2020 provided another perfect race day for the Lloyd Clarke Sports Newnan's Lake 15k. Weather was sunny with temps in the 40s at the start.

I didn't find any photos of me racing, but I did take a photo of the lake before the start.



I am really happy with my race. I finished about a minute faster than my stretch goal, with a time of 1:02:01 (or 6:40 per mile).

The shirt this year was great -- tech fabric with long-sleeves:



Life isn't getting any easier in the Masters division around here. Four guys over 40 were ahead of me.

The event was held on January 25, 2020. Race results are posted here:

https://results.rmraces.live/Start-2-...5k/results

The Lloyd Clarke Sports Race Series is a grand prix of three races:

Turkey Trot 10k 1018
Newnans Lake 15k 2019
Trail of Payne 10k 2019

This is one of the few years where I was actually able to run all three races. This post will be a combo post for the series. Trail of Payne 2019 was the final race and I am pleased with where I am on my comeback to fitness after a pretty tough year.


For the Turkey Trot I decided to wear a turkey costume and have a good time. I finished in 43:41 (avg. 7:02 per mile).



For the Newnans Lake 15k I have no pictures! But I finished in 1:04:15 (avg. 6:54 per mile).

Trail of Payne 10k was enjoyable on a nice cool morning. Finish time was 40:59 (avg. 6:45 per mile) which was good enough to win the overall Master division.


Photo by Cathy Bester


Photo by Cathy Bester

One of the neater trophies I have received:



Race series finishers received a nice pint glass:

2019 was another enjoyable GATE River Run 15k experience.

I rode the Florida Track Club bus to Jacksonville on the morning of the race. This required an early wakeup, but it was nice not having to worry about parking. The bus takes us inside the event grounds, very close to the registration area and post-race festivities. It is nice to just hop on the bus after drinking some free beers. :)

Finish time was 1:03:17 (avg 6:49 min/mi). I earned a Top-10% finisher hat.

This is going to barely be a race report. I find myself too busy to write very much or very often.

I rode the Florida Track Club bus to Jacksonville on the day of the race which was a great way to travel so early in the morning and not have to worry about parking. The bus parked inside the event grounds, very close to the registration area and post-race festivities.

I was not in top shape for racing, still fighting with some unhappy muscles / tendons here and there, so I planned to go out conservatively to see how I felt. This strategy worked well, I was able to keep my pace consistent throughout the race, push all the way up the Hart bridge and right over the top and have a very strong final mile.

My final time was 1:01:53 (avg. 6:38 per mile) which was good enough to earn a Top 10% finisher hat.

Some pics:


photo credit: marathon-photos.com

What a wonderful day for the 1st annual Gate2Gate Trail Run back in October. I ran the 25k.

At dawn's first light, ready to go (I'm on the left wearing the Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra Set Hydration Vest and Under Armour - The Flash compression shirt):


Photo Credit: Cathy Bester

The 50k and 25k runners started together with a real shotgun start (boom!):


Photo Credit: Cathy Bester