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As the first rays of the January sun broke
over the banks of the Tennessee River, the Knoxville Track Club was
ready to stage its 16th annual Calhouns Ten-Miler. |
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The huge crowd erupted at the sound of the
starter's pistol, and the leaders broke away at a lightning pace. |
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Less than a half mile in, the leaders began
to separate themselves from the chase packs. |
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Approaching the one-mile mark, the chase
pack were falling further behind the blistering pace of the leaders. |
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Stewart Ellington still held the lead at
the seven mile marker, but Alan Horton was closing the gap, with 2003
winner Keith Kimmons still in contact. |
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Late in the race, Horton made a move for
which Ellington had no answer. Alan went on to claim both the
victory and a new course record of 52:11. |
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It took an Olympic Trials qualifer to break
the course record set by another Olympic Trials qualifer, as Alan took
down Bill Kabasenche's mark. |
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Ellington didn't give up, and earned second
place, finishing in 52:23. |
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Kimmons, who won the 2003 race, ran two
full minutes faster in this year's competition, yet fell victim to the
record shattering performance and finished third overall. |
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Masters sensation Allen Etheridge ran a
superb sub-55 time to earn overall Masters honors. |
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Jeff Colfer (red cap, right) was the top
grandmasters male. |
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Marsha Morton was third overall female in
this year's race. Marsha has won this race at least four times in
past years, with several other top three finishes. |
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It truly is a long and winding road that
leads from start to finish... |
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At last the grateful runner sees those
yellow digits beckoning, urging, calling, as the race finally draws to a
close. |
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Please join the KTC next year at Calhouns
at the Marina in Lenoir City for another edition of the Calhouns
Ten-Miler, first race of the Winter Long Distance Series. |