Top 10 filled with local flavor at MADD Dash 5K in Tampa

Lisa Williams, 31 of Largo, had the highest finish of any local runner at Saturday's MADD Dash 5K in Tampa.

Williams' time of 20:29 was good for third place among female competitors. Also finishing in the top 10 were Debra Donald (fourth), St. Petersburg, 21:16; Whit Lasseter (sixth), Palm Harbor, 21:43; Yvonne Bryant (seventh), Clearwater, 22:58; Mary Margaret Mason (ninth), Safety Harbor, 23:17 and Elizabeth Mason (10th), Safety Harbor, 23:34.

Donald won the grandmaster division, and Elizabeth Mason was the top female high school runner.

Carrie Birth of Maineville, Ohio, was the female champion after crossing the line in 18:53.

In the men's competition, Trey Howell, 30 of St. Petersburg, was the only local runner to place in the top 10. Howell was seventh in 18:25. The men's champion, Tampa's Eric Hall, ran the 5K in 16:44 to win.

Age group winners from Sunday's race include: (F10-14) Mary Margaret Mason; (M15-19) Park Suski, Seminole, 18:41; (F30-34) Williams; (F40-44) Bryant; (M60-64) Albert Wieringa, St. Petersburg, 19:40; Duncan Cameron, Palm Harbor, 20:44.

JACKSONVILLE MARATHON: In ideal running conditions, James Duncan, 38 of Largo, needed just three hours, eight minutes and 16 seconds to complete the 21st annual Jacksonville Marathon on Dec. 20. Among local marathoners competing, Duncan, who finished 46th overall and eighth in his age group, was the fastest.

Heather Ellison, 38 of Clearwater, was the fastest local woman competing at the marathon. Ellison's time of 3:57:34 was good for 86th overall and 16th in her age group.

Local runners who completed the marathon include: Alastair Baillie, St. Petersburg, 3:23:15; Steven Byrne, St. Petersburg, 3:30:45; Walter Sieg, Palm Harbor, 3:32:23; Chris Pedersen, St. Petersburg, 3:36:50; John Turley, Palm Harbor, 3:54:04; Georgia Pedersen, St. Petersburg, 3:57:59; Juliana Stewart, Clearwater, 4:00:51; Lorrie Park, Seminole, 4:03:08; Anna Reschar, St. Petersburg, 4:10:10; Davin Shiner, St. Petersburg, 4:23:08; Susan St. John, St. Petersburg, 4:32:48; Dave Wawrzynski, St. Petersburg, 4:32:49; Terri Curtis, Palm Harbor, 4:48:43; Joseph Hencoski, Seminole, 4:52:33.

2010 TEXAS SWIM STARS STROKE CLINIC: The Clearwater Aquatic Team is hosting the 2010 Texas Swim Stars Stroke Clinic from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Long Center in Clearwater.

The clinic is designed to teach swimmers how to refine and perfect their strokes and turns.

Headlining the list of instructors is two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time world championship gold medalist Garrett Weber-Gale. In addition, World University Games medalists and Olympic trials finalists Michael Klueh and Matt Lowe will be on hand to share their expertise.

Weber-Gale, Klueh and Lowe will be available for a half-hour after the clinic for pictures and autographs.

The cost is $30 (cash only) per swimmer. Registration will start at 12:30 p.m. the day of the clinic at the west entrance of the Long Center pool, and registration is limited to the first 150 swimmers who sign up.

For more information, call (727) 791-9542 or e-mail alex@clearwateraquatics.com.

BUSSMAN WINS AWARD: Jane Bussman, 90 of Clearwater, placed first in the 90-year-old and up division at the Say No to Drugs 5K Saturday, Dec. 19.

Bussman, who turned 90 just days before the 5K, completed race in just more than an hour to win her age group.

Bryan Burns can be reached at bburns@sptimes.com