FPC alums win 5K and half-marathon

Palm Coast Observer
Sports

The two runners who won the 5K and half-marathon, respectively, have more in common than a 5-minute, 40-second mile pace.

Among the 348 runners Sunday, Jan. 23, at the first Palm Coast half-marathon and 5K, put on by Reinke Sports Group, were Jonathan Alter, of Flagler Beach, who won the 5K, and Brandon Anderson, of Bunnell, who won the half-marathon. Both runners graduated in 2003 from Flagler Palm Coast High School. In fact, they were teammates and training partners on the 2001 and 2002 State Championship Cross-Country teams.

Although both admitted to running a slow time for what they are used to, they both said they surprised themselves with how well they ran.

Anderson and Matt Carr, of Canada, were neck-and-neck for most of the race, Carr finishing only 27 seconds behind Anderson.

While Alter was happy to win, he was also happy to see so many people from his community.

“It is great to see people out here participating,” Alter said.

Alter credits his high school coach, Peter Hophe, for teaching him to want to run for a lifetime.
Both runners are looking forward to next year.

WATER STATIONS

Florida Hospital Flagler provided six water stations throughout the half-marathon course Sunday, Jan. 23. Each water station was led by a management team.

At the end of the race, runners voted for their favorite, naming miles 2 and 6, operated by the volunteer auxiliary and mile 10, run by the nurses, as joint winners.

HALF-MARATHON RESULTS

MALE OVERALL

1. Brandon Anderson 1:16:09

2. Matt Carr 1:16:36

3. Doug Nolan 1:22:33

4. James Wolfe 1:23:02

5. Jim Fullarton 1:23:24

FEMALE OVERALL

1. Heather Koning 1:35:53

2. Nathalie Gauthier 1:36:18

3. Susan De Frees 1:38:03

4. Sheila Sullivan 1:38:58