WIESBADEN, Germany - Runners couldn't have asked for better weather as they took off from the Wiesbaden Fitness Center Sept. 26. More than 30 runners headed out under blue skies from Wiesbaden Army Airfield on the 21-kilometer half marathon course which took them on a sightseeing tour of the countryside around the military base.
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One hour and 21 minutes later Brandon Spellman, a sergeant with Company A, 24th Military Intelligence Battalion, was the first to cross under the inflatable Red Bull arch at the finish line.
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"This run was awesome," said Spellman, praising the course's layout and the weather conditions.
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Spellman explained that the 21-kilometer run was a tune-up for a marathon in Budapest, Hungary, he planned to run the following weekend. "I'm getting sponsored ... I'm running it as a charity event for Fisher House." The first-place finisher added that he had $11,000 in pledges which he would give to the Fisher House organization.
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Jon Clough was the second fastest runner, taking second overall and second in the Men's Open category (ages 18-29), in 1:26:18.
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Renee Davis was the fastest woman, taking first in the Women's Seniors category (ages 26-32) in a time of 1:44:38.
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"This was my first one (half marathon)," said Davis. "I loved it - it was great. I followed people and paced myself."
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Davis said she has been training to run the Frankfurt Marathon in late October.
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"I trained with two of my friends," she said, explaining that in preparation for the marathon she intended to run 20 miles the following week.
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"I love it (running) - really enjoy it," she said, adding, "Everyone should try it. It's fun. ... Enjoy it and start slow."
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Spellman echoed that running was a great stress-buster and morale builder. "It's a good way to vent my stresses. It makes you feel really good about yourself after a long run. ... It's extremely rewarding."
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The former lacrosse player said he started running after not being able to play lacrosse. "I'm working up to the Iron Man. I need to work on my swimming."
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Winners at the Half Marathon by category in order of finish:
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Men's Open: Brandon Spellman, 1:21:00; Jon Clough, 1:26:18; Daniel Strickland, 1:36:05
Women's Open: Lydia Luv, 2:04:49; Martha Alvarado, 2:05:01; Charlene Cowan, 2:23:02
Men's Seniors: Chris Wolfe, 1:38:50; Alex Tomosiaski, 1:50:50; Sascha Kaufman, 1:57:15
Women's Seniors: Renee Davis, 1:44:38; Carmen Clough, 1:45:11; Suzanne Hardy, 1:50:42
Men's Sub-Masters: Dieter Ehrenberger, 1:38:24; Bohn Vail, 1:38:52; Daniel Gilstrop, 1:59:31
Women's Sub-Masters: Veronica Henzi, 2:16:40
Men's Masters: Roger Gerber, 1:40:15
Women's Masters: Daphne Mack, 1:54:58; Brigitte Mollner, 1:57:37; Tresha Davis, 2:12:42
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