Sunday, February 13, 2000 -- Mineral Wells, WV
Couples Classic 5K Run

[Coverage/Recap] [Pictures] [Results]

Merrill Carnes guts it out on a rainy Sunday

It was cloudy all morning and a slight drizzle began to fall just before race time. By the end of the 5K run it was pouring down in buckets, but at least the temperatures were mild for a mid-February afternoon on the eve of Valentine's Day.

The wet weather did little to dampen the spirits of a hardy group of runners who were up to the challenge at the Couples Classic 5K, the second race in the RCR Winter Series. The out and back course, touted as the toughest in the three race series, included a respectable hill that had to be ascended on both the out and back legs.

Emily Butcher "floats" toward the finish

Splashing to an early lead was none other than Fayetteville's Larry Taylor with Mike Taylor and Nick Dent doing their best to keep him in sight. Rain or shine, the 39-year-old Taylor proved to be fleet enough to hold off any challengers on his way to a first overall finish in 17:35.

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old Mike Taylor, of St. Marys, had his hands full fighting off the challenge from Dent, a promising 13-year-old from Glenville. Dent eventually fell back slightly off the pace as Taylor took the tape for second overall in 18:20, with Dent grabbing third in 18:28.

Lottie Newton is ready whatever the weather

Taking first among the women was 16-year-old Jessica Taylor (20:10) who, along with her father Larry, look to be in excellent shape for keeping the men's and women's series titles in the family. The second place women's honors went to 17-year-old Kristin Daughtery (23:20), from Williamstown, with third place going to 34-year-old Teresa Pickens (23:37).

Putting the "Couple" in the Couples Classic is the unique format where male and female runners are randomly paired just prior to the start of the race. By the luck of the draw it was Jessica Taylor getting paired with the strong running Aaron Kaylor. Taylor's first overall female finish combined with Kaylor's fourth overall time of 19:10 gave the Kaylor-Taylor team a winning total time of 39:20.

There's still one race left in the RCR Winter Series and, whatever the weather, we're sure to see another great crowd of runners at the Leprechaun Run 5K March 12th. Hope to see you there!