19th Annual Key West Half Marathon & 5K Run Reaches Record Numbers

19th Annual Key West Half Marathon & 5K Run Reaches Record Numbers – Woman Takes Top Honors

Posted January 30, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Key West, FL)

The 19th Annual Key West Half Marathon & 5K Run on Sunday, January 15th saw record numbers of runners from many countries. Before the start, the 4,100+ runners were blessed by the Monks of Drepung Gomang and also perfect island weather for a “winter” run.

Competitor Magazine just ranked the race second in its 25 “Can’t-Miss Half Marathons” this year. Race Founder/Director Barb Wright said, “This is the biggest turnout from other countries to date and the race is clearly drawing much interest internationally. And we’re thrilled that in the 19-year history of the race, this is the first time a woman crossed the finish line first overall in the Half Marathon. Congratulations, Julie!”

All 50 States were represented, including big numbers from some — 192 from Pa., 186 from N.Y., 173 from Va., 153 from Michigan, and 128 from N.J. On the international front, we had runners from 27 countries — Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Panama, Puerto Rico, Israel, India, New Caledonia, Seychelles, Morocco, Moldova, Tunisia, Vatican City, England, Columbia, Russia, Czech Republic, Macau, Gabon, Cameroon, Denmark, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Micronesia, British Columbia, Canada, France, and Germany.

Congratulations to all finishers, and especially to the top overall winners:

Half Marathon

Female – Julie Stackhouse (first overall) (Jacksonville, FL) 1:19:03, Caroline Bauer 1:23:06 (Columbia MD), Nicole Esplin (West End, NC) 1:24:34.

Male – Mark Kirkikis 1:20:02 (Orlando, FL), Bryan Stansberry 1:20:43 (Columbus, OH), Ryan Holtz 1:21:25 (Falls Church, VA).

Masters Female – Vivien Wollitz (Coral Springs, FL) 1:34:24, Wendy Fisher (Bethel, PA) 1:39:11, Paula Burks (Marietta, GA) 1:42:57.

Masters Male – Mike Sewell (Camden, DE) 1:24:10, Robert Gealy (Collegeville, PA) 1:25:39, Aldo Virano (Jupiter, FL) 1:27:01.

5K Run

Female – Jenna Stauffer (Key West, FL) 00:21:31, Kathy Jackson (Hollywood, FL) 00:23:30, Nicolette Bastien (Jamestown, RI) 00:23:36.

Male – Edward Clarke (Key West, FL) 00:18:32, Michael Kraus (Tonawanda, NY) 00:19:40, Marcel Nemec (Key West, FL) 00:19:49.

Masters Female – Brooke Ashley (East Freetown, MA) 00:24:32, Lynne Evans (Wallingford, PA) 00:25:32, Robin Fowler (Toronto, ON) 00:25:37.

Masters Male – David Gerber (Traverse City, MI) 00:21:53, Geoff Ewenson (Annapolis, MD) 00:22:05, Clifton Anderson (Warrenton, VA) 00:22:12.

Out on the course lots of live music including the Shanty Hounds, Barry Cuda, Island Time, Ross Brown, and B-Man & Mi-Shell kept the runners entertained, and the after-race party (in typical Key West style) featured Howard Livingston & MM24 on stage, plus free beer, food, and raffle prizes (including a week’s stay in the Caribbean).

Our Race Committee includes: Barb Wright, Race Founder/Director; Evan Snitkoff, Co-Coordinator; Chris Bernier, Course Race Director; Rick McKenzie, Course Layout; Volunteer Coordinator Dennis Gormley & Sibba Mira.

Registration: Linda Meyer, Linda Krieg, Denise Preuss and Key West Sunrise Rotarians–Jim Smith and all their volunteers from Sunrise Rotary. Course Crew: Eric Kennerly and his Coast Guard crew, Stevenson Elcock & Finish line Emcee Tim Dahms, and our Great Local Entertainers on the course.

Thanks to our Retired Military Volunteers from Sigsbee and Trumbo, and all of our charity partners – Key West Sunrise Rotary, (which uses their proceeds for their scholarship program), FKCC Youth Swim Program, Zonta Club of Key West, Southernmost Coconut Castaways, H.O.B. School Programs (A.V.I.D. Class and Athletics), Key West High School Programs (Girls’ Basketball, Track, Booster Club, Conchettes, and A.V.I.D.), Sigsbee Charter School, and the U.S. Coast Guard Ball Committee.

Thanks to our Sponsors: Key West Tourist Development Council, Altra Footwear, Concrete Beach Brewery, Honey Stinger, Half Shell Raw Bar, The Marker Resort, The Waterfront Brewery, Westin Key West Resort & Marina, Historic Inns of Key West, The Oceans Edge Resort, Sun Communications, Elite Caribbean Resorts, and many local businesses that donated great prizes for winners and raffles!

The race was dedicated to Manny Madruga, who was Chief Assistant State Attorney, but whom we lost this year. He was an important figure in our main charity, the Sunrise Rotary, and a dedicated volunteer bike monitor for many years with us.

For information about next year’s 20th Anniversary race, please visit: keywesthalfmarathon.com For general information, please contact Barb Wright at bwpromo3@bellsouth.net or call (305) 240-0727.