Sunsets at Pier 60 series championship starts to take shape

Kenneth City resident Mark Benjamin, 21, put his name in the running for the Sunsets at Pier 60 5K series championship with a first-place performance Friday.

Benjamin was the overall champion at the second race in the series that takes place along Clearwater Beach. His time of 17:22 was more than a half-minute faster than his nearest competitor, Sean Gallagher, 28 of Clearwater (17:59). Zach Hoge, 18 of St. Pete Beach, came in third at 18:04.

Christa Stephens, 26 of St. Petersburg, was a first-time series winner on the female side. She completed the race in 19:07 to come in well ahead of second-place Kari Grippo (20:30), who won the series' first race June 4.

In order to be eligible for the series championship, a runner must participate in at least three of the four events. The final races will be held July 9 and July 23.

Age group winners from Pinellas County: (F10 and under) Annabella Mowry, Dunedin, 27:32; (M11-12) Parker Lewis, Largo, 27:18; (F11-12) Julia Siegel, Tarpon Springs, 31:48; (M13-14) Hunter McCann, Treasure Island, 19:19; (F13-14) Bobbi LaBrant, Largo, 23:27; (M15-19) Tyler Lewis, Largo, 18:07; (F15-19) Alicia Aldridge, Palm Harbor, 23:20; (M30-34) Kyle Buck, Clearwater, 20:15; (F30-34) Lisa Williams, Largo, 21:45; (F35-39) Dawn Sterns, Palm Harbor, 23:25; (M40-44) Bill Cottrell, Belleair, 21:27; (M45-49) Keith Sawayda, Clearwater, 18:34; (M50-54) Dennis Byron, Palm Harbor, 19:22; (F50-54) Carol Bancroft, Safety Harbor, 23:23; (M55-59) Ron Murawsky, Clearwater, 20:39; (M60-64) Chris Zucker, Pinellas Park, 23:23; (F60-64) Pam Hunter, St. Petersburg, 54:37; (M65-69) Duncan Cameron, Palm Harbor, 23:00; (F65-69) Annette Frisch, St. Petersburg, 29:17; (F70-74) Terri Sullivan, Tarpon Springs, 39:52.

TRI IF YOU DARE: Jacob Endrulat of North Redington Beach claimed first place in the 13- to 15-year-old age group at the sixth annual Tri if you Dare kids triathlon in Seminole on Sunday.

Covering a course that included a 1.2-mile run, 3.9-mile bike and 150-yard swim, Endrulat came across the finish line in 19:49.

The girls 13-15 champion was Sarah Sykes of Largo. Her winning time was 21:35.

In the 11-12 group, Summer Kanstoroom of St. Petersburg was the girls champion in 22:53.

The top runners for each age: (F11) Ellie Schaaf, Largo, 24:49; (F12) Catherine McClure, Seminole, 24:20; (F13) Jennifer Kistemaker, Largo, 24:38; (F14) Caroline Condon, St. Petersburg, 21:39; (F15) Alexandra Steele, Largo, 24:57; (M12) Zachary Quilty, St. Petersburg, 22:21; (M13) Scott Kremser, Largo, 23:25; (M14) Kyle Deschenes, Largo, 21:58; (M15) Justin Heath, Seminole, 21:39.

The course for 7- to 10-year-olds covered 100 yards in the water, 2.6 miles on the bike and .6 miles on land.

Reagan Quilty of St. Petersburg was the girls champion for 9- to 10-year-olds with a time of 13:59. Among 7- to 8-year-olds, Largo's Ava Sykes was the first place girl with a time of 16:10 and Coleman Inglima of Clearwater took first place for the boys in 15:57.

The top runners for each age were: (F7) Kaci Anderson, Largo, 19:54; (F8) Emerson Quilty, St. Petersburg, 16:33; (F10) Cinzia Burge, Seminole, 16:52; (M7) Alexander Verhunce, Largo, 17:00; (M9) Jared Kanstoroom, St. Petersburg, 15:07; (M10) Matthew Wohlwend, St. Petersburg, 13:35.

Trevor Parks of Clearwater was the fastest runner in the super junior division for 5- and 6-year-olds. Parks completed the 25-yard swim, 1-mile bike and quarter-mile run in 9:18.

The top runners in the 5- to 6-year-old competition: (F5) Anna Cubito, St. Petersburg, 11:58; (F6) Claire Timberlake, Largo, 11:23; (M6) Wesley Jadus, St. Petersburg, 9:30.

USA FIT-TAMPA BAY: USA Fit-Tampa Bay is accepting new members for the 2010-11 race season. The program, which helps runners train for their first marathon or half-marathon and is designed for all levels, includes weekly training runs coached by experienced runners, online discussion forums, seminars and a comprehensive training schedule. For more information visit www.tampabayfit.com. Registration and orientation begin at 7 a.m. July 17 in St. Petersburg at North Shore Park.

RAP RIVER RUN UPDATE: Debra Donald, 52 of St. Petersburg, was awarded the female masters title at the Rap River Run on June 12 after it was learned the initial winner had been incorrectly identified. Donald's time was 21:55.

Cindy Miller, 57 of Oldsmar, was declared the female grandmasters champion with her time of 24:20.

Ellen Kohn, 59 of Palm Harbor, won the female 55- to 59-year-old age group in 24:46.

THREEPEAT: The McCann family of Treasure Island won three titles at Saturday's Beat the Heat Run Series at E.L. Bing Park in Seffner.

Hunter McCann was second overall and first in the 14 and under age group with a time of 18:37.

Pamela McCann was the top runner in the female 40- to 44-year-old age group in 25 minutes.

Chuck McCann was first in the male 55- to 59-year-old age group after crossing the finish line in 26:45.