History was made at today’s Katy 10 race.
Nothing too special about it being the 52nd race in the history of the Texas 10 Series.
Of course, any win is special – as our Roger King grabbed the overall five-mile title today the first Volte to do so at Katy since Ken Rieger did it in back-to-back years in 2013 and 2014.
It was the first permitted race in Harris County since the start of the pandemic in mid-March 2020.
And just in time.
Even with timed finishers for the 5K and 1-milers included, it was the smallest of the seven Texas 10 Series races in Katy. (2013 was the first year and 2016 was cancelled due to weather.)
It was also the third largest of the five races of the 2020-2021 Texas 10 Series with Sienna and Cypress to follow.
And today’s weather was perfect for our Volte athletes to clean up at the awards booth – six age group placements – featuring four PR’s and a fifth tie.
As always, our seven athletes were flanked by a host of Volte friends.
It was the second straight race that Roger King competed at the five-mile distance, after finishing third overall two weeks ago in Huntsville in 31:56.
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| This is what a winning race looks like from Roger King in the five miler today. (Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer) |
Today, with an influx of Houston area running talent from the west side of town, Roger put the hammer down and rattled off a new five-mile personal best of 30:26 for the overall win.
In doing so, he led Volte friend Paul Blutt to the line by a minute and 13 seconds as Paul finished in 31:39.
Jerritt Park was fourth overall in 33:42 – the best of his three five-mile races in this year’s Texas 10 Series.
Volte friends Erin and Jimmie Gowton from Montgomery posted their best five-mile times of the season as well with marks of 41:48 and 47:37. They have run all five of the five-milers in this year’s Series.
Ray and Diana Sarno from Huntsville once again ran the course together as Ray took first in his division and Diana was third in hers. They finished in 57:37 as they completed their fourth race of the season.
Finally in the five-miler, Ken Johnson, who has run all five, was second in his age group in 1:12:06.
In the 5K, our friends from the Tough Runners Club, Alvaro and Lusi Trejo had superb days.
Alvaro was third in his age group in 25:27 and Lusi, who’s been putting her new Peloton bike to the test, achieved her fastest of five 5K finishes in the Series dipping under 30 minutes in 29:32.
On to the marquee race.
Darren Hadden led us today with a 45-49 age group winning time of 1:02:30, equaling his best from Bridgeland 10 @ Conroe.
He entered the Armadillo Cup standings today in third with 48 points, behind Kevin Baker with 65 and Michael Prejean with 59.
With the age group win, he grabs 14 points to move to 62 overall.
Baker was second, picking up 13 to move to 78 and retaining the lead. Prejean was fifth, good for 10 points and keeping him in second with 69.
Seven Hills Running Club’s Steve Allen was seventh, adding eight points and staying in fourth with 53 points.
Finishing third in his age group, Robert King earned a new personal best with a 1:03:56 showing – just over two minutes better from his time at Conroe in late November.
With her third age group win in the Series, a new personal best by two minutes and 45 seconds and the best 45-49 time in the five races, Erika Sampson punched out a time of 1:12:28 and was the third overall masters behind Hailey Pigford and Pam Meaux.
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| Erika Sampson's time was so hot ... the fire hydrant was even chasing her today! (Photo courtesy of Bill Dwyer) |
Sampson earns 14 points in the Armadillo Cup to push her total to 75.
Second-place Mary Moellmer of Tomball was third today getting 12 points to stay in second with 61 points while Bobbie Peterson was sixth earning nine points to remain in third with 57 points.
An age group win from Sampson as Sienna 10 should seal up her $175 first place age group prize, even if she does not race Cypress in two weeks.
Running in his second straight Texas 10 Series race, Rob Gay set a new 10-mile personal best with a time of 1:15:10.
And rounding out our Volte athletes is Mayra Caamano, who leads the Armadillo Cup standings for 40-44 year old females.
Needing to run two of the last three races to qualify for the $175 first place age group prize, Caamano earned her second straight age group win – and fourth podium finish of the Series – with a 1:17:07 time.
Since Pigford’s masters win will give her the 14 first place points, Caamano earned 13 points to give her 62 points and more of a firm grip on first place.
Aiding Caamano’s cause is the fact that Courtney West, second in the Armadillo Cup standings, was 11th in her age group today meaning that she will earn only five points to move her to 44 points – 18 behind Caamano.
Jennie Elliott in third and Leticia Sandoval in fifth, with 31 and 25 points, respectively, both didn’t race.
Finishing third on the course today was Cypress’ Karen Ellis who was nipping on Caamano’s heels in chip time eight seconds back.
Ellis will collect 12 points to move to 42 points and third place.
An age group win at Sienna, with the 18 points, would give Caamano 80 points and give her the ability to clinch the $175 prize without racing Cypress.
Or Caamano could skip Sienna, grab the 14 points with a win at Cypress, giving her 76 and even if West won at Sienna and finished second at Cypress it would only give West 75 - and Caamano the Armadillo Cup win.
Volte friend Mark Amann won his third straight 10-miler and fifth for his career, collecting $225 for his 54:41 effort.
More Volte friend finishes included Kevin Baker in 1:05:23, good for second in his division; Cristina Gray in 1:27:33; Randy Bradley in 1:45:58 and Mayra Alvarado in 1:53:02.
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