A Sunday morning run always seems to draw a large crowd. Maybe it's because it can be many different things to those participating. A few select runners are there to try to win the Overall Prize Money (1st place - $200, 2nd place - $150, 3rd place - $100). Some are there to score points in the Jacksonville Grand Prix Series. Some want to see how their preparations are going for some upcoming race like the Thanksgiving Day 1/2 Marathon. Many others just want to get out on a Sunday morning to meet their friends and have a good time. A large contingent from AIR (Amelia Island Runners) was there since they are a bunch of dedicated runners who enjoy a quality event that's not too far from home. Although the weather forecast mentioned possible showers, the rains held off and aside from high humidity, it wasn't a bad morning for a race - training run- or for whatever reason you were there.

The venue for the event is the Evergreen Cemetery in North Jacksonville. It is a peaceful enough area; some irreverent runners have called it "The Graveyard Run." One inconsistency was the loud music that was intended to arouse the spirits of the runners but it may have annoyed the spirits who reside there permanently. It's necessary to have repeated loops through the confined area in order to squeeze in the 10 mile distance and it's inevitable that a few runners make a wrong turn and go long or short as a result.

The runners head out on the course - with 10 milers and 5Kers all mixed in together.

Frieda Wyner settling into her planned pace.	Many runners schedule their long run for the week on Sunday. Frieda and Norm Wyner have recently returned to Florida after a summer in North Carolina where Frieda did her training on hills at an elevation of 3,000 to 4,000 feet above sea level. Norm was glad to be able to get together with his friends from AIR and let them know that he is still a runner at heart if not in fact. Norm took a few photos during the race and combined with those taken by Ed Hardee, he has put together this page as a tribute to those who refuse to give up like he has done :-(

As a result of taking on the responsibilities of the AIR Presidency, Ed Hardee's running has become less consistent. He would like to do the Thanksgiving Day 1/2 Marathon and thought the Pumpkin 10 miler would be a good test. He and Kevin Ott ran together and felt that they should be able to complete a 1/2 marathon.

Kevin Ott and Ed Hardee crossing the finish line. The clock is proof that they broke 2 hours.

After setting up the Striderman, Al Saffer put on his club-neutral running outfit and ran 10 miles.

This couple was dressed for a cemetery social. He said that some of the elite runners looked like skeletons.

This youngster wanted to do the diaper dash, but grandpa thought he should change baby's diaper first.

AIR Award Winners - Everett Crum, Rosa Haslip, Frank Frazier, Donna Scalia.

Glad it's over - Kevin Ott, Ed Hardee, & Jim Hill.

Time to relax after the run Bill Pennington dispenses Starbucks Coffee and something to sweeten it up.

Donna and Pete Scalia (Donna with her 1st Place Age-Group plaque).

Gary and Rosa Haslip (Rosa with her Masters plaque).

Randy and Scott Arend with Randy's age-group plaque (Randy ran the 10 M, Scott the 5K).

Post-Race AIR Group: (L-R) Everett Crum, Pete and Donna Scalia, Rosa Haslip, Bill and Emilie Pennington, Gary Haslip, Frieda (hiding behind Norm) and Norm Wyner.

Pumpkin Run 5K, Oct. 28, Jacksonville Scott Arend, 16, 28:45 Dee Sittig, 61, 39:10 David Stanley, 20, 23:43, 2nd place age group Josh Stanley, 14, 24:10 Katie Stanley, 14, 40:31 Susan Stanley, 42, 44:51

Pumpkin Run 10-miler, Oct. 28, Jacksonville Randy Arend, 47, 1:11:50, 3rd place age group Steve Cash, 51, 1:28:42 Del Conner, 54, 1:16:34 Everett Crum, 72, 1:22:56, 1st place age group Frank Frazier, 65, 1:17:06, 1st place age group Ed Hardee, 56, 1:56:06 Gary Haslip, 45, 1:15:18 Rosa Haslip, 44, 1:11:04, overall masters winner Jim Hill, 53, 1:20:15 Robin Lentz, 28, 1:29:23 Toby Lentz, 30, 1:06:46, 3rd place age group Ken Marker, 30, 1:10:47 Melissa Marker, 30, 1:44:49 Kevin Ott, 49, 1:56:06 Carolyn Peeples, 32, 1:26:33 Bill Pennington, 50, 1:15:18 Gayla Poythress, 40, 1:43:18 Keith Poythress, 44, 1:13:07 Al Saffer, 73, 2:03:48 Donna Scalia, 62, 1:39:58, 1st place age group Pete Scalia, 65, 1:45:57 Pam Shull, 45, 1:32:55 Elfrieda Wyner, 65, 1:19:01, 1st place age group

For complete race results, click on the link to 1st Place Sports.

If your name has been omitted from the AIR members list above, please send an e-mail to:
AIRwebsite@aol.com