Published: July 01, 2008 12:58 pm            

Cool Runners brave rainy conditions

11th annual Somernites Cool Run has become more than just another road race

Somerset — Neither a dark ominous sky nor a steady downpour of rain could dampen the spirits of the over 200 runners competing in Saturday’s 11th annual Somernites Cool Run at Rocky Hollow Park. A steady light rain fell for the duration of the 5,000-meter race, which made for an enjoyable and truly cool run for runners of all ages and fitness levels.

“Yeah, our numbers were off a little bit off from where they had been in the past, but I think the inclement weather played a factor in that and I am glad the weather held off as well as it did,” Cool Run race organizer Dr. Joe Weigel commented. “People came from out-of-town and in-town to enjoy the race again this year,”

“This run has become a little bit of everything for all different kinds of people of all ages and fitness levels,” Weigel added. “I think people know about this event each year and they mark it on their calendars. They try to come to it every year because they know how hard we work to put together a nice race and a good product for them. We are grateful for people who come and we want to let them know that we are still interested in pushing fitness in south central Kentucky.”

While the Cool Run has grown in numbers and popularity over its 11 year existence, the local event has drawn people from all walks of life and in its own way has changed some lives in the process.

For 36-year-old Somerset resident Mark Hamm, running was something he took up to improve his health. Not only did a daily running ritual drastically improve Hamm’s overall health, but he claims that running has changed many parts of his life for the better.

“Running has absolutely changed my life,” Mark Hamm said after finishing the 5K race in 20 minutes and 18 seconds. “The last year and a half I have probably dropped 30 pounds, my cholesterol level has dropped to an acceptable level and running has added a level of structure and discipline to my life. Running has even bled over to everything else in my life — work is more organized and I seem to be more goal oriented. Running has set a good model for my children and that is the most pleasing thing to me is that they have picked up running.”

“Running is something that my children and I can do together,” Hamm added. “A lot of times I don’t always feel like getting up on my own to run, but my daughter, Zoey, is always there to push me and she gets me motivated to run with her.”

“Before I started running in the mornings, I seemed to always get up maybe five minutes before I had to go to work and everything seemed rushed,” Hamm explained. “Now, I run 4 or 5 miles before the day is even started, I take a shower, I sit and drink a cup of coffee, and I am a much more pleasant person to be around, according to my wife.”

For 8-year-old Brian Estes, running is something that he tried for the first time in Saturday’s Somernites Cool Run and it is a new activity that his parents hope will encourage and motivate him.

“Brian has not been involved in a lot of sporting activities and we thought running would be a good sport for him to be involved in,” his mother Debbie Estes commented. “We have encouraged him to run in his first race today and he really seemed to enjoy it and hopefully this is something that will encourage him and continue to be involved in for the rest of his life.”

Brian Estes competed in the half-mile kids fun run, which was ran on the Rocky Hollow indoor track.

For Julie House, running has been a means of bonding with her 11-year-old daughter, Kristen, and her mother, Sandy McClure. The three generations of women all competed in the race — Julie, 26:43; Kristen, 30:49; and Sandy, 31:38.

“Running together with my mom and my daughter has been a great bonding experience for us,” Julie House said. “There is not of things three generations can do together that they will all enjoy — running is something we all three enjoy together.”

Richmond resident Jacob Korir, 27, easily ran away with the race with a 15:39 clocking.

Southwestern standout Sabastian Rhode was the top local finisher with a third place finish and a 17:51 clocking. Richmond resident Anne Rotich, 29, was the top female finisher with a 18:35 clocking.

Somerset resident Carrie Altmaier, 48, was the top female master finisher with a 25:23 clocking. London resident Jeffrey Tipton, 43, was the top male master finisher with a 18:20 clocking.

Corbin resident Tommy Smith, 52, was the top male grandmaster finisher with a time of 18:30. Somerset resident Jean Campbell, 58, was the top grandmaster female finisher with a 26:56 clocking.

The youngest competitor was 8-year-old Matthew Jones of Somerset, who finished the 3.1-mile course in 22:05. Over 74 years Jones’ elder, Gerard Weigel, 81, completed the 5,000-meter course in 45:06.

        

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