The

Peachtree City Classic was another resounding success,

growing in popularity with runners and fans each year. It

also seems that while people come from all over the state

and region to compete, the number of locals testing their

mettle grows each year as well.

The race is

broken down into several age groups, encouraging

competition and not making anybody feel terrible in a

race. Because running is such an individual sport, the

Peachtree City Running Club hopes to foster inner drive

and competition.

The 15K

race was back in Peachtree City this year, serving as the

national championship race for the Road Runners Club of

America. The overall male winner was Chris Rizzo of

Columbus who finished the race in a time of 51:25. The

closest local to that time was Kenneth Thorsen of

Fayetteville with a time of 53:54. On the woman's side,

the highest local finisher in the 15K was Kelly Murzynsky

of Peachtree City. She finished in a time of 1:05:17.

Other high

finishers in the 15K on the women's side were Emily Wynn

of Fayetteville in the 15-19 age group with a time of

1:29:28. Angie Ratajaski of Senoia in the 20-24 age group

with a time of 1:10:42. Jennie Tyre of Fayetteville ran

in the 25-29 age group and finished in 1:15:37. Paula May

of Peachtree City finished fifth in the Master's division

(40-99) with a time of 1:09:45, which was good enough for

a first place finish in the 45-49 age group.

In the

Men's 15K, Josh Ludwig of Peachtree City finished first

in the 1-14 age group, with times of 1:13:24. Justin

Markham of Fayetteville took third in the 15-19 age group

with a time of 1:13:47, while Charles Elfer of

Fayetteville finished in 1:06:43 in the 20-24 group. In

the 35-39 group, John Quinlivan of Peachtree City

finished third with a time of 57:21. William Landis of

Peachtree City finished fourth in the 50-54 group while

Bill McBride of Peachtree City finished fourth in the

55-59 group. Landis finished with a time of 1:03:02 while

McBride finished in 1:04:41.

In the 5K

races, which are much shorter and seem to have many more

entrants, Donna Lee of Fayetteville took second place

overall in the women's 5K with a time of 20:03. In the

Masters division, Tori Stivers and Nancy D'Aurio, both of

Peachtree City, finished sixth and seventh with times of

24:12 and 24:16.

In the 1-10

age group, Kirsten Pretzer of Peachtree City placed third

with a time of 22:55. Melissa Anderson, also of Peachtree

City placed fourth overall in the 11-14 group, running a

time of 22:42 In the 15-19 group, Sunya Sweeney placed

first with a time of 23:35. She was followed closely by

Erin Myers, also of Peachtree City, running a time of

23:52. Sarah Kienast of Fayetteville placed fourth in the

20-24 age group with a time of 27:03 ,while Carla

Sutherland finished fifth in the 25-29 group with a time

of 25:46.

In the

men's 5K, Steve Janney of Sharpsburg placed second in the

Masters group with a time of 17:29. Mark Yutko of

Peachtree City placed sixth with a time of 18:51, and

Frank Molloy of Fayetteville placed eighth with a time of

19:04.

These are

not the complete results of the race, but rather the

highest local finishers in the age groups. For more

detailed results, visit the running club's website: www.ptcrc.com .

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