Saturday, June 16, 2001 -- Lynchburg, VA
Harris Tire 2001 Tune-Up (iPO Event Id#: 3763)
Story by Steve Crowder with photos by Leslie Crowder

[Details] [Coverage] [Overall Results] [Results by Class]
[Pic Set 1] [Pic Set 2] [Pic Set 3]

Anybody ready for a Tune-Up?

The third race of the Virginia Ten Miler Tune-Up series took place this past Saturday in Lynchburg, Virginia, with runners facing warm and humid conditions. Sponsored by Harris Tire and Sports Capital of Virginia, the Tune-Up Series is designed to give runners an opportunity to sharpen their racing skills and be in peak shape for this September's Virginia Ten Miler. The series consists of five races, with distances starting at 5k and then progressing to 5 miles, 10k, 10 miles, and a half-marathon. The last three races of the series include an accompanying 5k for those who don't want to go the full distance, however, only the longer races count towards points for series awards.

With the 10k being the points race of the day, that's where most of the competition was focused, and some good close battles took place as several of those in contention for the overall series title went head to head. On the men's side, Matt Richards, who won the first race of the series, took the lead at the start and was followed closely by David Angell. Richards was able to open up a small lead in the first two miles of the race, but as they approached the turnaround point, Angell was closing the gap. Unfortunately for Richards, a hamstring cramp shortly thereafter forced him to withdraw from the race, leaving Angell to run solo to the win. With his competition gone, Angell cruised to the tape in 34:44. Chris Moreland, who already had two top ten finishes in the series, collected his best placing thus far as he took second in 38:39. Grattan Garbee, who has also run each of the first three series races, placed third in 39:29.

Racing the heat and humidity of a Lynchburg summer

On the women's side, Sue Johnson and Sue Jones battled for the win, with Johnson prevailing 44:47 to 45:21. It was the second top five placing in the series for Johnson, but it was Jones who took a major step towards establishing herself as the runner to beat in the series. Jones collected her third straight second place finish, giving her a solid lead in the points standings. Mary Justice rounded out the top three, completing the course in 47:05.

In the accompanying 5k, Steve Crowder took the race out fast with a 4:47 opening mile. Crowder was originally registered for the 10k, but decided to take advantage of the option runners were given to run the shorter race instead. Although he slowed as the race went on, Crowder easily took the win with a time of 15:39. Darrel Wargo, who had won the second race of the series a month earlier, took second in 17:27. Wargo was also a 10k registrant who made the turn early. Michael Wortley finished third, completing the course in 17:52.

Kicking it up for the big finish

For the women in the 5k, it was Nancy Ferris who easily outdistanced her competition. Ferris is a familiar winner of local road races and was never seriously challenged. Ferris' time of 20:18 was just over four minutes ahead of second place finisher Jan Shippen, who completed the race in 24:30. Karen Rhodes rounded out the top three, finishing in 25:04.

After the race, runners gathered at the start of the Blackwater Creek Trail for an awards ceremony and some much needed and well deserved refreshments. Thanks to Harris Tire, the Lynchburg Road Runners, and Vince Decker of Sports Capital of Virginia for making this event a success. Be sure to check out the next installment of the Tune-Up Series, a 10 Miler/5k on July 14.