Nippy temps greeted a record field Saturday morning in the 10th annual Paper Chase 5K presented by the EZBO Foundation in downtown Huntsville.
Grattan O’Neill, 17, of Huntsville, took top honors with a time of 15:30, a 5-minute per-mile pace. O’Neill is a regular on the winner’s podium in area events and has a storied history.
Right behind in second and third was the Huntsvile couple of Myles Scarano, 31, in second in 17:14, and Alana Scarano, 31, in third in 17:30. Both are accomplished runners, collegiately and locally. They swept the Spooktacular 5K podium last October. Alana claimed the Ditto Landing 10K women’s crown in November while Myles took third.
Always a local favorite, the Paper Chase 5K had a record field of 438 finishers, far more than the 321 last year. Saturday’s turnout was one of the biggest 5K fields in the area. Total registration was 572, about 150 more than last year. The race raised about $50,000 for Free 2 Teach.
The race started at Constitution Village and followed a familar route through the courthouse square and parts of old town. The Paper Chase 5K is put on by Free 2 Teach, serves 113 public schoools and more than 20,000 teachers in Madison and Limestone counties year-round with a free supply store for classrooms.
“We added 25 more schools recently,” said Alison Kling, executive director for Free 2 Teach. “I’m thrilled with this year’s registration and field of runners. We want to continue growing this event, as well as our support for the teachers and students in the area.”
Laurel Beversdorf, 44, of Huntsville, took Women’s Master’s honors with a swift 21:45. She was 10th overall. Chip Thigpen, 52, of Owens Cross Roads, won Men’s Master’s honors with 21:42. He finished ninth.
With the focus on helping teachers and schools, one of the top things about the race is the number of youngsters in the field. The age 1-9 boys and girls groups, for example, had 49 finishers. The ages 10-14 groups had another 53 runners.
Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary won the School Challenge. Mt. Carmel Elementary and Endeavor Elementary were second and third.
The race was facilitated by Fleet Feet.
See all of the Paper Chase 5K age group results here and full results here.
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