Sunday, June 3, 2012

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 .

4 comments:

Keith Burns said...

"Luke Bally, 2, of Roselle, took third with a 15:55.7."

Those young runners keep getting younger and faster!

Eileen said...

And Bob Richards ran a heck of a race, too. Quite the competition in your age group.... what the heck are you guys eating for dinner the night before the race because I want what you're having....

Bob Richards said...

Thanks. It is a tough age group. That's for sure. Wheaties works, but wheat beer is better!

Bob Richards said...

And yes, Keith, those 2-year-olds are really something! Someday, the kid might be good enough to run for Fossil Velocity!