Familiar names cross the finish line first at 41st annual Rose Run

Four entrants in Saturday’s Rose Run at Jackson Community College enjoyed winning the 2010 event so much they decided to do it again.

In the 41st running of one of the state’s longest standing races, Chris Kelly of Twinsburg, Ohio took charge of the men’s 5k at around the two-mile marker and never relinquished his lead to win with a time of 16 minutes, 51 seconds — 10 seconds better than last year’s top time.

“Two guys were pushing me really good compared to last year where I was by myself the last mile,” he said.

Hanover-Horton sophomore Bryce Stroede was the runner-up, seven seconds behind Kelly.

The race held a special significance for the 20-year-old Kelly because his grandparents, who live in the Jackson area, were there to cheer him on.

While Kelly had to outlast some stiff competition to defend his title, Taylor Heath simply had to stay on course to win his second consecutive 5-mile hybrid run title.

The Hanover-Horton graduate who recently completed his first year of college at Lake Superior State University blew the competition and last year’s winning time out of the water.

He completed the off-road/road course mixed competition in a time of 29 minutes, 8 seconds — 3 minutes, 21 seconds better than in 2010.

“Well the difference between this year and last year was I didn’t get lost,” he said with a grin. “Other than that, one year of college certainly helps.”

Lindsey Burdette, of Hanover-Horton, also garnered her second consecutive 5-mile hybrid run title, with a time of 38 minutes, 12 seconds.

“I liked the weather this year because I think it’s better when it’s a little rainy stuff and today it was kind of misty,” she said.

Janet Scott, Horton, was also a repeat winner, triumphing in the 5k walk with a time of 35 minutes, 37 seconds.

New to victory lane at the Rose Run was Julie Bloomfield of Jackson in the women’s 5k run (21 minutes, 47 seconds) and Ray Drysdale of Albion in the men’s 5k walk (34 minutes, 32 seconds).

One runner who was more distracted by what came after the run than her finishing time was 25-year-old Jenny Phelan — who was to become Jenny Murphy roughly eight hours after completing the race.
Phelan was scheduled to marry Matt Murphy at First Congregational Church in Jackson at 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Hanover-Horton graduate had bridesmaid Becca Rudy by her side for the 5k run, snapping photos and providing her with some verbal motivation.

“My time certainly wasn’t one of my fastest, but I grew up racing and it was kind of sentimental to run one last time with my last name,” Phelan said.

Proceeds from the run benefited the JCC cross country program.
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As published in the Jackson Citizen Patriot on June 12, 2011