Emisael, Montes Take Titles at Roselle

If ever there were a "buenos dias" at the Sternberg Lighting Run for the Roses 5K in Roselle, Sunday was the day. Emisael Favela, fresh off a fifth-place 2:31 at the Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon on May 20, had just enough in his legs to win with a 15:51.6 on a good morning for racing. Favela, 33, of Berwyn, just edged Mitch Gilbert, 20, of Roselle, who had the same time. Luke Bally, 20, of Roselle, took third with a 15:55.7. Favella told me before the race that he never had run Roselle and didn't have much turnover back in his legs after the marathon. Things turned out quite well for him. In the women's race, Columba Montes, 33, of Chicago, took the title with a 17:57.7. Second went to CARA Executive Director Wendy Jaehn, 37, of Chicago, in 18:06.1, and third went to Mary Blankenmeier, just 12, of Oak Park, in 18:31.8. Roselle has a fun and fast course with a few twists and turns and few minor hills. It was really enjoyable to run it again after several years of not running it. As it always is, the fied was very deep with passionate talent. My special thanks go to fellow Elmhurst Running Club member and ABC-7 television reporter John Garcia for keeping me company out there. He had run another race the day before, the Runnin' With the Horses 5K at Balmoral Park in Crete, and was a bit tired. You can read John's report on the weekend at http://runningnewsguy.abc7chicago.com/2012/06/5k-mania.html .