Kelly, Dunn Race to Wins at Trout Creek

XTERRA Florida Trail Run Series returns after after winter break

The XTERRA Florida Trail Run Series returned to action last weekend with more than 300 runners participating in the XTERRA Trout Creek Trail Run at Thonotosassa, Fla.

After a three-month winter break, the Florida Series resumed under warm skies and on a fast course at Trout Creek Wilderness Park.

Christopher Kelly of Leesburg, Fla., ran away with the overall victory, completing the 15-kilometer long course in 1 hour, 1 minute, 51 seconds.

"Loved the single track through the woods the most," said Kelly, 29. "The course was a good mix, in and out of the woods. Grass was high some sections out near the berm, but no matter. Nice touch adding hills to climb at the start and a few times later in the run."

Kelly said he got in front after the first mile of the course and stayed in front the rest of the way for what would become the first significant victory of his running career.

The closer race was for second place, as Pedro Meraz of Wesley Chapel, Fla., took the runner-up spot with a time of 1:04:49, and Matt Bertrand of Lakewood Ranch, Fla., was third in 1:05:29. Fourth-place went to 51-year-old Billy McDonald of Bradenton, Fla., with a time of 1:06:06.

Kandis Dunn of Odessa, Fla., placed 16th overall and was the first female finisher with a time of 1:10:11. Dunn, 43, has been the top female finisher at both races in the XTERRA Florida Series so far this year.

She took the lead early in the course and stayed in front of the other women the rest of the way. "The number one difference is I'm not afraid to get out in front at the beginning of the race," she said of her key to victory.

Liza Hash of Inglis, Fla., was second in 1:12:54, and Colleen Nicoulin of Port Orange, Fla., was third in 1:13:15.

"I don't get to run with many females that often on trails," Dunn said. "However, Liza Hash and I have become race friends and it's always nice to have friends on the trail to help push and pull you to the finish line. The one great thing about trail running is we are all friends at the beginning of the race and the end."

In addition to the 15-kilometer long course, there was also a 5K fun run. Duane Rollick was the overall winner of the 5K with a time of 20:38, and Rae Ann Darling-Reed was the first female in 22:16.

For complete results, CLICK HERE.

The next event in the XTERRA Florida Trail Run Series will be the XTERRA Claw Trail Run on April 29 at Lithia, Fla. That race will be the finale of the 2011-12 season.

At the conclusion of the season, the top runner in each respective age group will receive a free entry to represent Florida at the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship in Utah in September.

To register for a Florida Series race or to learn more about it, please visit www.tamparaces.com.

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