Don Parks with photos by Travis Liston

[Coverage] [Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]

A beautiful start for a 5K race

A spectacular late summer's day with warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine set the stage for the 4th Annual Sprint Print Run for the Park 5K. With the scenic Deegan - Hinkle Lakes Park as the backdrop, the crowd of enthusiastic runners and walkers were ready to test their legs on the rolling hills. The starting signal was given just after 2:00pm as the racers joined those who came just to play in the park, fish in the lakes, or ride horses on the trails.

The course initially took the runners along Deegan Lake before heading into a nearby neighborhood. A loop through the neighborhood brought everyone back into the park and then onto the final stretch to the finish.

Deegan Lake sits calmly in the center of the race course

As the race began it was the brothers Larry Taylor and Mike Taylor who dashed to the front along with Jay Cann. After circling the lake, Larry began to pull away from his older brother with Cann dropping off the pace. He continued to stretch his lead throughout the remainder of the race to post a winning time of 16:24.

As Mike settled into his pace and set his sites on a second place finish, Joey Herron was charging up from behind. Herron's efforts, however, came up slightly short as Mike held him off for a second overall finish in 16:52 with Herron taking third in 16:57.

Mike is one Taylor too late

Another close race was waged between the top women's finishers. But in the end it was Delores Bonnell (20:45) who beat out Julie Dyer (20:50) by just five seconds. Taking home third place overall women's honors was Julie Zickefoose who crossed the line at 21:45.

Many more winners crossed the finish on this delightful afternoon in the park. With such fantastic scenery and weather, great support from race sponsor Sprint Print, and the hard work of race director Joe Shuttleworth and the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department, everyone could finish feeling the rewards of a little challenging and fun exercise. We sure hope the good times continue for all the Runs for the Park that are sure to come in the next millennium.