Run the Line | Atlanta's Baker finishes as overall winner

TEXARKANA, Ark. - There were no surprise winners in the 13th annual Run The Line half-marathon on Sunday.

John Baker, 24, Atlanta, Texas, was the overall winner with a time of 1:17.15 over the 13.1-mile course across both sides of State Line Avenue.

Seth Hall, 31, of Monroe, La., last year's winner, was second with a 1:18.09, and Brent Coorbitt, 39, Little Rock was third, 1:20.25

It was the same 1-2 finish as last year in the female division with Alexandra Ellis, 29, Shreveport winning with a time of 1:24.42, and Tia Stone, 41, Searcy, Ark., second in 1:26.38, and Allison Mayfield, Shreveport was third, 1:34.37.

"I didn't run as well as I could have," said Baker, who had turned in a time of 1:12 on his registration entry.

Baker, who was born in Texarkana and raised in Atlanta, ran the 1600 and 3200 in high school.

"I'm doing much better in the distance races," Baker added. "I have done four half-marathons, and did my first marathon last December. I like the marathon and plan several more."

Hall had run a marathon four weeks ago. "That takes a little something out of you," said Hall. "I might have run faster, but Baker would have also if he was challenged."

Ellis' time was a little faster than year's 1:25.15.

"I didn't know I had a better time," said Ellis. "Tia Stone is a real good runner and I had to do well to beat her. I love coming here, the people are great, and I will definitely return."

Brad Taylor, 40, Texarkana, was the Masters winner, 1:21.42; Mark Sutherland, 57, Texarkana, won Grand Masters, 1:29.59; and Alan Krenzelok, 63, Hot Springs National, won Seniors title, 1:34.37, and Don Still, 63, Hope, Ark., second, 1:44.45.

Adana Barber, 55, Sachse Texas, won female Masters, 1:36.41; Kathy Stevens, 64, Texarkana, won Grand Masters, 1:53.49; and Karen Kelly, 60, Bella Vista, Ark., won Seniors, 2:00.03.

The top three local and area runners in each age division are as follows:

 

MALE:

12-19: 2. Emiliano Mejia, Texarkana, 1:27.27, 3. Mark Bultemeier, Texarkana, 1:33.59; 20-24; 1. Sean Heany, 1:24.05. 2. Dawson Omalley, 1:41.43, 3. Michael Bollinger, 1:50.45. All from Texarkana; 25-29: 2. Aaron Timmons, Texarkana, 1:40.53, 3. Will Allen, 1:41.56; 35-39: 2. Shaun Cox, Nashville, 1:32.39, 3. Bradley Wright, Texarkana, 1:35.19; 45-49: 2. Clay Hunter, Mt. Pleasant, 1:38.30, 3. Frankie Conway. Texarkana, 1:39.27; 50-54: 1. Jason Barker, De Queen, Ark., 1:36.07; 55-59: 1. Kim Howard, Mineral Springs, Ark., 1:41.36; 70-74: 1. Joseph Kopecky, Hope, Ark., 2:06.25.

 

FEMALE:

12-19: 1. Phoebe Robertson, Texarkana, 1:54.35, 3. Hannah Massey, Texarkana, 2:07.10; 20-24: 2. Jada Fricks, Saratoga, Ark., 1:54.23; 30-34: 3. Stayce Magness, Texarkana, 1:41.32; 35-39: 2. Lacey Young, De Queen, 1:41.19; 45-49: 3. Aya Brown, Hope, 1:56.53; 50-54: 3. Michelle, Ward, Texarkana, 1:58.52; 55-59: 3. Sandra Dixon, Stamps, Ark., 2:05.28.

 

"We had 780 registered runners signed up before Sunday," said race director Julie Ray-Harrison. "I don't know how many signed up this morning. We probably went over the 800 mark."

There were 690 registered runners last year.

Proceeds from the race benefit Partners for the Pathways.

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