Former U.S. long distance champion wins Menard 5-K

WASILLA - To most of the participants, the guy in the middle of the pack wearing the black running singlet was just another runner. But defending race champion Jerry Ross recognized the former Chugiak High School running standout.

&#8220I looked over and immediately knew who he was,” Ross said. &#8220‘That's David Morris,' I thought to myself. ‘He's a former United States national champion marathon runner.' I knew then that defending my title would be tough.”

Morris, who held the national record in the marathon, covering the 26.2 miles at the 1999 Chicago Marathon in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 32 seconds. He held the record from 1999 to 2003, and was the national champion at the distance in 2000.

Ross managed to keep pace with Morris over the first four kilometers of the race held along Church Road. But the former national champion showed he still had something left in reserve as he pulled away over the final 1,000 meters.

&#8220There were four of us running in a pack as we began climbing the final hill,” Morris said. &#8220I knew I had to make my move if I was going to have a chance to hold off the younger legs.”

The move paid off as Morris distanced himself from his competitors on the final downhill, winning easily. Ross eventually settled for third after he was out-kicked by another runner over the final half-mile.

&#8220My training has been off for the last month,” Ross said. &#8220I was thinking a 15:30 pace might be good enough to win, but I was wrong. It was only good enough for third today.”

For Morris getting back into the local running scene was just as satisfying as winning the race.

&#8220I would've been happy to just have performed well,” he said. &#8220I haven't run a lot up here, because of my work schedule, and competing national in the past. To run so well in the state championship 5-K is a great way to get back involved with the local running community.”

The women's race played out much like it had for the previous two seasons - Najeeby Quinn and Ester Jurasek dominated. And, like the last two races, Quinn emerged victorious, with Jurasek placing second.

Beating Jurasek wasn't the only motivation for Quinn's victory dash.

&#8220This is a race for cash,” Quinn said. &#8220My training is focused on peaking for a marathon in late August or September. Today was a training run toward that end. But I was motivated by the first-place prize money.”

The winners of both the men's and women's races pocketed $500, while second place took home $250.

After winning last year, Quinn said her winnings were going toward rent. This year she hinted that some would be spent on a little celebration, and the remainder will go toward paying bills.

&#8220In addition to the money, I just love the competition,” Quinn said. &#8220Testing myself against others and working to be my best is what truly motivates me. But the money is nice too.”

Quinn was not only tested by Jurasek during the race but also by her left shoe.

&#8220It came untied right after the start,” she explained. &#8220I thought for sure that it was going to either fall off, or I would have to stop to tie

it.”

Despite the loose shoe and cramping arch it caused, she recorded her third-straight victory in the race.

The field had more than 100 runners than last year, giving organizers a record turnout of just more than 300 participants.

&#8220Entries in both the open race and the kids event are up,” race director Ole Jordan said. &#8220There were over 80 entries for the 8 and under kids race, up from 30 last year. This race is growing into one of the premier events

held each summer.”

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or darrell.breese@

frontiersman.com.