Sandy Claws 5K - December 9, 2006
The coldest day of the season greeted over 400
runners at the 30th annual Sandy Claws 5K on Siesta Key. Temperatures hovering
in the mid forties had everyone anxious to start, but it was high school cross
country and track coach, Ray Chumbley who was most anxious to finish. Chumbley,
25, of Northport was able to hold off a late bid for the title, by deputy
sheriff Jim Julian of Sarasota. Julian, 40, finished in 18:07, just 5 seconds
behind, claiming the overall masters title.
Heather Butcher won the battle of top triathletes named Heather in winning the
female side of the race. Not far off the the top males, Butcher, a personal
trainer living in Port Charlotte, ran 18:33 to finish 3rd overall. Bradenton's
Heather Gollnick, a perennial victor at area multi sport races was the second
woman in 19:48.
If there was an inspirational moment recorded, it might have been Jim
Reifschneider, who came across the line in 23:30. What made this special is
that the 48 year old environmentalist was pushing 3 year old daughter Francesca in
a baby stroller. "He kept me going", said one nearby runner. "If he could do it
pushing, I just kept going".
Race director, Steve Yeskolsky of the Sarasota County Parks and Rec Dept was
seen serving 30th birthday cake, while it lasted, to the runners at the post
race ceremony.