They had shivers just thinking about running the Suncoast Half Marathon.
That had more to do with the temperature, which hovered around 40 degrees at the start, than the intimidation factor of covering 13.1 miles.
Four-hundred, thirty-two runners lined up on Sunday, Jan. 23 to weave their way from the Lakewood Ranch Main Street area through the Country Club communities and back to Main Street for the finish.
Bradenton's Michael Lamb, 26, won the overall title in 1:14.32. Sarasota's Corey Peyerk, 32, was second in 1:16.57 while Bradenton's Nick Bonnici, 32, was third in 1:23.38. All three are Bradenton Running Club members.
Sarasota's Corey Talbot, 29, was the women's overall winner in 1:29.42. She was 12th overall.
New York's Barbara Powell, 27, was the second female finisher in 1:30.55 and 14th overall. Lakewood Ranch's Fernanda Scalera, 46, was the third female finisher in 1:32.34 and she was 17th overall.
Â
Overall champion Michael Lamb of Bradenton poses with his plaque. Lamb, a University of South Florida student, set a personal best at 1:14.32.
Women's overall champion Corey Talbot, who ran 1:29.42, celebrates with Ashley Messenger, who ran 1:42. Both are from Sarasota.
Lakewood Ranch's Angela Abrams gets a high-five from finish line coordinator Roger Raddatz of Lakewood Ranch after she completes the race.
Beth Waskom of Sarasota is all smiles as she crosses the finish line. "I loved the people supporting us all along the way," she said.
Lois Davis, her husband John Davis and Jason Briggs, all of Lakewood Ranch, enjoy a well-deserved beer after the finish. Lois Davis and Briggs ran 2:05s, while John Davis set a personal best at 1:43.
Calvin Drake, who attends Carlos Haile Middle School, turned 14 the day before the race which qualified him to run. He probably didn't know he would need a blanket.
Patti Prince of Bradenton holds the sign that was made for her by family and friends. David Koppin of Palmetto, standing just behind her, was among the support group to watch her first half marathon.
Renee Brownlee of Venice and Chanhassen, Minn., said the race was a good way for her to see Lakewood Ranch. She kept warm before the race with a coat she didn't mind throwing in the trash.
Competitors check out the official finish results.
Tonia Cunningham of Punta Gorda and Holli Fleming of Port Charlotte were dressed for skiing but they weren't about to be cold running the half marathon.
Jason Stearns, a Lakewood Ranch resident who sings for the Metropolitan Opera in New York, did a booming rendition of the National Anthem before the race.
The Suncoast Half Marathon gets off to a chilly start on Saturday, Jan. 23 in Lakewood Ranch.
Alvin Ducre of Bradenton was all smiles before running in his third Suncoast Half Marathon. He always wears his signature helmet.
Evan Evans, a 2007 Lakewood Ranch High School graduate who now lives in Tampa, placed seventh at 1:27.16. He said, with a laugh, that he might need to give up beer if he wants to move up.
Sarasota's Steve Crane and Betsie Van Vyven try to stay warm before the race. Crane is the Booker High School track coach so his athletes had a chance to evaluate his running style.
The Suncoast Half Marathon medals hang at the finish line.
