The 13th Annual Draggin' Tail 18 Mile Challenge & 5K Run was held November 17th in Sunny Hills, FL. The race head quarters, this
year, was St. Theresa's Catholic Church. It served as the staging area, start and finish line and post race banquet hall. A very chilly
morning greeted over 100 runners in anticipation of what laid ahead.
Several runners opted for an early 7 a.m. start with all the other runners taking off at 8 a.m. Runners participated as individuals in
the 18 mile and 5K runs or as part of a three person team in the 18 mile run. When the gun went off, runners had the rolling hills
through the oak and pine forests of NW Florida to great them. The Draggin' Tail Run has some of the best volunteers aiding all the
athletes as they attempted to achieve their goals. Tim Wanamaker and his faithful Bay High volunteers are the key to all the runner
survival! All that started the race finished! This goal was met.
The 5K event was in its third year and definitely challenged the shorter event participants. The 5K was not anymore forgiving than the
18 miler. It also consisted of a few "rolling" hills. Times were good considering the challenge of the hills.
Once the racers finished their given event, they were greeted with hot soups, chili, redbeans and rice and plenty of other goodies.
The main chef "Marty" was one of the co-race directors. Runners keep returning to the Draggin' Tail Run just to get the good food!
This year's awards were again the events main figure, the dragon! They complimented the great T-shirts and food. Awards went to
the overall, masters and grandmasters in both male and female categories. The three person teams also competed for the
prestigious "dragons". Awards went 3+ deep in 5 year age groups. Some of our runners have collected quite a few.
The race photos on this page tell many stories. Emotions range from elation, depression, happy, sad, fatigue, relief and one of
accomplishment!
year, was St. Theresa's Catholic Church. It served as the staging area, start and finish line and post race banquet hall. A very chilly
morning greeted over 100 runners in anticipation of what laid ahead.
Several runners opted for an early 7 a.m. start with all the other runners taking off at 8 a.m. Runners participated as individuals in
the 18 mile and 5K runs or as part of a three person team in the 18 mile run. When the gun went off, runners had the rolling hills
through the oak and pine forests of NW Florida to great them. The Draggin' Tail Run has some of the best volunteers aiding all the
athletes as they attempted to achieve their goals. Tim Wanamaker and his faithful Bay High volunteers are the key to all the runner
survival! All that started the race finished! This goal was met.
The 5K event was in its third year and definitely challenged the shorter event participants. The 5K was not anymore forgiving than the
18 miler. It also consisted of a few "rolling" hills. Times were good considering the challenge of the hills.
Once the racers finished their given event, they were greeted with hot soups, chili, redbeans and rice and plenty of other goodies.
The main chef "Marty" was one of the co-race directors. Runners keep returning to the Draggin' Tail Run just to get the good food!
This year's awards were again the events main figure, the dragon! They complimented the great T-shirts and food. Awards went to
the overall, masters and grandmasters in both male and female categories. The three person teams also competed for the
prestigious "dragons". Awards went 3+ deep in 5 year age groups. Some of our runners have collected quite a few.
The race photos on this page tell many stories. Emotions range from elation, depression, happy, sad, fatigue, relief and one of
accomplishment!
| Draggin' Tail Runner |
Draggin' Tail Event Information
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| Draggin' Tail Photos |
Runners start on Sunny Hills Blvd in front of St.
Theresa's Catholic Church. Freezing weather
greeted these runners with temperatures in the
30's at race time. Fortunately, the temperature
did climb and finished as a gorgeous day.
The weather was positively one of the best the
Draggin' Tail Run has seen.
Several runners opted for the 7 a.m. early start.
Theresa's Catholic Church. Freezing weather
greeted these runners with temperatures in the
30's at race time. Fortunately, the temperature
did climb and finished as a gorgeous day.
The weather was positively one of the best the
Draggin' Tail Run has seen.
Several runners opted for the 7 a.m. early start.
| Overall Winners! |
Michael Martinez won the O/A male slot with
a 2:00:32 even though he took a slight detour.
a 2:00:32 even though he took a slight detour.
"Lords of the Trail" male team prevail
as the first runners to cross the finish
line in 1:58:25. Repeated best time.
as the first runners to cross the finish
line in 1:58:25. Repeated best time.
Dana Black was the O/A female in 2:21:27!
Liv and Blaine on the road to her GM title.
James Wells with a great Draggin'
Tail look and attitude!
Tail look and attitude!
Kim and Maggie showing off their hard
earned Draggin' Tail T-shirt!
earned Draggin' Tail T-shirt!
Judy Alexander saying something about
"rolling" hills on the climb up Sand
Mountain.
"rolling" hills on the climb up Sand
Mountain.
Judy demonstrates the fact that great things
come in small packages!
come in small packages!
Lou Ellen Jayroe Jerry Armstong Dale Nash
Dothan's Ironman Finishers
Dothan's Ironman Finishers
Diane finally gets to the top of
Sand Mountain.
Sand Mountain.
Kyu on her way to a new personal
best for the Draggin' Tail.
best for the Draggin' Tail.
Bill in the race he loves to hate.
Has to do it but hates to!
Has to do it but hates to!
Happiness is....a little Dragon!
Morrie, Jack and Katie on the run!
Katie jumps for joy. Try that after
18 miles!!
18 miles!!
Joy's joy at finishing her first
Draggin' Tail!
Draggin' Tail!
Nick is still smiling after the
turn-around!
turn-around!
Adam Burdeshaw's first Draggin' Tail
is a great one!
is a great one!
Believe it or not...Dave's 10th
Draggin' Tail Run!
Draggin' Tail Run!
Nancy pushes to the end!
Carol and Mary just a cruisin'!
Jay and Nancy hand off at the
relay transition.
relay transition.
Frank puts the finishing touch on
his relay team. Carra started them
off with a Chocolate kick!
his relay team. Carra started them
off with a Chocolate kick!
George and Summer having a great
time on a great day!
time on a great day!
Tom Miller posts a 2:02:20!
Carol Thompson in a great time
of 2:46:29.
of 2:46:29.
Ironman Dave Shaw hands off to
Brian Godding. Team 2 Ironmen and
a wannabee finished strong.
Brian Godding. Team 2 Ironmen and
a wannabee finished strong.
Willow kicks it all the way to the
line!
line!
A special thanks to St. Theresa's Catholic Church for
allowing the Draggin' Tail Run the opportunity to carry on
its pre-Thanksgiving, Sunny Hills' tradition. We look
forward to our 14th Annual Draggin' Tail Run next
November 15, 2008. Remember, if you can't run it, come
volunteer! You will get a great T-shirt!
Special thanks to Eleanor, Nancy, Elsa, Joyce, Fred, Abby,
Andy, Andrea and Marty for their hard work making this
race happen!
allowing the Draggin' Tail Run the opportunity to carry on
its pre-Thanksgiving, Sunny Hills' tradition. We look
forward to our 14th Annual Draggin' Tail Run next
November 15, 2008. Remember, if you can't run it, come
volunteer! You will get a great T-shirt!
Special thanks to Eleanor, Nancy, Elsa, Joyce, Fred, Abby,
Andy, Andrea and Marty for their hard work making this
race happen!
Rob Cunningham, Alan Redmon, and Chris Falk
Grandmasters O/A 3rd O/A
Grandmasters O/A 3rd O/A
Hobson cruisin' the curves!
Hobson sets a new Draggin' Tail
PR of 2:03:31!!
PR of 2:03:31!!
Anna and Steve Bauer having a
great time. This is Anna's first DT!
great time. This is Anna's first DT!
Still smiling after 18 miles!! WOW!
Nathan finishing strong!
Lee Becker is another Draggin'
Tail runner of the future.
Tail runner of the future.
Co-director Marty Kirkland runs
the 5K trying to rid her stress!!
the 5K trying to rid her stress!!
Andy just edges out his wife Andrea
in the 5K!
in the 5K!
And here comes Andrea!
Chuck Law finishes with a good
DT time!
DT time!
Lexy runs the 5K in a good time.
Jon celebrates finishing his 5K.
Ray takes a break from the distance
running with the 5K.
running with the 5K.