News - November - December 2023
Dec 20
From the Kansas Road Running Records: 2023 Runners of the Year
Our 2023 selections for Kansas runners-of-the-year feature two veterans and a newcomer to the top rank.
Deb Torneden of Manhattan, Noah Stevenson of Prairie Village and formerly of Kansas State University, and Fred Torneden of Manhattan turned in outstanding performances in 2023 that included age-group records and world- and national-class times. Twelve other runners were also recognized for their achievements.
More details on runners of the year and others with significant accomplishments.
Dec 16
Mike Shifman created a new map for orienteering at Cedar Niles Park in Olathe. A good crowd came in the rain to run his courses. The event was hosted by the Possum Trot Orienteering Club.
Dec 14
Congratulations to Matt O'Reilly on finishing his 50th marathon in 2:53:01 at the BMW Dallas event. Other Lawrence runners did well in the 10K: Jennifer Kongs, 3rd F30-39, and Doug Hewitt, 2nd M70-79.Also in the marathon were Chris Gilbert (Lawrence, M30-34) in 3:52:08 and Theresa Bowser (Lecompton, F55-59) in 5:47:40. Leeanne Kongs (Topeka, F60-69) did the 5K in 1:00:41.
Dec 7
Our photos from the runLawrence Thanksgiving Day Run are here. Many thanks to John Knepper for capturing the spirit of our run every year.
More photos.
Dec 4
Reminders have been sent by RunSignUp to renew your club membership for 2024. You can renew by clicking on the Join/Renew Now button in the right column. Those who have renewed for the new year are listed below. Thank you everyone for your support in 2023!
Dec 3
Scenes from the 23rd Annual Possum Trot at Slough Creek, Perry Lake.
Nov 25
(John Knepper photo, more photos coming later)
If you won an award at the Thanksgiving Day Run, you can pick it up at Ad Astra Running, 835 Mass., from now until Dec 31st. You get the specially designed medal by VanGo plus a gift coupon from Ad Astra.
Check out the list of award winners (it's not the same as the results page).
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Prize money was offered to the fastest male and female finishers as well as to masters winners (40 years and older).
The masters awards were based on chip time and age-adjusted. This opened up the competition and being younger didn’t necessarily have an advantage. Age-adjusted times are be based on the 2020 USATF MLDR Road age-grading calculator.
The prize money was separate from the age group awards.
(clockwise from upper left: Michelle Andrew, Evan Landes, Kristen Wiens, Don Turner)
Evan Landes, of Lawrence, ran a course record of 14:54 at the Thanksgiving Day 5K to win $250 in prize money for the overall victory. He broke Christian Graham's record of 15:05 from 2021.
Eric Vazquez-Olivas, Bonner Springs, was second in 14:56 and Graham took third in 14:57. These were the first sub-15:00 5K times ever run in Lawrence.
Michelle Andrew, Topeka, ran 20:04 to win the women's prize of $250. At age 51, she was fourth overall behind three high school runners. Under race rules, high school and college runners are not considered for prize money because of potential loss of eligibility.
Kristen Wiens, of Lawrence, won $125 as the masters (over-40) winner. Her 22:11 at age 52 was an age-adjusted 19:23.7 based on World Masters Athletics age-grading tables. It was a close race for the prize as Kimberly Williams, also of Lawrence, at age 67 ran a 26:38 that age-adjusted to 19:24.3.
Don Turner, of Shawnee, was the male masters winner, also won $125. His time of
21:34 at age 74 was an age-adjusted 15:02.
Nov 24
Jerry Jost caught the start of the Thanksgiving Day 5K in north Lawrence.
1140 runners signed up for this year's Thanksgiving Day 5K on a picture perfect fall morning. Several photographers were present to document the event. Dan Hughes captured Cayman Barnes on the levee stretch. Notice she's wearing the Nathan gloves she got for entering the race. Race results
Nov 12
This year's KU Vets Day 5K commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. 474 runners finished the 5K course on the KU campus on a bright, sunny morning.
Nov 8
You can take selfies with the turkey or ear of corn frame cutouts made by local artist Clark Fulton at the Thanksgiving Day Run. RunLawrence appreciates all the local artists who have contributed to our event over the years.
Nov 6
Scenes from the Nov 5th Kansas Half Marathon and 5K.
