Spain, Lifka Win Peapod Half Madness 13.1

It's back to half-marathon season (does it ever end?), and things got rolling in the Chicago area on Aug. 26 at the Peapod Half Madness 13.1 in Batavia. It was a strong field as alweays for this well-organized race, and leading the way were Mike Spain and Tammy Lifka. Spain, 23, of Normal, is no stranger to me. He won the 2011 4 on the 4th in Elmhurst. In Batavia, he ran a 1:09:37 to easily win over runner-up Nick Hird, 28, of Naperville, who came across in 1:11:57. Hird had run the rugged DeKalb Corn Classic 10K the day before. Third went to Daniel Woldesilassi, 20, of Wheaton, in 1:15:15. In the women's field, Lifka, 42, of Glen Ellyn, had a battle on her hands, but won in 1:24:20. She's also no stranger, having run very well at the 4 on the 4th more thyan once. Second place was taken by Angie Fiese, 35, of Mableton, GA, in 1:24:38, and third went to Jacqui Aubert, 26, of Crystal Lake, IL, in 1:26:51. Special kudos go out to Dave Walters, 57, of Lisle, who finished fifth overall in 1:18:09! There were 986 finishers, and in a somewhat rarity these daysd, there were more men than women, 512-474. Next up on the half "circuit" is the Oak Brook Half Marathon on Monday morning. Registration is still open. Good luck to you, whatever you've got planned this weekend.